Samoyed
This breed was used to herding reindeer by the Samoyedic peoples of Siberia.
Shar-pei
The Shar-pei is known for its wrinkly skin, and its name translates to “sandy skin”, obviously referring to the rough texture of its coat. The dogs were originally bred for boar hunting in their native China.
Dalmatian
These dogs were originally used as carriage dogs, and would also be running in front of fire carriages to clear a path to get the firefighters to the fires quickly.
Bulldog
Unsurprisingly Bulldogs were bred for bull baiting. Luckily this isn’t common anymore, and they make lovely pets.
Mastiff
Apparently the name of the breed is derived from a French word “Mastin” meaning “watchdog”.
Finnish lapphund
The Finnish Lapphund was been used to herd reindeer in its native country; Finland, as its name suggests. The breed is not often found outside of the Nordic countries though.
Pug (black)
The breed stems from China, and were mostly bred for companionship.
Pug (tan)
A tan version of the pug, which is also one of the more common colours of the breed.
Beagle
The breed is known as a scent hound, meaning they’re great sense of smell, and were used in hare hunting, known as “beagling”.
Standard poodle
The Standard poodle is bred to be a gun dog, and retrieving dog, often used in duck hunting. The name of the breed is also derived from the German word for puddle.
Miniature poodle
The Miniature poodles, unlike its bigger counter part, the Standard poodle, were bred for companionship. However, the smaller version of the breed also gets one of its popular and well known cuts; the lion cut, pictured here.
Toy poodle
Poodles also come in the toy size, which was also bred for companionship. I can only imagine this size being popular with city dwellers who might not have a lot of room for a dog.
Norwegian elkhound
The breed has been used for hunting, guarding, defending and herding. It might be a medium sized dog, but it’s used to tracked big animals like moose, elk and even bears.
Chow Chow
This breed is well known for its blue tongue, and big fluffy fur.
Greyhound
These dogs are sprinters, and known for being used in Greyhound racing, as the name suggests. They’re also said to make good family pets, and many retired racing dogs retire to a more docile life.
Boston terrier
This dapper little breed is also known as the American Gentleman.
Border collie
The Border Collie was originally bred to herd sheep and other livestock. They’re known for being very intelligent and trainable.
Akita
The most famous Japanese Akita of the breed may be Hachikō, who would follow his owner to and from the train station, and kept waiting at the station after his owner passed away.
German shepherd
This breed is well known for being used in search and rescue, as well as work with police and military.
Icelandic sheepdog
As the name suggests they were bred to herd sheep in the Icelandic countryside.
Alaskan malamute
This breed was bred for strength and endurance and was therefore used to haul heavy freight, and later used as sled dogs.
Labrador retriever
The labrador is a breed known for its work as guide dogs, therapy dogs, detection dogs for law enforcement, and in hunting. They also area popular family pet.
Saint Bernard
This big breed stems from the St. Bernard Pass on the Italian-Swiss Border where they were used as rescue dogs.
Keeshond
Also nicknamed The Smiling Dutchman. Apparently the breed somehow ended up being the symbol for a rebellion against the House of Orange.
Siberian Husky
A breed well known for its use for sled-pulling
Shiba Inu
A Japanese breed originally used for hunting. Apparently it’s name translates to “brushwood dog”.
Pembrook Welsh corgi
This breed was originally bred to be cattle dog, which might be hard to believe due to its small stature. This breed is also well known for being loved by Queen Elizabeth, who has owned more 30 dogs of the breed during her reign.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The name Corgi is derived from the Welsh ‘Cor gi’ meaning ‘Dwarf dog’. While we often talk about the Corgi as one breed there are actually two distinct breeds, with different standards. The Cardigan tends to have more colour variation.
Eurasier
This dog was bred for companionship.
Jack Russell terrier
This little breed tend to be bundles of energy, and therefore tend to need lots of stimulation and exercise.
Pomeranian
This toy-sized breed was apparently a much bigger type of dog, but has shrunk the cute little dog we know today.
Dachshund - smooth-haired
The Dachshund, also known as the wiener dog or sausage dog. They were actually bred to be a scent hound, and would chase and flush out badgers and other burrow animals. The breed comes in three different fur varieties: smooth-haired, wire-haired and long-haired.
Dachshund - wire-haired
A small breed with a long body and short legs, which is perfect for hunting burrow animals, as it would easiliy fit into borrows and make it easier to flush out the prey.
Great Dane
Also know as the Apollo of dogs. Pictured is the Harlequin variation, which is seemingly the most popular but rarest colour of the breed.
Rottweiler
This breed is well known for its guard dog abilities, but were actually originally used for herding livestock and pulling carts.
Golden retriever
This breed know as a gun dog and would retrieve game such as ducks. They’re bred and trained to have a soft mouths meaning they retrieve the animals without additional harm.