Have you ever wondered how a dog breed got its name? Me too. In this article, we go through the origins of each dog breed’s name.

The list of 198 dog breeds comes from the dog breeds registered with the American Kennel Club.

All names are in alphabetical order.

How Each Dog Breed Got Its Name

Here is the name origin for each dog breed listed in the American Kennel Club. We only used the names listed in each of the American Kennel Clubs seven dog breed groups.

Each name has been painstakingly searched for, and if there are any mistakes please leave a comment below to have it corrected. 

The hardest part of putting this list together is that many breeds have different stories as to how they got their name. 

We tried our best in making this the most accurate list for you by finding reputable websites like the American Kennel Club to get our information.

Enjoy!

American Kennel Club’s Dog Breeds A to Z (Name History)

1) How Did The Affenpinscher Get Its Name?

This German breed was developed to hunt rats in the 1600s. Its name translates to monkey dog or ape terrier. (Source)

2) How Did The Afghan Hound Get Its Name?

The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest breeds known. Its name comes from its probable origin. 

Although that predates written history. It is believed to have originated from the area that encompasses Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. (Source)

3) How Did The Airedale Terrier Get Its Name?

The Airedale Terrier is named for its place or origin. The Aire Valley is located in the northern section of England, where this breed was developed. (Source)

4) How Did The Akita Get Its Name?

The Akita is named for its place of origin. They were developed in the Japanese prefecture of Akita. (Source)

5) How Did The Alaskan Malamute Get Its Name?

This breed from Alaska is named for its developers. The Mahlemiut tribe are responsible for the development of this particular breed. (Source)

6) How Did The American English Coonhound Get Its Name?

The American English Coonhound is named for both its ancestral bloodlines and place of origin. They descend from the English Foxhounds that were brought to America and breed to hunt raccoons. (Source)

7) How Did The American Eskimo Dog Get Its Name?

This breed, formerly known as the German Spitz had its name changed after WWI. A breeder in Ohio came up with the name American Eskimo dog. (Source)

8) How Did The American Foxhound Get Its Name?

The American Foxhound gets its name from its place of origin. George Washington and many other prominent Americans loved to hunt foxes. 

They brought Foxhounds from England and France and the American Foxhound was born. (Source)

9) How Did The American Hairless Terrier Get Its Name?

The American Hairless Terriers name for its place of origin. This breed was developed in the United States and is hairless. (Source)

10) How Did The American Staffordshire Terrier Get Its Name?

The American Staffordshire Terrier is named for its place of origin. In the US Americans bred a larger version of the Staffordshire terrier, which originated from Staffordshire England. (Source)

11) How Did The American Water Spaniel Get Its Name?

The American Water Spaniel was developed in the upper Midwest of the United States as a breed to help hunters retrieve waterfowl. Thus the name American Water Spaniel. (Source)

12) How Did The Anatolian Shepherd Dog Get Its Name?

The Anatolian Shepherd dog is named for its place of origin. The Turkish breed was developed in Anatolia, the Asian part of Turkey. (Source)

13) How Did The Australian Cattle Dog Get Its Name?

The Australian Cattle Dogs was developed in Australia to help with the continent’s beef industry. They needed a dog that was suitable for the high temperatures, rough terrain, and vast distances needed to travel. 

Hence the dog became known as the Australian Cattle Dog. (Source)

14) How Did The Australian Shepherd Get Its Name?

The Australian Shepherd gets its name because of a misunderstanding. This occurred when Basque Shepherds traveled from Australia to California with their herding dogs, which were an intentional mix breed with Pyrenean Shepherd, Collies, and Border Collies among others. 

The Californians assumed this was an Australian dog breed and the name stuck. (Source)

15) How Did The Australian Terrier Get Its Name?

The Australian Terrier is named for its place of origin. English settlers brought terriers to Australia. (Source)

16) How Did The Azawakh Get Its Name?

The Azawakh’s name comes from its place of origin. The breed is from the Azawakh Valley, an area near Mali and Niger. 

Its local name means sighthound of the free people.  (Source)

17) How Did The Barbet Get Its Name?

This French breed is named for its coat. It has a distinct beard called a French Barb. This is where the breed’s name comes from. (Source)

18) How Did The Basenji Get Its Name?

The Basenji is an ancient breed that was once given as gifts in ancient Egypt. The name Basenji translates to the jumping up and down dog. (Source)

19) How Did The Basset Hound Get Its Name?

Basset Hounds are a breed that originated in France and Belgium. Its name comes from its stature. Basset in French translates to low. (Source)

20) How Did The Beagle Get Its Name?

The Beagle is an ancient breed and its name origin is contested. Some believe it’s a reference to the Gaelic word Beag, which means little. 

Others believe that it comes from the French term be’geule. This is the sound hounds make while hunting. (Source)

21) How Did The Bearded Collie Get Its Name?

The Bearded Collies are named for their shaggy coats and hairy faces. They are formerly known as Scotch Sheepdog, Mountain Collie, Highland Collie, and Hairy Mou’ed Collie. 

Bearded Collie’s are valued for their ability to herd cattle and sheep. (Source)

22) How Did The Beauceron Get Its Name?

The Beauceron is a shepherd that originates from France. It is named for a large agricultural region to the southwest of Paris. 

The Beauceron also goes by the names Berger de Bauce and Bas Rouge, or Beauce Shepherd and red stockings, a reference to the coloration of the breeds’ paws. (Source)

23) How Did The Bedlington Terrier Get Its Name?

The Bedlington Terrier is named for its place of origin. In this case, Bedlington is a mining shire in Northumberland, England. (Source)

24) How Did The Belgian Laekenois Get Its Name?

The Belgian Laekenois is named for the town of Laeken. This Belgium sheepdog serves as a messenger dog in WWI and WWII. (Source)

25) How Did The Belgian Malinois Get Its Name?

The name Belgian Malinois derives from the area in Belgium that this breed originated. This is the city of Malines, which is in the northwest area of Belgium. 

In some countries, the Belgian Malinois is known as a Belgian Sheepdog. This classification also includes the Tervuren, Laekenois, and Belgian Shepherd. (Source)

26) How Did The Belgian Sheepdog Get Its Name?

Belgium Sheepdog is well known for its dairy farming and livestock. In order to keep up with demand, the Belgians needed a reliable Cattle herding dog. 

They were formerly known as the Groenendael due to an important breeder named Nicolas Rose, who owned a restaurant named the Chateau Groenendael. (Source) 

27) How Did The Belgian Tervuren Get Its Name?

Named for the town of Tervuren, which happened to be the home of M.F. Corbeel. Corbeel was a master breeder and helped to standardize the Tervuren.

It is known as the Chien de Berger Belge or Belgian sheepdog in its native land. (Source)

28) How Did The Bergamasco Get Its Name?

The Bergamasco’s name derives from a town that it is strongly associated with, Bergamo. The Italian town is close to Milan and has been home to the breed for centuries. (Source) 

29)  How Did The Berger Picard Get Its Name?

The Berger Picard is named after the region in France from which it originates, Picardy.

In some countries, it is known as the Picardy Shepherd. In fact, Berger Picard translates to Picard Shepherd. (Source)

30) How Did The Bernese Mountain Dog Get Its Name?

This Swiss breed is named for its place of origin. They were developed in the mountainous canton of Bern. (Source)

31) How Did The Bichon Frise Get Its Name?

The Bichon Frise gets its name from France, where it was an aristocratic lapdog. They were called Bichon a Poil Frise or Bichon of the curly hair. Bichon in French means small dog. (Source) 

32) How Did The Black and Tan Coonhound Get Its Name?

The Black and Tan Coonhounds name derives from the purpose of the breed. They were made to hunt raccoons in the American frontier. 

Their color scheme is the source of the rest of its name. (Source)

33) How Did The Black Russian Terrier Get Its Name?

This Russian breed is named for the all-black color of its coat. (Source)

34) How Did The Bloodhound Get Its Name?

The Bloodhound’s name comes from its origin. The breeding program that led to the creation of the Bloodhound was so precise it became known as blooded hounds.

 Blooded refers to aristocratic blood. (Sources)

35) How Did The Bluetick Coonhound Get Its Name?

The Bluetick Coonhound is named for its coat and its job. These hounds were bred to hunt raccoons in the United States.

 The blue tick refers to their black and blue ticked coat. (Source)

36) How Did The Boerboel Get Its Name?

The South African Boerboel has a name that roughly translates to a farmer’s dog in Dutch. (Source)

37) How Did The Border Collie Get Its Name?

The Border Collie was originally developed in Scotland and did well at its job as a sheepdog. 

The area the Border Collie worked in was the region on the border of Scotland and England. Hence its name Border. 

The word “collie” is a Scotch word used to describe sheepdogs. Because this breed flourished in the border region, it was christened the “Border Collie.” (Source)

38) How Did The Border Terrier Get Its Name?

The Border Terrier is named for its place of origin. It was bred on the border of England and Scotland. (Source)

39) How Did The Borzoi Get Its Name?

Borzoi comes from the Russian word borzyi, which means swift. These dogs were used to hunt wolves in Russia. (Source)

40) How Did The Boston Terrier Get Its Name?

The Boston terrier is named for its place of origin. The ancestor of all Boston Terriers, Judge, was housed in Boston, Massachusetts and the breed grew from there. (Source)

41) How Did The Bouvier des Flandres

The Bouvier des Flanders was renowned as a herder, watchdog, guardian, and cart puller. Its name comes from its region of origin, Flanders. 

This area encompasses parts of modern-day France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Bouvier des Flanders translates to Cowherd of Flanders. (Source)

42) How Did The Boxer Get Its Name?

The Boxer is named for the way it fights. They tend to use their paws as a boxer would. (Source)

43) How Did The Boykin Spaniel Get Its Name?

The Boykin Spaniel is named for its place of origin. The South Carolina community of Boykin is the area this breed was created in. It is also the official dog of South Carolina. (Source)

44) How Did The Briard Get Its Name?

The Briard is a great sheepherder and tough guardians. They are names for the region of France from which they derive. 

Brie, which is famous for its cheese, valued these dogs as herders and guardians. Their French name is Chien Berger de Brie, or Brie Shepherd Dog. (Source) 

45) How Did The Brittany Get Its Name?

The Brittany is named for its place of origin. Brittany is an area of France that stretches from the English Channel to the Bay of Biscay. (Source)

46) How Did The Brussels Griffon Get Its Name?

The Brussels Griffon was developed in Brussels Belgium. They were originally known as griffons d’ecurie or wire coated stable dogs. (Source)

47) How Did The Bull Terrier Get Its Name?

The Bull Terrier is named for its ancestral past. The breed was a mix of Bulldogs and other Terriers, thus the name. (Source)

48) How Did The Bulldog Get Its Name?

Bulldogs are named for the sport they were bred for. Bull Baiting required packs of dogs to fight a bull. Bulldogs were bred for this purpose by the English. (Source) 

49) How Did The Bullmastiff Get Its Name?

The Bullmastiff is named for its genetics. The breed is a combination of bulldog and mastiffs. (Source)

50) How Did The Cairn Terrier Get Its Name?

The Cairn Terrier is named for its job. In Scotland, the breed was used to clear rodents from cairns, or graves. (Source)

51) How Did The Cane Corso Get Its Name?

The Cane Corsos name comes from a few places. Cane means dog in Italian. Corso is a reference to the Latin Cohors or guardian. (Source)

52) How Did The Cannan Dog Get Its Name?

Cannan dogs are named after their region of origin. This is an area of the middle east that includes parts of modern-day Israel, Lebanon, and small parts of other bordering countries. (Source)

53) How Did The Cardigan Welsh Corgi Get Its Name?

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is one of the oldest breeds in Britain. The name Corgi comes from an ancient Celtic meaning dog.

The rest of its name comes from Cardiganshire, Wales, a medieval kingdom home to the breed. (Source)

54) How Did The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Get Its Name?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was brought about by Roswell Eldridge. He loved the old style spaniels beloved by King Charles I and II. 

 Cavalier refers to the monarchist party. They ultimately helped lead to the demise of King Charles I. (Source)

55) How Did The Cesky Terrier Get Its Name?

The Cesky Terrier is named for its place of origin. This breed was born in the Czech Republic. Cesky means and is pronounced like Czech. (Source)

56) How Did The Chesapeake Bay Retriever Get Its Name?

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is named for its place of origin. Americans living in the Chesapeake Bay area developed this breed to help retrieve ducks from the bay. (Source)

57) How Did The Chihuahua Get Its Name?

The famed Chihuahua is named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where Americans began to have an interest in the breed. (Source)

58) How Did The Chinese Crested Get Its Name?

The Chinese Crested was a ship dog for the Chinese who helped with ship rats. The word crested refers to the fur on their head. (Source)

59) How Did The Chinese Shar-Pei Get Its Name?

The Chinese Shar-Pei gets its name from its coat. Shar-Pei translates to sand-skin. This is a reference to its rough sandy coat. (Source) 

60) How Did The Chinook Get Its Name?

These sled dogs are named after their creator’s lead sled dog Chinook. The name is Native American for warm wind. (Source)

61) How Did The Chow Chow Get Its Name?

The name Chow Chow comes from an old English expression which meant etcetera. When the English got these dogs from China, they were labeled under other miscellaneous items or Chow Chow. (Source)

62) How Did The Cirneco Dell’Etna

The Cirneco is an offshoot of a dog that was bartered across the Mediterranean. Cirneco is Greek for a dog of Cyrene aka Libya.

 Dell’Etna refers to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. (Source)

63) How Did The Clumber Spaniel Get Its Name?

The Clumber Spaniel is named for the estate of its creator. In the 1700s the Duke of Newcastle perfected the Clumber Spaniel and they were named for his estate Clumber Park.  (Source)

64) How Did The Cocker Spaniel Get Its Name?

The Cocker Spaniel is named for its quarry. The Cocker Spaniel was bred to specialize on woodcock. (Source)

65) How Did The Collie Get Its Name?

The Collie is a herding dog that rose to fame in the 19^th century when Queen Victoria popularized the breed among her court. 

It is believed that its name derives from a type of sheep called a Colley. (Source)

66) How Did The Coton De Tulear Get Its Name?

The Coton De Tulear is named for its coat. Coton is French for Cotton, which describes its white fluffy coat. Tulear is a seaport town in Madagascar where the breed was loved by nobles. (Source)

67) How Did The Curly-Coated Retriever Get Its Name?

The Curly-Coated Retriever is named for its distinctive Curly Coat. (Source)

68) How Did The Dachshund Get Its Name?

Dachshunds originate from Germany. In German, its name means Badger dog.  They hunted badgers, and packs could take down wild boar. (Source)

69) How Did The Dalmatian Get Its Name?

The Dalmatian gets its name from a region it became closely associated with. Dalmatia is an area of Central Europe close to the Adriatic Sea. (Source)

70) How Did The Dandie Dinmont Terrier Get Its Name?

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is named for a character created by Scottish novelist Sir Walker Scott that was named Dandie Dinmont. (Source)

71) How Did The Doberman Pinscher Get Its Name?

This German breed is named for its creator. Louis Dobermann developed the breed to help collect taxes. (Source)

72) How Did The Dogo Argentino Get Its Name?

This Argentinian breed is named for its place of origin. Its name translates to the Argentine dog. (Source)

73) How Did The Dogue de Bordeaux Get Its Name?

This French breed is named for its place of origin. Dogue de Bordeaux translates to Mastiff of Bordeaux, a city in France. (Source)

74) How Did The English Cocker Spaniel Get Its Name?

The English Cocker Spaniel is the English Variant of the Cocker Spaniel. Named for its quarry, the woodcock. (Source)

75) How Did The English Foxhound Get Its Name?

The English Foxhound originated in England. Hunting foxes were a big pastime in England and this breed was the premier foxhunting breed in England. (Source)

76) How Did The English Setter Get Its Name?

The English Setter is named for its place of origin and how it functioned in the field. In England, these setters were taught to lay down quietly (set) when they found birds. (Source) 

77) How Did The English Springer Spaniel Get Its Name?

The English Springer Spaniel was a breed developed in England. They were bred to help hunters by flushing out or springing birds. (Source)

78) How Did The English Toy Spaniel Get Its Name?

The English Toy Spaniel is named for both its size and its place of origin. This breed was created in the Victoria era of Great Britain. (Source)

79) How Did The Entlebucher Mountain Dog Get Its Name?

The name of this breed comes from its place of origin, the area encompassing the valley of the Entlebuch river. 

It is also known as der Lachen Hunden or the laughing dog because of its love for its work. (Source)

80) How Did The Field Spaniel Get Its Name?

The Field Spaniel was bred specifically as a show dog. It’s named for its history, as its predecessors were springers and would flush out birds in the field. (Source)

81) How Did The Finnish Spitz Get Its Name?

The Finnish Spitz is named for its place of origin. When Russian Migrants went to Finland they brought their Spitzes with them. These would eventually become Finnish Spitzes. (Source)

82) How Did The Finnish Lapphund Get Its Name?

This breed’s name comes from the Sami people that inhabit Lapland, they are sometimes referred to as the Lapp people.

They inhabit an area north of the Arctic circle. This area includes parts of Russia, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. (Source)

83) How Did The Flat-Coated Retriever Get Its Name?

The flat coat retriever is named for its coat. The coat helps the dog retrieve waterfowl in very cold temperatures. (Source)

84) How Did The French Bulldog Get Its Name?

The French bulldog is named for its place of origin. When English lacemakers moved to France, their Bulldogs came along with them. (Source)

85) How Did The German Pinscher Get Its Name?

This German breed is named for its ability to pincer, or nip. (Source)

86) How Did The German Shepherd Dog Get Its Name?

The German Shepherd dog’s name comes from its country of origin Germany. 

They were originally shepherd dogs, though in the 1800s Max Von Stephanitz helped develop the breed into what it is today. (Source)

87) How Did The German Shorthaired Pointer Get Its Name?

The German Shorthaired Pointer has a few elements to its name. They were bred in Germany and this particular breed has short hair. They were used as pointers, to alert hunters to their quarry. (Source)

88) How Did The German Wirehaired Pointer Get Its Name?

The German Wirehaired Pointer is another pointer breed originating from Germany. This breed has weather repellant, harsh, wiry hair. (Source)

89) How Did The Giant Schnauzer Get Its Name?

The Giant Schnauzer is named for its size. It is the largest of the Schnauzers. (Source)

90) How Did The Glen of Imaal Terrier Get Its Name?

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is named for its place of origin. They come from the remote Glen of Imaal, Ireland. (Source)

91) How Did The Golden Retriever Get Its Name?

The Golden Retriever is named for its famous golden coat. It was bred to retrieve waterfowl. (Source)

92) How Did The Gordon Setter Get Its Name?

The Gordon Setter is named for Alexander Gordon. Gordon was instrumental to the breed’s development. Setter dogs lay down when they locate birds. (Source)

93) How Did The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen Get Its Name?

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a breed from France whose name roughly translates to the large, low, shaggy dog of the Vende. (Source)

94) How Did The Great Dane Get Its Name?

The Great Dane is named for its size. Though its name would suggest an origin in Denmark the breed actually comes from Germany. (Source)

95) How Did The Great Pyrenees Get Its Name?

The Great Pyrenees are named for their size and place of origin. They were developed in the Pyrenees Mountains. (Source)

96) How Did The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Get Its Name?

This Swiss mountain breed is named for its large size. (Source)

97) How Did The Greyhound Get Its Name?

The Greyhound’s name is disputed but it looks as though the name comes from its color and the word hound. This comes from an old English time. See more in the source… (Source)

98) How Did The Harrier Get Its Name?

The Harrier is named for the hares that the breed was made to hunt. They happen to be one of the rarest breeds in the AKC. (Source)

99) How Did The Havanese Get Its Name?

The Havanese are named for their place of origin, Havana Cuba. Cubans that fled into the United States brought the breed with them. (Source)

100) How Did The Ibizan Hound Get Its Name?

The Ibizan Hound is named for its place of origin. It comes from the island of Ibiza, which is one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. (Source)

101) How Did The Icelandic Sheepdog Get Its Name?

The Icelandic sheepdog is named for its place of origin. When Norse settlers arrived in Iceland they brought their dogs, meant to herd sheep.

 These became known as Icelandic Sheepdogs. (Source)

102) How Did The Irish Red and White Setter Get Its Name?

The Irish red and white setter is named for its red and white coat. They were bred to sit or lay still when they discovered birds. (Source)

103) How Did The Irish Setter Get Its Name?

The Irish Setter is named for its place of origin. These Irish dogs were bred to sit or lay quietly when they found birds. (Source)

104) How Did The Irish Terrier Get Its Name?

The Irish Terrier is named for its place of origin, Ireland. (Source)

105) How Did The Irish Water Spaniel Get Its Name?

The Irish water spaniel was bred in Ireland to retrieve fowl from the frigid waters of the North Sea. (Source)

106) How Did The Irish Wolfhound Get Its Name?

The Irish Wolfhounds name comes from its place of origin. In Ireland, these dogs were bred to hunt wolves and in fact, did their jobs too well as they went extinct on the island. (Source)

107) How Did The Italian Greyhound Get Its Name?

The Italian Greyhound came into its own during the renaissance in Italy. Owning miniature breeds was looked at as a symbol of wealth or nobility. (Source) 

108) How Did The Japanese Chin Get Its Name?

The Japanese Chin was a breed that was used by Japanese noblemen. Chin refers to royalty, descendants of Chinese lap dogs. (Source)

109) How Did The Keeshond Get Its Name?

The name origin for the Keeshond is up for debate. Some believe it is a reference to a patriot mascot dog named Kees. Others believe it’s a reference to two patriot leaders nicknamed Kees. (Source) 

110) How Did The Kerry Blue Terrier Get Its Name?

The Kerry Blue Terrier is named for its place of origin in Ireland. Kerry is a county within Ireland. The breed also has a coat that starts blue and fades to grey. (Source)

111) How Did The Komondor Get Its Name?

This Hungarian sheep dog’s name translates to the commander, which is how they are treated when taking care of a flock. (Source)

112) How Did The Kuvasz Get Its Name?

The Kuvasz’s name comes from the Turkish Kawasz, armed guard of the nobility. This is a reference to its guarding abilities. (Source) 

113) How Did The Labrador Retriever Get Its Name?

The Labrador retriever is named for Labrador, Canada. This is where English nobles first saw the breed. They were bred to retrieve waterfowl. (Source)

114) How Did The Lagotto Romagnolo Get Its Name?

The Lagotto Romagnolo is an Italian breed that is named for its use in the field. In Italian Lago means lake. Romagnolo is a reference to the Italian region of Romagna. (Source)

115) How Did The Lakeland Terrier Get Its Name?

The Lakeland Terrier is named for its place of origin. The breed was used in the lake district of northern England. (Source)

116) How Did The Leonberger Get Its Name?

The Leonberger is named for its place of origin. Heinrich Essig developed the breed in Leonberg, Germany. (Source)

117) How Did The Lhasa Apso Get Its Name?

Lhasa Apso is a breed from Tibet. Lhasa is the sacred city of Tibet and Apso translates to lion haired dog. (Source)

118) How Did The Lowchen Get Its Name?

The name Lowchen is German meaning little lion.  The breed was popular throughout much of Europe since the middle ages. (Source)

119) How Did The Maltese Get Its Name?

The Maltese are named for their place of origin Malta, an island south of Sicily. (Source)

120) How Did The Manchester Terrier (Standard) Get Its Name?

The Manchester terrier is named for its place of origin. It was bred in Manchester, England as a rat dog and a rabbit hunter. (Source)

121) How Did The Manchester Terrier (Toy) Get Its Name?

The Manchester terrier is named for its place of origin. It was bred in Manchester, England as a rat dog and a rabbit hunter. (Source)

122) How Did The Mastiff Get Its Name?

The origin of the word Mastiff is up for debate. Many believe it derives from the Anglo-Saxon word masty, meaning powerful. (Source)

123) How Did The Miniature American Shepherd Get Its Name?

Australian shepherds were brought to the United States to work in rodeos around the country. Those dogs were bred to make them smaller than they were originally and they became known as Miniature Australian Shepherds. 

After some time the name changed to reflect where the breed had originated and they became the Miniature American Shepherd. (Source)

124) How Did The Miniature Bull Terrier Get Its Name?

The Miniature Bull Terrier is named for the breed that it was bred from. The full-sized Bull Terrier was bred from Bulldogs and Terriers. (Source)

125) How Did The Miniature Pinscher Get Its Name?

Miniature Pinschers are named for their stature and appearance. Because of their appearance, they are often mistaken for miniature Doberman Pinschers. (Source)

126) How Did The Miniature Schnauzer Get Its Name?

The Miniature Schnauzer is named for its predecessor the full-sized Schnauzer. (Source)

The standard Schnauzer is named for its snout. Schnauzer means whiskered shout. (Source)

127) How Did The Neapolitan Mastiff Get Its Name?

The name for the Neopolitan Mastiff comes from its place of origin. This breed of mastiff hails from Naples, Italy. (Source)

128) How Did The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Get Its Name?

The “Kooiker” is a Dutch breed whose name means small cager dog. (Source)

129) How Did The Newfoundland Get Its Name

The Newfoundland is named for its place of origin, Newfoundland. (Source)

130) How Did The Norfolk Terrier Get Its Name?

The Norfolk terrier is named for its place of origin in Norfolk County in England. (Source)

131) How Did The Norwegian Buhund Get Its Name?

The Norwegian Buhund accompanied Nordic Vikings as they pillaged and plundered. The Bu translates to homestead or farm, Hund is dog.

So its full name means Norwegian farm dog. (Source)

132) How Did The Norwegian Elkhound Get Its Name?

The Norwegian Elkhound gets its name from its job. It was bred to hunt elk and moose in the frigid climate of Norway. (Source)

133) How Did The Norwegian Lundehund Get Its Name?

The Norwegian Lundehund is named for its place of origin and quarry. They were bred in Norway to be puffin hunters. Lund meaning Puffin Hund meaning hound. (Source)

134) How Did The Norwich Terrier Get Its Name?

The Norwich Terrier is named for its place of origin, the city of Norwich, England. (Source)

135) How Did The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Get Its Name?

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers were bred in Nova Scotia for a very unique purpose. They would tollen meaning to lure ducks into shooting range by mimicking the activity of foxes. (Source)

136) How Did The Old English Sheepdog Get Its Name?

The Old English Sheepdog or OES is a herding dog used to herd Cattle and Sheep. 

Though they are actually not one of the older breeds from England, they are one of the more famous breeds that England has to offer. (Source)

137) How Did The Otterhound Get Its Name?

Otterhounds originated in England and were used to hunt otters for sport similar to foxes. They were so good that otters nearly went extinct. (Source)

138) How Did The Papillon Get Its Name?

The Papillon was bred during the renaissance as companions for noblewomen in Europe the name Papillon means butterfly in French. (Source)

139) How Did The Parson Russell Terrier Get Its Name?

The Parson Russell Terrier is named after John “the Sporting Parson” Russell. Russell created this breed of Terrier. (Source)

140) How Did The Pekingese Get Its Name?

The Pekingese are named from their place of origin. Peking also means Beijing, where British troops first saw the breed. (Source)

141) How Did The Pembroke Welsh Corgi Get Its Name?

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is named for the breeding center from where it came in Pembroke Wales. Queen Elizabeth II has had one of this breed since 1933. (Source)

142) How Did The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Get Its Name?

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a breed from France whose name roughly translates to small, low, shaggy dog of the Vendee. (Source)

143) How Did The Pharaoh Hound Get Its Name?

The Pharaoh Hound originates from Maltese, where it is called Kelb tal-Fenek, or rabbit dog. Its name comes from its look, as it resembles the Egyptian God Anubis. (Source) 

144) How Did The Plott Hound Get Its Name?

The Plott Hound originated from a group of Hanover Hounds brought to the United States by Johannes Plott. The pack had a member known as Plott’s Hound. (Source)

145) How Did The Pointer Get Its Name?

The Pointer is named for its job. It was bred to point out a hunter’s quarry. (Source)

146) How Did The Polish Lowland Sheepdog Get Its Name?

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is named for the lowland area of Poland from where it originates. It is also known as the PON, which is an acronym for its Polish na Get Its me. (Source)

147) How Did The Pomeranian Get Its Name?

The Pomeranian is named for its place of origin. Pomerania is a section of northeastern Europe that encompasses parts of Germany and Poland. (Source)

148) How Did The Poodle Get Its Name?

The Poodle’s name comes from Germany where it was used as a duck hunter. The German word pudelin which means splashing in water. (Source)

149) How Did The Poodle (Toy) Get Its Name?

The toy poodle is named for its larger cousin the poodle. Poodle comes from pudelin, which refers to splashing in water in German. (Source)

150) How Did The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Get Its Name?

The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Is a small dog from Portugal. Its name means small rabbit hunter. (Source)

151) How Did The Portuguese Water Dog Get Its Name?

This Portuguese breed is named for its job. They were used to help Portuguese fishermen. (Source)

152) How Did The Pug Get Its Name?

One theory as to the origin of the pug’s name is that pug is based on the Latin word pugnus which means fist. This references the pug’s face looking like a clenched fist. (Source)

153) How Did The Puli Get Its Name?

The Puli is an ancient Hungarian breed. Its name means Drover, and Destroyer. (Source)

154) How Did The Pumi Get Its Name?

The Pumi is closely related to the Puli and has some German breeds influence as well. The name Pumi is a reference to the Influences the German breeds had on this breed. (Source)

155) How Did The Pyrenean Shepherd Get Its Name?

The Pyrenean Shepherd is named for the Pyrenees mountain range that they herded sheep up and down for perhaps centuries. They often worked with the Great Pyrenees. (Source)

156) How Did The Rat Terrier Get Its Name?

The rat terriers name sums up its trade. They were bred to kill rats. (Source)

157) How Did The Redbone Coonhound Get Its Name?

The Redbone Coonhound’s name comes from its beautiful red coat. They were bred to hunt racoons in the United States. (Source)

158) How Did The Rhodesian Ridgeback Get Its Name?

The Rhodesian Ridgeback gets its name from its creator Cornelius Van Rooyen. Van Rooyen was from Rhodesia and introduced two ridged greyhound-esqe dogs into his lion hunting pack.

The offspring eventually became the Rhodesian Ridgebacks. (Source)

159) How Did The Rottweiler Get Its Name?

The Rottweiler is named for the German town of Rottweil. The Breed were cattle herders here. (Source)

160) How Did The Russell Terrier Get Its Name?

The Russell Terrier is named for its heritage. They come from a line of Terriers owned and created by John Russell, just as the Parson Russell Terrier is. (Source)

161) How Did The Saint Bernard Get Its Name?

This breed is named for monk Bernard of Menthon. Bernard established a hospice that produced these dogs. (Source)

162) How Did The Saluki Get Its Name?

The Saluki name and origin is disputed as it is an ancient breed of dog. Some believe the name comes from the Arabic word Seleucia, a city in present-day Iraq, though this is disputed. (Source)

163) How Did The Samoyed Get Its Name?

The Samoyed is named for the Samoyede people of Asia who developed the breed. (Source)

164) How Did The Schipperke Get Its Name?

This Belgian dockyard dog’s name means little captain in Flemish. (Source)

165) How Did The Scottish Deerhound Get Its Name?

The Scottish Deerhound is named for its place of origin. In Scotland, they were used to hunt large red deer. (Source)

166) How Did The Scottish Terrier Get Its Name?

The Scottish Terrier is named for its place of origin, Scotland. (Source)

167) How Did The Sealyham Terrier Get Its Name?

The Sealyham Terrier is named for its place of origin. This breed was started at the Sealy Ham Estate in southwest Wales. (Source)

168) How Did The Shetland Sheepdog Get Its Name?

The Shetland Sheepdog is named for the island from which it was bred. The Shetland Islands in the northern part of the United Kingdom is where this breed originates.(Source)

169) How Did The Shiba Inu Get Its Name?

The Shiba Inu comes from Japan. Shiba means brushwood and Inu dog. (Source)

170) How Did The Shih Tzu Get Its Name?

The Shih Tzu’s name in Chinese means lion dog. Lions being important to the Buddhist deity. (Source)

171) How Did The Siberian Husky Get Its Name?

The Siberian Husky is named for its place of origin. They were bred out of necessity in Northeast Asia by the Chukchi. (Source)

172) How Did The Silky Terrier Get Its Name?

The Silky Terriers name is a reference to its coat. The coat can be described as silky. (Source) 

173) How did The Skye Terrier Get Its Name?

The Skye terrier is named for its place of origin. They were bred on the isle of Skye Scotland. (Source)

174)  How Did The Sloughi Get Its Name?

The Sloughi is another ancient breed whose origin has been lost in time. However, we do know that Sloughi in Arabic translates to Greyhound. (Source)

175) How Did The Smooth Fox Terrier Get Its Name?

The Smooth Fox Terrier is named for its coat and its quarry. They were bred to hunt foxes in England. (Source)

176) How Did The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Get Its Name?

The soft coated wheaten terrier is named for its coat. The soft coat comes in a wheaten color. (Source)

177) How Did The Spanish Water Dog Get Its Name?

The Spanish Water Dog was used as both a sheepherder and a waterfowl retriever. This is what its name comes from, along with its Origin in Spain. (Source)

178) How Did The Spinone Italiano Get Its Name?

The Spinone Italiano is an Italian breed. Spinone is a reference to pino, which is a thorny underbrush in Italy. (Source)

179) How Did The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Get Its Name?

The Staffordshire bull terrier is named for a place that it was particularly popular. They were the rage in Staffordshire England. (Source)

180) How Did The Standard Schnauzer Get Its Name?

The standard Schnauzer is named for its snout. Schnauzer means whiskered shout. (Source)

181) How Did The Sussex Spaniel Get Its Name?

The Sussex Spaniel is named for its place of origin. In Sussex England this breed to hunt fowl. (Source)

182) How Did The Swedish Vallhund Get Its Name?

The Swedish Vallhund originates from Sweden. Its name in Swedish translated to Shepherd Dog.

The Vallhund has been a part of Swedish farmers for centuries. (Source)

183) How Did The Tibetan Mastiff Get Its Name?

The Tibetan Mastiff is named for its place of origin, Tibet. (Source)

184) How Did The Tibetan Spaniel Get Its Name?

The Tibetan Spaniel is named for its place of origin. This is one of three breeds from Tibet in the non-sporting group. (Source)

185) How Did The Tibetan Terrier Get Its Name?

The Tibetan terrier is named from where it originates. It is not, however, an actual terrier. (Source)

186) How Did The Toy Fox Terrier Get Its Name?

The Toy Fox terrier gets its name from its size and where the breed comes from. They were bred from Smooth Fox Terriers and other toy breeds to get a smaller sized dog. (Source)

187) How Did The Treeing Walker Coonhound Get Its Name?

The Treeing Walker Coonhound’s name comes from a few things. Treeing is a reference to the dogs scaring their quarry up a tree (quarry refers to the animal being hunted). 

Thomas Walker was instrumental in the development of the breed. Finally, these were built to hunt raccoons in the United States. (Source)

188) How Did The Vizsla Get Its Name?

The Vizsla is named for what it was bred to do. In Hungarian, its name translates to searcher or tracker.  (Source)

189) How Did The Weimaraner Get Its Name?

The Weimaraner is named for its place of origin. German Grand Duke Karl August developed the breed in Weimar, where he held court. (Source)

190) How Did The Welsh Springer Spaniel Get Its Name?

This Welsh breed of Spaniel is named for its job of springing or scaring out fowl. (Source)

191) How Did The Welsh Terrier Get Its Name?

The Welsh Terrier is named for its place of origin in Wales. (Source)

192) How Did The West Highland White Terrier Get Its Name?

The West Highland White Terrier is named for where the breed got its fame, the northwest area of Scotland. Its coat is also white, explaining the second part of its name. (Source)

193) How Did The Whippet Get Its Name?

The speedy whippet gets its name from an antique word whappet, which means a small dog that yaps. (Source)

194) How Did The Wire Fox Terrier Get Its Name?

The Wire Fox Terrier is a fox hunter named for its wiry coat. (Source)

195) How Did The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Get Its Name?

The Griffon is named for its coat and its job. With a harsh bristly coat, it was bred to point to a hunter’s quarry. (Source)

196) How Did The Wirehaired Vizsla Get Its Name?

In Hungarian Vizsla means to search or hunt. This breed has a harsh wire-like coat. (Source)

197) How Did The Xoloitzcuintli Get Its Name?

The Xoloitzcuintli is an ancient dog loved by the Aztecs. The breed is named for the Aztec god Xolotl. (Source)

198) How Did The Yorkshire Terrier Get Its Name?

The Yorkshire terrier is named for its place of origin. The breed was developed in Yorkshire and Lancashire England. (Source)

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this information about the origins of each dog breeds name.

Once again, if you have any insight into the name of a particular breed please put your comment in the comment section down below.

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