Dog Encyclopedia — 223 Species Directory
Encyclopedia of popular dog breeds with traits, temperament, and care guides.
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Showing 31 of 223 species(1–24)
Airedale Terrier
The King of Terriers, largest of all terriers. Outgoing, confident and fearless.
American Foxhound
An American scent hound founded on dogs kept by George Washington. Gentle, friendly and full of stamina.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Swiss Alpine breed with beautiful tricolor coat. Gentle and loving. Unfortunately short-lived.
Black and Tan Coonhound
America's scent hound famed for raccoon hunting. Outgoing and friendly.
Borzoi
Elegant sighthound beloved by Russian royalty. Extremely calm at home.
Boxer
Muscular with expressive face. Playful and loyal. Great with kids.
Briard
A long-coated French sheepdog that served the French army in both World Wars. Steady and courageous, neither aggressive nor timid.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The only retriever developed outside Britain. A tough retriever that works on land and in water under the harshest weather.
Clumber Spaniel
The heaviest of the spaniels, developed at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. Calm, thoughtful and a famously quiet worker.
Curly-Coated Retriever
One of the earliest retriever breeds to be recognized. A versatile hunting retriever distinguished by its tight curly coat.
English Pointer
The quintessential bird dog, hailed as one of Britain's masterpiece breeds. Aristocratic, alert, kind and even-tempered.
Flat-Coated Retriever
Glossy flat coat with eternally youthful personality. 'Peter Pan of dogs.'.
German Shepherd
World-renowned police and military dog. Highly intelligent, loyal, and athletic.
German Wirehaired Pointer
Germany's all-terrain gun dog with a harsh weatherproof coat. Determined, self-controlled and well balanced.
Gordon Setter
Scotland's only gun dog, created by the Duke of Gordon. The largest and hardiest of the setters, with a steady, kindly nature.
Greyhound
Among the fastest dogs on earth, outrun only by the cheetah. Surprisingly calm and gentle at home.
Ibizan Hound
An ancient rabbit-hunting hound depicted on pharaohs' tombs. Agile and lively, yet calm at home.
Irish Red and White Setter
An Irish gundog revived from near extinction. Friendly, reliable and easy to train.
Irish Setter
Beautiful mahogany red coat. Cheerful, affectionate, and very active.
Italian Pointing Dog
Italy's traditional pointing dog depicted in 14th-century frescoes. Docile, intelligent and easy to train.
Italian Spinone
Italy's versatile gundog with a coarse coat and whiskered face. Sociable, docile and patient.
Large Munsterlander
A versatile German gundog that excels in work after the shot. Obedient, trainable and lively.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
The lion dog of southern Africa, crowned by the ridge of backward-growing hair on its back. Dignified and intelligent, with great speed and endurance.
Rough Collie
A Scottish sheepdog beloved by Queen Victoria. Graceful and dignified, one of the friendliest of family dogs.
Dog FAQ
- How much do dogs cost?
- Prices vary by breed. From breeders directly, Toy Poodles typically run 200,000-450,000 yen, Chihuahuas 150,000-350,000 yen, Shiba Inu 120,000-250,000 yen, and large breeds 200,000-500,000 yen, varying with pedigree, coat, and the parents' track record.
- What are the benefits of buying from a breeder?
- The biggest advantage is being able to see the parent dogs and rearing environment, and to ask directly about temperament, health, and socialization. Under Japan's Animal Welfare Act, sellers must show the actual animal at their premises and provide in-person written explanation of care and date of birth before handover.
- At what age can I bring home a puppy?
- Under Japan's Animal Welfare Act, breeders cannot sell or hand over puppies until they are 56 days (8 weeks) old. For the six native Japanese breeds (Shiba, Akita, Kishu, Kai, Hokkaido, Shikoku) sold directly by specialist breeders, the threshold is 49 days (7 weeks).
- How long do dogs live?
- Generally, small breeds live 12-16 years, medium breeds 10-14 years, large breeds 10-13 years, and giant breeds 8-10 years. Proper diet, exercise, and regular checkups help extend their healthy lifespan.
- What do I need to prepare before getting a dog?
- Basics include a pen or crate, toileting supplies, food and bowls, a collar and leash, and grooming items. After bringing the dog home, promptly arrange a vet health check and vaccination plan, plus municipal registration and the required rabies vaccination.