Dog Encyclopedia — 223 Species Directory
Encyclopedia of popular dog breeds with traits, temperament, and care guides.
Browse by size
Showing 40 of 223 species(1–24)

Basenji
The 'barkless dog' from Africa. Cat-like in cleanliness and grooming habits.

Bearded Collie
An all-weather herding dog trademarked by its beard. Calm, intelligent and popular as a family dog.

Border Collie
Considered the most intelligent of all breeds. Extraordinary focus and athleticism.
© Pixabay User TC-TORRES / CC0Bull Terrier
Distinctive egg-shaped head. Playful and humorous but stubborn. Muscular build.

Croatian Sheepdog
A Croatian herding dog with strongly developed gathering and guarding instincts. Alert, modest and easy to train.

Dutch Schapendoes
A long-coated Dutch herding dog that gathered sheep on open heathlands. Cheerful and lively, deeply devoted to its people.

English Bulldog
Stocky build with wrinkled face. Extremely gentle despite tough appearance.

English Springer Spaniel
A historic spaniel named for its springing dash after game. Friendly, cheerful and biddable.

Field Spaniel
The oldest of the land spaniels and the archetype of the family. A docile, active breed revived from the brink of extinction.

German Pinscher
An old German breed sharing its ancestry with the Schnauzer. Cheerful, lively and self-assured, an all-round family companion.

Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
A rough-coated French scent hound founded on the Grand Griffon. Fast, brave and a passionate hunter.

Harrier
An English scenthound between the Beagle and Foxhound in size. Good-natured, agile and full of stamina.

Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
One of Ireland's oldest terriers with a soft wheaten coat. Cheerful, affectionate and non-aggressive.

Irish Terrier
Ireland's oldest terrier in a fiery red coat. Loyal and gentle with people, utterly fearless when needed.

Irish Water Spaniel
Ireland's water retriever famous for its rat tail. Proud, bold and a humorous family companion.

Kerry Blue Terrier
Ireland's versatile terrier in a beautiful blue coat. Keen, alert and a loyal companion.

Lapponian Herder
A Finnish herding spitz that has driven reindeer across Lapland for centuries. Docile, calm and eager to work.

Mudi
Hungary's all-round herding dog, equally at home driving stock, hunting or guarding. Highly intelligent, cheerful and eager to work.

Norwegian Buhund
A spitz that has worked Norwegian farms for over two thousand years. Brave, energetic and people-friendly.

Norwegian Elkhound Grey
One of Scandinavia's oldest spitz breeds, hunting elk since the Viking age. Fearless, energetic and bold.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
A Canadian retriever that lures ducks within range by playing along the shore. Highly intelligent and patient, with a strong retrieving drive and playful spirit.

Pharaoh Hound
The national dog of Malta with roots in ancient Egyptian hunting dogs. Noble in bearing, agile, and friendly.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog
An old Polish herding breed said to be an ancestor of the Bearded Collie. Lively yet composed, with an excellent memory.

Porcelaine
A French scenthound with a pure white coat like fine porcelain. Full of distinction with a high-quality build.
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.