Dog Encyclopedia — 223 Species Directory
Encyclopedia of popular dog breeds with traits, temperament, and care guides.
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Showing 58 of 223 species(1–24)

American Cocker Spaniel
Spaniel with abundant coat, famously featured in 'Lady and the Tramp.' Gentle, cheerful, and great with kids.

American Staffordshire Terrier
A muscular, courageous breed with fighting-dog roots, now firmly established as a show dog.

Australian Kelpie
A tireless sheepdog of Australia's vast stations. Extremely intelligent and deeply loyal.

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

Beagle
Famous as Snoopy's breed. Keen-nosed hound with endless curiosity. Cheerful and beloved family dog.

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.

Dutch Shepherd Dog
The versatile herding dog of the Netherlands, also excelling as a police and search dog. Loyal, intelligent and hardworking.

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

English Cocker Spaniel
Sporting dog with long drop ears and gentle eyes. Cheerful, friendly, and playful with a calm side.

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.

Finnish Lapponian Dog
Finland's reindeer herding dog of the Sami people. Calm, friendly and hugely popular as a family companion.

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.

Hokkaido Ken
Also called Ainu dog. Hardy breed withstanding extreme cold. Brave enough to face bears.

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.

Kai Ken
Japanese breed from Yamanashi with brindle coat. Known for extreme loyalty to one master.
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.