Top 10 Dog Breeds that Need Better Names

These are English-speaking names used by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Some are incorrect, while others are adequate but could be more accurate.

Some names are used for a breed family and should not be applied to a single breed (such as mastiff, bulldog, greyhound, or pointer). Additionally, some names would be clearer if they were translated into English.

This list is for purebreds only.

The Top Ten

Great Dane

The Great Dane is a large German breed of domestic dog recognized for its giant size and gentle temperament. The breed's German name is Deutsche Dogge, meaning German Mastiff. Great Danes are often referred to as gentle giants and were originally bred for hunting large game.

This breed is German, not Danish. Better name: German Mastiff, translation of the German 'Deutsche Dogge'. There is a real Danish mastiff, the Broholmer.

Dane would imply that it is a Danish animal, when in reality it's German.
Australian Shepherd

Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd was actually developed in the United States. Primarily a herding dog, it is characterized by its intelligence, agility, and strong work ethic. The breed is easily recognized by its striking coat patterns and eye colors, which can include blue, brown, or heterochromia... read more

This breed is not Australian. It's an American breed from the Southwest, particularly California. It has British ancestry, possibly some Australian, Spanish, or Basque ancestry.
Better names: California Shepherd or American Shepherd, in keeping with the Miniature American Shepherd (the AKC name for Miniature Australian Shepherd).
Pharaoh Hound

Native to Malta, the Pharaoh Hound is a sighthound breed that is traditionally used for rabbit hunting. It has a slender build and a reddish coat, and is known for its keen eyesight and agile movements. The breed is also notable for its unique trait of blushing, where its nose and ears can turn pink... read more

These resemble ancient Egyptian dogs, but DNA shows that they are not ancient. They belong to the family of podencos or warren hounds, rabbit hunters from several Mediterranean countries. The Pharaoh Hound is the podenco of Malta and Gozo.
Better names: Kelb tal-Fenek, Malta Rabbit Dog, or Malta Rabbit Hound.
Tibetan Terrier

The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-sized breed of dog that originated in Tibet. Despite its name, it is not a true terrier and does not belong to the terrier group. Tibetan Terriers are known for their long, flowing coats and friendly, intelligent nature.

This is false. While they were grouped with terriers, the breed is actually in the non-sporting group. They were given the name by European travelers due to their resemblance to known terrier breeds.

Not a terrier. It's an apso, Tibetan for shaggy or bearded, like the Lhasa Apso.
Better name: Tsang Apso.
Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel is a small, intelligent dog breed that originated over 2,500 years ago in the Himalayan mountains of Tibet. They were often kept by monks in monasteries as companion dogs and watchdogs. Tibetan Spaniels are known for their alertness, independence, and affectionate nature.

It is not a spaniel. Better names could be Simkhyi or Tibetan House Dog.
Belgian Sheepdog

Belgian Shepherds come in four kinds: Groenendael, Tervuren, Malinois, and Laekenois. Some registries classify them as separate breeds, while others consider them one breed. The AKC initially used the name Belgian Sheepdog to refer to one breed and later split them into separate breeds.
The Groenendael retained the name Belgian Sheepdog, while the others are known as Belgian Tervuren, Belgian Malinois, and Belgian Laekenois. Referring to the breed as 'Belgian Sheepdog' while the others have their specific names can be confusing. It's important to correctly identify the Belgian Groenendael.
American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog is a companion dog breed that belongs to the Spitz family. Despite its name, the breed originated in Germany and was brought to the United States by German immigrants. The breed comes in three size varieties and is known for its white coat, intelligence, and agility.

This breed is descended from the white German Spitz, Keeshond, Pomeranian, and probably the Italian Volpino and Japanese Spitz, in the United States. Perhaps named for a kennel, it is not an Inuit breed.
Better name: American Spitz.
American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier, also known as Amstaff, is a medium-sized, short-coated dog breed that originated in the United States. It is known for its muscular build and affectionate nature. The breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club and is often confused with the Staffordshire Bull... read more

American Pit Bull Terriers were recognized by the AKC, but the AKC didn't want "pit" fighting in their name. They were called Staffordshire Terrier, from their English ancestry. This was changed to American Staffordshire Terrier when the AKC recognized the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England.
The 'Am Staff' is not itself from Staffordshire, England, and is more bulldog than terrier. Some consider it the same breed as the American Pit Bull Terrier, a show strain, or a separate breed. A good name would be American Bull Terrier.
Brittany

Originally, Brittany Spaniel. The 'Spaniel' was dropped but should have been replaced by another term, perhaps Brittany Setter. American and French Brittanys have differences. The United Kennel Club (UKC) registers them as separate breeds.
The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne and Basset Fauve de Bretagne are also from Brittany, so plain 'Brittany' is a poor name.
Russell Terrier

The classification of this breed varies. In kennel clubs, the long-legged Parson Jack Russell Terrier was originally AKC-registered as Jack Russell Terrier. This changed to Parson Russell Terrier in accordance with other registries.
The AKC calls the short-legged form Russell Terrier. It should be Jack Russell Terrier in accordance with other kennel clubs. Short Jack Russell Terrier is good as well.

The Newcomers

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Dogo Argentino

The Dogo Argentino, also known as the Argentine Mastiff, is a large, white, muscular dog developed in Argentina for big-game hunting, including wild boar. The breed was created by Antonio Nores Martínez, who aimed to develop a dog that would demonstrate both fearless bravery and strong loyalty to its... read more

English speakers will think that this means Argentine Dog, when the correct translation is Argentine Mastiff.
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Dogue de Bordeaux

English speakers will think that this means Dog of Bordeaux, when the correct translation is Mastiff of Bordeaux. Bordeaux Mastiff is a good name.

The Contenders

Irish Setter

The Irish Setter is a setter, a breed of gundog, and a family dog. It's known for its distinctive red coat and friendly, outgoing personality. The breed was originally developed in Ireland for bird hunting.

There is also the Irish Red and White Setter, so this should be Irish Red Setter.
Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are dogs belonging to two breeds of the spaniel type: the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel. Each is commonly referred to simply as Cocker Spaniel in its country of origin. Known for their long, silky ears and affectionate temperament, Cocker Spaniels are popular... read more

Cocker Spaniels were split into two breeds, English and American. Great Britain calls them 'Cocker Spaniel' and 'American Cocker Spaniel' respectively, while the AKC calls them 'English Cocker Spaniel' and 'Cocker Spaniel' respectively. Ridiculous. Everyone should use English Cocker Spaniel and American Cocker Spaniel.
Bulldog

Generic. Should be English Bulldog.
Vizsla

The Vizsla is a dog breed that originated in Hungary. It is classified in Group 7 (Pointing Dogs) by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). Vizslas are known for their loyalty, energy, and hunting abilities.

There is also the Wire-Haired Vizsla, so this should be Short-Haired Vizsla or Smooth-Haired Vizsla.
Russian Toy

The Russian Toy is a very small breed of dog originally bred in Russia from the English Toy Terrier. It comes in two coat types: smooth and long-haired. The breed is lively, affectionate, and well-suited to apartment living.

Though called Russian Toy Terrier before, the 'Terrier' was dropped. Russian Toy what? It should be Russian Toy Dog.
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje

Originating from the Netherlands, this small to medium-sized dog breed was developed for duck hunting. It has a distinctive orange and white coat and is known for its agility and intelligence. Often used in sports like obedience and agility trials, the Kooikerhondje is a versatile and trainable breed... read more

In English-speaking registries, Kooikerhondje is sufficient. The other name is unnecessarily lengthy.
Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie, is a breed of herding dog. Originally called the Shetland Collie, the name was changed due to opposition from Rough Collie breeders. The breed is known for its intelligence, agility, and long, dense double coat.

Nicknamed the Sheltie, this breed belongs to the collie family but was prevented from using the word 'Collie' by Rough Collie fanciers in the past. Later, the Bearded Collie and Border Collie used the name.
The Sheltie is a sheepdog, but the name should be Shetland Collie, in keeping with the rest of the family.
Collie

Generic. When the Smooth Collie and Rough Collie are separate breeds, those names are fine. But the AKC considers them varieties of one breed, called Collie. A better name, if one breed, perhaps Scottish Collie.
Mastiff

Generic. Should be English Mastiff.
Pointer

Generic. It should be called the English Pointer.
Greyhound

The Greyhound is a breed of dog, a sighthound that has been bred for coursing game and Greyhound racing. Known for their speed, they can reach up to 45 mph. Despite their athleticism, they're often gentle and enjoy being couch companions.

Generic. Should be English Greyhound.
Norwegian Elkhound

The Norwegian Elkhound is one of the ancient Northern Spitz-type breeds of dog and is the National Dog of Norway. It was historically used for hunting elk and other large game. The breed is known for its endurance, loyalty, and thick gray coat.

Elkhound, translated from 'elghund', may be interpreted in various ways. This dog is a hunting spitz rather than a member of the scent-hound or sight-hound families. Americans use 'moose' for what Norwegians call 'elg', and 'elk' for wapiti.
This breed could be Norwegian Elk Dog or Norwegian Moose Dog. Also, this is the Gray Norwegian Elkhound. There is the Black Norwegian Elkhound as well.
Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher, also known as the Dobermann or Doberman, is a medium-large breed of domestic dog originally developed around 1890 by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector in Germany. Known for their loyalty and intelligence, Dobermans are often used in police and military roles. They... read more

Louis Dobermann created this breed. It is a member of the pinscher family. The AKC's 'Doberman Pinscher' and Europe's plain 'Dobermann' are inferior names to 'Dobermann Pinscher'.
Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family. There's also a miniature version of this breed, which is officially known as the Miniature Bull Terrier. Both types are recognized for their distinctive egg-shaped heads and muscular builds.

Generic. Should be English Bull Terrier.
Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested dog is a hairless breed of dog. Like most hairless dog breeds, the Chinese Crested comes in two varieties, with and without fur, which are born in the same litter: the Powderpuff and the Hairless. This breed is known for its affectionate temperament and distinctive appearance.

There is also a Chinese crested tern! This should be Chinese Crested Dog.