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 Great Dane is a large German breed of domestic dog known for its giant size. The German name of the breed is Deutsche Dogge, or German Mastiff. 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.
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd was actually developed in the United States. Primarily a herding dog, it is characterized by its intelligence and agility. The breed is easily recognizable by its striking coat patterns and eye colors, which can include blue, brown, or even one of each. 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).
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. 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.
The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-size breed of dog that originated in Tibet. Despite its name, it is not a member of the terrier group. 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.
The Tibetan Spaniel is a breed of assertive, small, intelligent dogs originating over 2,500 years ago in the Himalayan mountains of Tibet. It is not a spaniel. Better names could be Simkhyi or Tibetan House Dog.
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.
The American Eskimo Dog is a breed of companion dog originating in Germany. The American Eskimo is a member of the Spitz family. 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.
The American Staffordshire Terrier, also known as Amstaff or simply Stafford, is a medium-sized, short-coated American dog breed. 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.
The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie, is a breed of herding dog. The original name of this breed was Shetland Collie, but this caused controversy among the Rough Collie breeders at the time, so the breed's name was formally changed to Shetland Sheepdog. 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.
The Boston Terrier is a breed of dog originating in the United States. This "American Gentleman" was accepted in 1893 by the American Kennel Club as a non-sporting breed. A bulldog-terrier, more bulldog than terrier. Better names: Boston Bulldog or Boston Bullterrier.
The Newcomers
The Dogo Argentino, also known as the Argentine Mastiff, is a large, white, muscular dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-game hunting, including wild boar; the breeder, Antonio Nores MartÃnez, also wanted a dog that would exhibit steadfast bravery and willingly protect... read more English speakers will think that this means Argentine Dog, when the correct translation is Argentine Mastiff.
English speakers will think that this means Dog of Bordeaux, when the correct translation is Mastiff of Bordeaux. Bordeaux Mastiff is a good name.
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.
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.
There is also the Irish Red and White Setter, so this should be Irish Red Setter.
Cocker Spaniels are dogs belonging to two breeds of the spaniel dog type: the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel, both of which are commonly called simply Cocker Spaniel in their countries of origin. 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.
Generic. Should be English Bulldog.
There is also the Wire-Haired Vizsla, so this should be Short-Haired Vizsla or Smooth-Haired Vizsla.
Though called Russian Toy Terrier before, the 'Terrier' was dropped. Russian Toy what? It should be Russian Toy Dog.
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.
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.
Generic. Should be English Mastiff.
Generic. It should be called the English Pointer.
The Greyhound is a breed of dog, a sighthound which has been bred for coursing game and Greyhound racing. Generic. Should be English Greyhound.
The Norwegian Elkhound is one of the ancient Northern Spitz-type breed of dog and is the National Dog of Norway. 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.
The Doberman Pinscher, or Dobermann, or Doberman, is a medium-large breed of domestic dog originally developed around 1890 by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector from Germany. 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'.
The Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family. There is also a miniature version of this breed which is officially known as the Miniature Bull Terrier. Generic. Should be English Bull Terrier.