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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

A bulldog-terrier, more bulldog than terrier. Better names: Boston Bulldog or Boston Bullterrier.
The Newcomers

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 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.

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.

Generic. Should be English Greyhound.

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.

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'.

Generic. Should be English Bull Terrier.