European Dog Breeds

While China may have domesticated the dog 15,000 years ago, Europe is famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) for dog breeding. This has led to countless breeds evolving, from the tiny Pomeranian to the large St. Bernard. Some of the rarer breeds are bit harder to find nowadays, like the Norwegian Lundehund and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Most of these dogs were bred to act as guard dogs or for hunting. Nowadays, they are used as companions and even take part in shows.

European Dog Breeds

List of Dog Breeds from Europe

Austria

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Barak Hound

Bulgaria

Croatia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

  • Estonian Hound

Finland

France

Georgia

Germany

Greece

Greenland

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Lithuania

  • Lithuanian Hound

Malta

Montenegro

  • Montenegrin Mountain Hound

The Netherlands

North Macedonia

  • Šarplaninac

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Slovakia

  • Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
  • Slovakian Rough-Haired Pointer
  • Slovenský Cuvac
  • Slovenský Kopov

Slovenia

Spain

  • Alano Español
  • Basque Shepherd Dog
  • Burgos Pointer
  • Ca Mè Mallorquí
  • Can de Chira
  • Can de Palleiro
  • Cantabrian Water Dog
  • Carea Castellano Manchego
  • Carea Leonés
  • Catalan Sheepdog
  • Erbi Txakur
  • Galgo Español
  • Ibizan Hound
  • Lobito Herreño
  • Maneto
  • Mastiffs
  • Pachón Navarro
  • Pastor Garafiano
  • Perdigueiro Galego
  • Perro de Pastor Mallorquin
  • Perro de Presa Mallorquin
  • Perro Majorero
  • Podenco Andaluz
  • Podenco Canario
  • Podenco Valenciano
  • Presa Canario
  • Pyrenean Mastiff
  • Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz
  • Ratonero Mallorquin
  • Ratonero Murciano
  • Ratonero Valenciano
  • Sabueso Español
  • Spanish Mastiff
  • Spanish Water Dog
  • Valdueza
  • Villano de Las Encartaciones
  • Villanuco de Las Encartaciones

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

  • Akbash
  • Aksaray Malaklisi
  • Kangal
  • Kars
  • Rize Koyun
  • Tonya Finosu
  • Zerdava

United Kingdom

European Dogs by Size

Large European Dog Breeds: Barbet, Basset Hound, Briard

Medium European Dog Breeds: German Shorthaired Pointer, Border Collie, Norwegian Elkhound

Small European Dog Breeds: Italian Greyhound, Papillon, Yorkshire Terrier

As the list indicates, many of these breeds come from France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. But the Soviet Union was also known for its dog breeds. However, it has become difficult to trace the exact country where a particular breed may have emerged after it collapsed.

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