20 American Dog Breeds Born and Bred in the USA

American foxhounds are social pups who love spending time with their pet parents, kiddos, and other family pets.

Many dog breeds have ancient and overseas origins, but some developed within the past few hundred years right here in the U.S.

These all-American dog breeds range in popularity (Australian shepherds are almost always spotted at the park, while American foxhounds are much rarer finds), size (toy fox terriers weigh just 3.5 pounds, while Alaskan malamutes can top 85 pounds), and looks (a Boston terrier’s tuxedo stands out among the many long-eared hounds). But each of these American dogs can be the perfect fit for the right family.

If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, here are 20 popular American dog breeds to choose from.

1. American Bulldog

american bulldog closeup grass

Look at that smile! American bulldogs are historically working dogs, but today they are cuddly and loyal family pups.

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Droopy-jowled and rambunctious, the American bulldog is long-legged cousin of the English bulldog. They immigrated to the American colonies in the 17th century, where they worked alongside butchers and farmers. American bulldogs love to play and run around, but be careful with your pup in high temperatures (they’re prone to overheating).

2. American Eskimo Dog

American Eskimo dog on the beach

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Despite the name, Inuit peoples have nothing to do with the American Eskimo dog. The dogs’ origins are actually in Germany, and their ancestors, the German spitz, came to the U.S. with immigrant families. When anti-German prejudice swept the nation during the World Wars, the name was changed as the breed was further refined. Today, American Eskimo dogs and German spitz dogs are separate breeds registered with the American Kennel Club.

3. American Hairless Terrier

brown american hairless terrier standing in park with leash on

Small and spunky, American hairless terriers are lively pups who need to keep their paws moving.

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American hairless terriers are the only naked dog breed native to the U.S. This hairless dog is small, spunky, and has a typical terrier ‘tude. While you might want to tuck her into your purse and carry her around all day, she’s a pup who wants to keep her paws moving with daily walks and playtime.

4. American Foxhound

mother and young child sitting in bed teaching their american foxhound to shake

American foxhounds are social pups who love spending time with their pet parents, kiddos, and other family pets.

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If American dogs had a founding father, it would be the gentle and talkative American foxhound. George Washington himself was instrumental in developing the breed: Before he became the nation’s first president, Washington bred English foxhounds with French hounds to create a new breed perfectly suited for fox hunting in the U.S. countryside.

5. American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

At 19 inches tall, American Staffordshire terriers are low to the ground—but solid and muscular at 40–70 pounds.

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Although the American Staffordshire terrier’s ancestors were bred for fighting and bull baiting, today’s AmStaffs are far removed from their past. Well-trained and socialized AmStaffs can make excellent playmates for children, are eager to learn new tricks, and will always be ready to join their humans on a long walk.

6. American Water Spaniel

black american water spaniel wearing a green collar standing outside

Though an American water spaniel needs a job to be her happiest, that doesn’t mean you need to be an active hunter. She’ll be just as thrilled with agility classes or regular games of fetch in the backyard.

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The curly-coated American water spaniel’s origins are a little bit of a mystery, but what is clear is that the dogs were bred in Wisconsin as working gun dogs. Their thick double coat and webbed feet mean these pups are perfectly designed to retrieve birds for their human hunting companions, both on land and in the cold Northern waters.

7. Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute with a woman in the snow

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Although the American Eskimo dog doesn’t have Arctic origins, the Alaskan malamute walked side-by-side with his humans across the Bering Strait into present-day Alaska. They’re smart, athletic, and eager to please the humans they love most. Malamutes are also quite chatty and will howl to let you know exactly what they want (more treats, please).

8. Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd standing in profile in front of woods

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The Australian shepherd isn’t really Australian at all, though their ancestors did take a detour in the Land Down Under before coming to the U.S. The active dogs are actually staples of cowboy culture in the American West, are a good match for high-energy families, and are the most popular American dog breed.

9. Black and Tan Coonhound

black and tan coonhound standing in grass head tilted

Those long ears might look like a cute pigtail hairdo, but they come with a lot of care needs. Black and tan coonhound owners need to check and clean their pup’s ears weekly to prevent infection.

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With their floppy ears, soft eyes, and impeccable sniffers, black and tan coonhounds are working-class hunting dogs. Black and tans worked hand-in-paw with humans to hunt, and they were trained to “tree” their prey (typically racoons), meaning they would chase it up a tree and bark to point out where it was cornered.

10. Bluetick Coonhound

closeup of a bluetick coonhound with his mouth open

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Another hunting dog, the bluetick coonhound is known for his powerful nose and sing-songy baying. Blueticks are also known for treeing their prey and are capable of following a trail even if the scent is several days old. They are the State Dog of Tennessee.

11. Boston Terrier

French Bulldog laying in girl’s lap outside in chaise lawn chair

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Boston terriers, with their snazzy built-in tuxedos, are known as the “American Gentlemen.” These small dogs don’t need a lot of space to be happy, and after playtime you’ll typically find them snoring on the couch. Bostons are excellent companions for any family—President Gerald Ford even grew up with a Boston terrier!

12. Boykin Spaniel

Boykin spaniel carrying bird in mouth

Bred to be turkey and waterfowl retrievers, Boykins are a go-to dog for hunting trips.

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Some dogs have been around for centuries, but the boykin spaniel was developed entirely in the 1900s. They can trace their history back to a single stray dog found in South Carolina, and today they’re rarely found outside of the swampy American Southeast.

13. Carolina Dog

carolina dog walking outside carrying ball in mouth

Keeping a Carolina dog well-exercised might feel like a full-time job—one where you’re paid in tail wags and doggy kisses.

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Sometimes called the “American dingo,” Carolina dogs weren’t bred and developed by enthusiasts—they were discovered running free in the 1970s, and it’s believed they were Native American companion dogs. Because of their recent, wild history, Carolina dogs can be shy and suspicious around people.

14. Catahoula Leopard Dog

Catahoula Leopard Dog lying down on sidewalk

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The Catahoula leopard dog dates back to the Louisiana Territory’s beginnings. Originally called the “Catahoula leopard cur,” the pup’s name officially changed when he became the State Dog of Louisiana in 1979. Catahoulas have striking merle coats and need a large, fenced-in yard to fulfill their hunting and herding instincts.

15. Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Outdoor portrait of Chesapeake Bay retriever, profile view

Even if you’re not a hunter, you need to keep your Chesapeake Bay retriever busy. He’ll love long hikes, games of fetch, and interactive toys to play with.

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16. Miniature American Shepherd

miniature american shepherd lying in moss

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Although miniature American shepherds are about half the size of their Aussie ancestors, they’re every bit as friendly, smart, and zoomy. They’re a newer dog (breeders began developing these pint-sized Aussies in the 1960s), and are sometimes referred to as “miniature Australian shepherds.”

17. Mountain Cur

Brindle mountain cur headshot

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Spend all your free time outside? The mountain cur will be by your side. Originally a working dog for early U.S. settlers, these pups were so valuable to the pioneers that they were often carried by pack animals (or even by their humans!) during travel. Today, they’re more than happy to walk through the prairies and mountains on their own four paws.

18. Rat Terrier

black and white rat terrier standing in grass in front of a horizontal fence

Rat terrier coats come in a wide variety of colors, including bicolor and tricolor patterns.

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Little rat terriers were first reliable Midwestern farmhands, but these tenacious terriers traded in their 9-to-5s to be full-time house dogs. But that doesn’t mean rat terriers are going to snooze on the couch all day—these little guys need daily exercise and stimulation so they don’t become bored.

19. Toy Fox Terrier

toy fox terrier wearing a thick floral collar

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There are three types of fox terriers: smooth, wire, and toy. Though the larger smooth and wire varieties were born across the pond in England, toy fox terriers were developed Stateside. The perfect balance between a feisty terrier and playful toy breed, these pups love to play and learn tricks.

20. Treeing Walker Coonhound

Treeing Walker Coonhound standing in lawn

With their tricolor coats of black, white, and tan, Treeing Walker coonhounds are dapper doggos.

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Treeing Walker coonhounds are another American hunting breed known for their love for exercise and the outdoors. But you don’t have to live on vast rural acreage to make one happy; Treeing Walker coonhounds are totally adaptable, and all they need to be happy is love from their favorite person.