In the United States, there are currently 195 dog breeds registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) lists over 360 different breeds. This is not including popular crossbreeds, which essentially more than doubles these numbers! So what are the dog breeds with N as the first letter?
We put together this list of all the dogs we could find, both pure and hybrid breeds, that begin with the letter N.
The 27 Dog Breeds That Start With N:
1. Native American Indian Dog
These dogs come in two different sizes, coat lengths, and color combinations. The Native American Indian Dog originated in the U.S.A. and has been recreated based on historical information of the now-extinct original Native American breed. They are large dogs that can measure up to 34 inches tall and weigh up to 120 pounds. They are highly intelligent and easy to train but are also sensitive pooches that don’t take well to harsh training methods.
2. Native American Shepherd
A hybrid of the Native American Indian Dog and the Belgian Shepherd, these dogs are unflinchingly loyal and become highly attached to their owners. They are dedicated family dogs that are gentle with children and friendly with other dogs and pets. They are energetic dogs that require a fair amount of daily exercise, and their dedication to pleasing their owners makes them easy to train.
3. Native American Village Dog
Another cross of the Native American Indian dog, this time with a German Shepherd, the Native American Village Dog is a powerful working dog that is as athletic and strong as they are intelligent, making them easy to train. They make great family pets for novice dog owners and are kind and gentle around children and other pets.
4. Neapolitan Boxer
A cross between a Boxer and Neapolitan Mastiff, these dogs inherit the best of both their parent breeds. They resemble a Boxer, although larger, and have the intellect and temperament of both parent breeds. Despite their size, they are docile dogs that don’t require a huge amount of exercise and prefer to lounge near their owners. That being said, they will quickly jump into action when a walk is on the cards.
5. Neapolitan Mastiff
These massive dogs are a sight to behold, and their intimidating appearance makes them excellent guard dogs. They have disproportionately large heads dripping with folds and wrinkles, making for a truly unique breed indeed. They can reach weights of over 150 pounds with their large bones and excess skin. Behind this imposing appearance is a loving, loyal, and gentle pooch that will defend their owners to the death.
6. Nebolish Mastiff
Far smaller than their Neapolitan cousins, the Nebolish Mastiff is the most agile of the Mastiff breeds. They are still large, tough, and powerful animals, though, and they are highly alert and dignified. They have an even-tempered and sweet character that is loyal and easy to train, but they can be strong-willed and stubborn at times, making them not an ideal choice for novice dog owners.
7. Nehi Saint Bernard
Also known as the Miniature Saint Bernard, the Nehi Saint Bernard was bred to be a smaller, easier-to-manage version of their giant parents. The exact genetic mix that makes up these pooches can vary but includes Cocker Spaniels and English Shepherds. Just like their Saint Bernard parents, they are gentle, calm, and loving animals that make great family pets.
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8. Nenets Herding Laika
Hailing from the northernmost reaches of the Russian Tundra, the Nenets Herding Laika is a rare breed in the U.S.A. They are the ancestor of the Samoyed and are also known as Reindeer Herding Laika due to their use by the Nenets people, who keep domesticated reindeer. Laikas are loyal, intelligent, and protective animals that have a long history of working with humans.
9. New Guinea Singing Dog
Native to the island of New Guinea, the New Guinea Singing Dog is a rare and unique breed indeed. These dogs are known for their distinctive and melodious howl that closely resembles singing. The howl has a distinctive bird-like sound, and these dogs can often be heard howling together in synchronized chorus.
10. New Shep
The New Shep is a hybrid breed, a cross between the mighty Newfoundland and the loyal German Shepherd. The result is a highly intelligent dog that is friendly with almost everyone and is great around children and other pets. This is a fairly new “designer” breed, and breeders can be a challenge to find.
11. New Zealand Herding Dog
These alert, intelligent, and agile dogs were bred to be workers and are rivaled only by Border Collies in their ability to herd sheep. They have almost endless energy and stamina, so if they are not put to use working, they’ll need a ton of exercise. They are friendly and gentle dogs that are great around children but can get overzealous at times and mistakenly knock smaller kids over.
12. New Zealand Huntaway
A large, powerful, and agile breed used for herding sheep in their native New Zealand, these dogs are known for their loud, deep bark. They are a fairly new breed and as such, have very few known genetic diseases, making them robust and healthy working dogs. They are high energy and consequently, need a great deal of regular exercise if they are not being put to work.
13. Newfoundland Dog
Affectionately known as a “Newfie” by breeders, the massive Newfoundland is one of the world’s largest dog breeds. Despite their imposing size, they are gentle and sweet-natured dogs that rarely show aggression, and they generally get along well with other dogs and pets. They are great with kids too, earning them the reputation of “nanny dog” due to their gentle and patient nature. They can reach up to 150 pounds in weight and up to 28 inches in height.
14. Newfypoo
A cross between the giant Newfoundland and the intelligent Poodle, the Newfypoo also goes by the names “Newdle” and “Newfydoodle.” With the Newfoundland’s love of water and the Poodle’s history as a waterfowl gundog, this is a breed that loves to be in the water. They are not as large as their Newfoundland parent, but they still require a great deal of yard space to be happy — these dogs will not do well in apartments.
15. Norrbottenspets
This Spitz-type dog was bred for hunting in Finland and Switzerland but in recent times, has become a popular companion animal. They are fearless, alert, and incredibly agile dogs with tough and sinewy bodies that allow them to withstand harsh terrain. Behind this fearless and tough exterior is a sweet, loving, and gentle dog that makes a great family companion.
16. Norfolk Spaniel
The Norfolk Spaniel is a now-extinct breed that was described as resembling a large Cocker Spaniel. They went extinct in the early 20th century when they were included in the new English Springer Spaniel breeds created by the AKC, which included all Spaniel breeds of this type under one classification.
17. Norfolk Terrier
Hailing from Norfolk in Great Britain, these are small dogs with a ton of character, leading them to be considered as a big dog trapped in a small dog’s body. This, of course, can get them into trouble at times, as they have a bark far larger than their bite and a fearless and courageous quality. That being said, they get along with just about everybody and make ideal family pets.
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18. Nortese
The Nortese is a hybrid breed, a cross between a Maltese and Norwich terrier. Both the parent breeds are fairly different both in size and appearance, so the offspring can vary greatly. That being said, they are generally friendly and social dogs that love to be around their owners but can be wary of strangers at first. While they are generally gentle, they have a possessive streak that can sometimes lead to snapping.
19. North American Indian Dog
These regal dogs are often mistaken for wolves or wolf hybrids due to their striking appearance but are actually a landrace developed in the 1980s. These resilient, intelligent, and highly trainable dogs have a great deal of strength, stamina, and endurance. These beautiful dogs are rare and should be taken on by experienced dog owners only.
20. North Country Beagle
The North Country Beagle is a now-extinct breed that existed until the early 19th century. While the exact time of extinction is not known, many breeders believe that they were gradually interbred with other similar breeds, notably the modern Beagle, so the breed slowly ceased to exist. They were reportedly faster and larger than the modern-day Beagle, with a longer snout and smaller ears.
21. Northern Inuit Dog
These dogs closely resemble wolves and were in fact, bred to appear as such. Despite their close resemblance, there is no wolf DNA in them, and they are actually a crossbreed, although breeders are unsure of which breeds were involved. Many speculate that they were developed by crossing Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and German Shepherds, but this is unsubstantiated. They have recently exploded in popularity due to their appearance in the TV show “Game of Thrones.”
22. Norwegian Buhund
This Spitz-type breed served for centuries as loyal herders, guard dogs, and all-round working dogs in their native Norway. They are a cheerful and active breed that does not tire easily and requires a great deal of daily exercise. These friendly dogs are known for their love of children and make kind and gentle family companions. With their dedicated and loyal nature, they form strong bonds with their owners and do not enjoy being left alone for extended periods.
23. Norwegian Elkhound
A Spitz-type breed hailing from Norway, Norwegian Elkhounds are known for their courage and innate tracking ability, often employed to track down large game like elk, bears, and even wolves. They are strong and hardy dogs yet also playful and boisterous at times. They are loyal dogs that bond quickly with their owners, making them great family companions.
24. Norwegian Hound
Also known as a “Dunker,” the Norwegian Hound is a medium-sized scent hound hailing from Norway. They are a friendly, noble, and relaxed breed that loves to be around people and loves having a specific job to do. Without sufficient mental and physical stimulation, these dogs will quickly turn to barking, chewing, or more rarely, aggression.
25. Norwegian Lundehund
This tiny Spitz-type breed hails from the rocky island of Vaeroy in Norway. They have a unique heritage in that they are the only dog breed ever developed specifically for Puffin hunting. Thankfully, the practice is now outlawed, and these dogs are now popular family companions. They have a quirky trait not often seen in dogs in which they can, at will, fold their ears closed, forward, or backward.
26. Norwich Terrier
Originating in Norwich in the United Kingdom, the sprightly Norwich Terrier is an expert ratter and was also used for flushing foxes from their dens. While they are affectionate and friendly dogs, they will need a great deal of exercise to stay happy and out of trouble. They are generally not aggressive and are fairly easy to train, but they have a powerful prey drive that can be difficult to keep at bay.
27. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever was breed to “toll,” or lure, duck and waterfowl for hunters. They are highly obedient, intelligent, and easy to train, making them a great choice for novice owners. They are high-energy pooches, though, and need a great deal of regular exercise. They are a fairly rare breed in the U.S.A. and are one of the smallest retriever breeds recognized by the AKC.
Featured Image Credit: Natalia Fedosova, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 27 Dog Breeds That Start With N:
- 1. Native American Indian Dog
- 2. Native American Shepherd
- 3. Native American Village Dog
- 4. Neapolitan Boxer
- 5. Neapolitan Mastiff
- 6. Nebolish Mastiff
- 7. Nehi Saint Bernard
- 8. Nenets Herding Laika
- 9. New Guinea Singing Dog
- 10. New Shep
- 11. New Zealand Herding Dog
- 12. New Zealand Huntaway
- 13. Newfoundland Dog
- 14. Newfypoo
- 15. Norrbottenspets
- 16. Norfolk Spaniel
- 17. Norfolk Terrier
- 18. Nortese
- 19. North American Indian Dog
- 20. North Country Beagle
- 21. Northern Inuit Dog
- 22. Norwegian Buhund
- 23. Norwegian Elkhound
- 24. Norwegian Hound
- 25. Norwegian Lundehund
- 26. Norwich Terrier
- 27. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever
