Here you’ll find 37 Dog breeds that start with P, organized from “Papillon” to “Pyrenean Shepherd”. These breeds range from toy companions to large working dogs, often energetic, loyal, or independent. Many serve as companions, herders, hunters, or guard and show dogs around the world.
Dog breeds that start with P are a varied set that includes toy companions, herding dogs, and large working breeds. Historically, several—like the Papillon—rose to prominence in European courts as fashionable companion dogs.
Below you’ll find the table with origin, size category, and temperament.
Origin: Shows each breed’s country or region of origin so you understand heritage and climate adaptation.
Size category: Brief label (toy, small, medium, large, giant) that helps you judge space and exercise needs.
Temperament: Two to four adjectives summarizing typical behavior so you can match a breed to your lifestyle.
Dog breeds that start with P
| Breed | Scientific name | Origin | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papillon | Canis lupus familiaris | Belgium | 3–5 kg (7–11 lbs); 20–28 cm (8–11 in) |
| Parson Russell Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | England | 6–8 kg (13–18 lbs); 33–36 cm (13–14 in) |
| Patterdale Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | England (Lake District) | 6–8 kg (13–18 lbs); 25–30 cm (10–12 in) |
| Pekingese | Canis lupus familiaris | China | 3–6 kg (7–13 lbs); 15–23 cm (6–9 in) |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Canis lupus familiaris | Wales | 10–14 kg (22–31 lbs); 25–30 cm (10–12 in) |
| Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen | Canis lupus familiaris | Vendée, France | 18–20 kg (40–44 lbs); 34–38 cm (13–15 in) |
| Petit Bleu de Gascogne | Canis lupus familiaris | France | 25–30 kg (55–66 lbs); 52–58 cm (20–23 in) |
| Petit Gascon Saintongeois | Canis lupus familiaris | France | 20–25 kg (44–55 lbs); 50–55 cm (20–22 in) |
| Pharaoh Hound | Canis lupus familiaris | Malta | 20–25 kg (44–55 lbs); 53–63 cm (21–25 in) |
| Plott Hound | Canis lupus familiaris | United States (North Carolina) | 34–45 kg (75–99 lbs); 53–69 cm (21–27 in) |
| Poodle | Canis lupus familiaris | Germany | 20–32 kg (44–70 lbs); 45–60 cm (18–24 in) |
| Pug | Canis lupus familiaris | China | 6–8 kg (13–18 lbs); 25–30 cm (10–12 in) |
| Pointer | Canis lupus familiaris | England | 20–32 kg (44–70 lbs); 58–69 cm (23–27 in) |
| Polish Lowland Sheepdog | Canis lupus familiaris | Poland | 18–30 kg (40–66 lbs); 35–45 cm (14–18 in) |
| Polish Tatra Sheepdog | Canis lupus familiaris | Poland (Tatra Mountains) | 35–55 kg (77–121 lbs); 60–70 cm (24–28 in) |
| Polish Greyhound | Canis lupus familiaris | Poland | 25–35 kg (55–77 lbs); 65–75 cm (26–30 in) |
| Polish Hound | Canis lupus familiaris | Poland | 25–35 kg (55–77 lbs); 55–62 cm (22–24 in) |
| Pomeranian | Canis lupus familiaris | Pomerania (Central Europe) | 1.8–3.5 kg (4–8 lbs); 18–30 cm (7–12 in) |
| Pudelpointer | Canis lupus familiaris | Germany | 25–35 kg (55–77 lbs); 56–62 cm (22–24 in) |
| Puli | Canis lupus familiaris | Hungary | 10–15 kg (22–33 lbs); 36–45 cm (14–18 in) |
| Pumi | Canis lupus familiaris | Hungary | 9–15 kg (20–33 lbs); 35–45 cm (14–18 in) |
| Pyrenean Mountain Dog | Canis lupus familiaris | Pyrenees (France/Spain) | 45–60 kg (99–132 lbs); 70–82 cm (28–32 in) |
| Pyrenean Shepherd | Canis lupus familiaris | France | 10–15 kg (22–33 lbs); 35–45 cm (14–18 in) |
| Pyrenean Mastiff | Canis lupus familiaris | Spain | 50–80 kg (110–176 lbs); 70–82 cm (28–32 in) |
| Podenco Canario | Canis lupus familiaris | Canary Islands, Spain | 8–15 kg (18–33 lbs); 48–58 cm (19–23 in) |
| Portuguese Podengo | Canis lupus familiaris | Portugal | 5–30 kg (11–66 lbs); 20–65 cm (8–26 in) |
| Portuguese Water Dog | Canis lupus familiaris | Portugal | 16–25 kg (35–55 lbs); 43–57 cm (17–22 in) |
| Portuguese Pointer | Canis lupus familiaris | Portugal | 20–30 kg (44–66 lbs); 55–66 cm (22–26 in) |
| Portuguese Sheepdog | Canis lupus familiaris | Portugal | 13–22 kg (29–49 lbs); 44–52 cm (17–20 in) |
| Portuguese Mastiff | Canis lupus familiaris | Alentejo, Portugal | 40–60 kg (88–132 lbs); 60–75 cm (24–30 in) |
| Presa Canario | Canis lupus familiaris | Canary Islands, Spain | 30–50 kg (66–110 lbs); 55–65 cm (22–26 in) |
| Peruvian Inca Orchid | Canis lupus familiaris | Peru | 4–14 kg (9–31 lbs); 25–65 cm (10–26 in) |
| Poitevin | Canis lupus familiaris | Poitou, France | 25–30 kg (55–66 lbs); 57–67 cm (22–26 in) |
| Porcelaine | Canis lupus familiaris | France | 25–32 kg (55–70 lbs); 58–66 cm (23–26 in) |
| Pungsan Dog | Canis lupus familiaris | Korea | 20–30 kg (44–66 lbs); 50–60 cm (20–24 in) |
| Picardy Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris | Picardy, France | 20–25 kg (44–55 lbs); 58–64 cm (23–25 in) |
| Petit Brabançon | Canis lupus familiaris | Belgium | 3–4 kg (7–9 lbs); 18–22 cm (7–9 in) |
Descriptions
Papillon
friendly, alert, intelligent; companion; lively toy with large ears, very trainable but needs grooming and mental stimulation.
Parson Russell Terrier
energetic, bold, intelligent; hunting/companion; high-energy terrier with strong prey drive, needs exercise and consistent training.
Patterdale Terrier
tenacious, energetic, bold; working/hunting; hardy fell terrier with strong drive—best for active, experienced owners.
Pekingese
independent, affectionate, dignified; companion; calm indoor dog with regal air, needs coat care and can be stubborn.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
affectionate, bold, intelligent; herding/companion; active herding breed—short-legged, sheds heavily and enjoys jobs.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
friendly, determined, lively; hunting/companion; vocal scent hound with strong prey drive, needs exercise and scent work.
Petit Bleu de Gascogne
calm, sociable, scent-focused; hunting; deep-voiced scenthound with excellent endurance—needs space and regular activity.
Petit Gascon Saintongeois
gentle, lively, scent-driven; hunting; pack hound that thrives on scent work and outdoor exercise.
Pharaoh Hound
affectionate, playful, intelligent; hunting/companion; graceful sight hound—fast and retains strong prey instinct.
Plott Hound
brave, determined, energetic; hunting; tenacious tracker with loud baying—needs space and regular exercise.
Poodle
intelligent, alert, trainable; companion/working; highly trainable and versatile—requires mental stimulation and regular grooming.
Pug
charming, affectionate, mischievous; companion; brachycephalic—prone to breathing and heat issues, enjoys indoor life.
Pointer
energetic, affectionate, trainable; hunting; classic gundog with strong pointing instinct and high exercise needs.
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
intelligent, devoted, lively; herding; alert and adaptable shepherd with long coat requiring grooming.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog
calm, protective, independent; guardian/herding; large livestock guardian with strong protective instincts—needs socialisation.
Polish Greyhound
calm, independent, fast; hunting; sight hound requiring running space, may be reserved with strangers.
Polish Hound
steady, affectionate, scent-driven; hunting; reliable scenthound with strong nose and deep voice—needs regular exercise.
Pomeranian
lively, confident, friendly; companion; bold toy with heavy coat—needs grooming and mental engagement.
Pudelpointer
energetic, eager, trainable; hunting; versatile gundog bred for pointing and retrieving—requires active work.
Puli
spirited, intelligent, loyal; herding; distinctive corded coat—needs specialised grooming and active life.
Pumi
lively, alert, vocal; herding; agile herding dog that needs training and mental stimulation.
Pyrenean Mountain Dog
calm, protective, gentle; guardian/shepherd; devoted livestock guardian—very large and needs space.
Pyrenean Shepherd
energetic, intelligent, agile; herding; highly active and needs jobs and training to stay happy.
Pyrenean Mastiff
gentle, protective, calm; guardian; massive guardian breed—requires strong leadership and ample space.
Podenco Canario
alert, independent, energetic; hunting; agile rabbit hound with high prey drive—best for active owners.
Portuguese Podengo
energetic, agile, independent; hunting/companion; comes in three sizes—requires activity and scent work.
Portuguese Water Dog
energetic, loyal, intelligent; working/companion; loves water and needs exercise plus regular grooming.
Portuguese Pointer
energetic, affectionate, trainable; hunting; versatile pointer needing regular exercise and training.
Portuguese Sheepdog
intelligent, devoted, active; herding; hardy shepherd with long coat that requires brushing.
Portuguese Mastiff
calm, protective, loyal; guardian; powerful livestock guardian—needs early socialisation and ample space.
Presa Canario
confident, protective, strong-willed; guardian/working; powerful and territorial—requires experienced, firm handling.
Peruvian Inca Orchid
affectionate, alert, calm; companion; hairless or coated types—hairless requires skin care and sun protection.
Poitevin
sociable, determined, scent-driven; hunting; classic French scenthound—endurance and pack instincts.
Porcelaine
calm, energetic, scent-focused; hunting; elegant scenthound with stamina—needs regular fieldwork.
Pungsan Dog
loyal, courageous, independent; working/guardian; rare Korean mountain dog—requires experienced owner and space.
Picardy Spaniel
gentle, energetic, affectionate; hunting; versatile spaniel good at marsh work—likes regular exercise.
Petit Brabançon
alert, affectionate, lively; companion; compact toy with expressive face—needs socialisation and moderate grooming.