Count: 0. No established dog breeds begin with the letter Q in the major registries and reference works used for authoritative lists (AKC, FCI, The Kennel Club and reputable breed encyclopedias). This absence holds across global, long-standing breed lists and recognized regional varieties. Interesting detail: Q is one of the rare initial letters for animal breed names, so an empty result for “Dog breeds that start with Q” is expected rather than an oversight.

Accept that the reason is linguistic and historical. Established breed names usually come from places, jobs, physical traits, or people, and those source words rarely start with Q in the languages that named most breeds. Breed recognition also requires stable, well-documented history and club recognition; nicknames, fleeting designer crosses, and local aliases that might begin with Q do not meet those standards. Close matches exist as informal or alternative names — for example, “Queensland Heeler” is a colloquial name for the Australian Cattle Dog — but such labels are regional nicknames rather than separate, recognized breeds. Consult major kennel club registries when in doubt.