This list includes 13 Dog breeds that start with R, from “Rafeiro do Alentejo” to “Russian-European Laika”. These breeds range from large livestock guardians to compact companion dogs. You commonly find them used for guarding, herding, hunting, and family companionship.
Dog breeds that start with R are established breeds whose names begin with the letter R. For example, the Rafeiro do Alentejo guarded Portuguese farms for centuries, while Laikas hunted across northern Eurasia.
Below you’ll find the table with origin, size category, and temperament.
Origin: Shows where each breed originally comes from, helping you understand cultural background and environmental suitability.
Size category: Tells you if a breed is toy, small, medium, large, or giant to set space and care expectations.
Temperament: Lists two to four concise adjectives describing typical behavior, so you gauge compatibility with your household and lifestyle.
Dog breeds that start with R
| Breed | Scientific name | Origin | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafeiro do Alentejo | Canis lupus familiaris | Portugal | giant (40–60 kg) |
| Rajapalayam | Canis lupus familiaris | India | large (25–35 kg) |
| Rat Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | United States | small (5–11 kg) |
| Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz | Canis lupus familiaris | Spain | small (8–12 kg) |
| Redbone Coonhound | Canis lupus familiaris | United States | large (25–34 kg) |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | Canis lupus familiaris | Southern Africa | large (30–36 kg) |
| Rottweiler | Canis lupus familiaris | Germany | large (35–60 kg) |
| Rough Collie | Canis lupus familiaris | Scotland | medium (20–30 kg) |
| Russian Toy | Canis lupus familiaris | Russia | toy (2–4 kg) |
| Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka | Canis lupus familiaris | Russia | toy (3–6 kg) |
| Russian Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris | Russia | medium (15–25 kg) |
| Rastreador Brasileiro | Canis lupus familiaris | Brazil | large (25–34 kg) |
| Russian-European Laika | Canis lupus familiaris | Russia | medium (18–25 kg) |