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Whether it’s The Beatles, Afternoon Tea or Shakespeare, England is famous for everything. But did you know there are more than 30 different types of dogs from the UK? Whether it’s the Queen’s beloved Corgi, the highly intelligent Border Collie or the Cocker Spaniel beloved as a family dog, Britain is home to many adorable breeds:
1. Airedale Terrier
Known as the “King of Hounds”. Originally from Airedale, Yorkshire, Airedale Terriers are the largest of the terrier breeds. This English breed was bred to hunt otters and mice. Airedale Terriers are very intelligent, making them ideal for agility and obedience competitions.
Airedale Terriers should be exercised one to two hours a day as they are active dogs and need exercise to stay healthy. They’re also perfect family dogs, as they tend to get along well with children and maintain a playful, puppy-like temperament even as they get older.
2. Clumber Spaniel
The Clumber Spaniel got its name originally from the Duke of Newcastle, as it was named after his residence, Clumber Park. They are the largest of all spaniel breeds and are known for their excellent hunting skills. According to history, they were once known for their success all over England and were sought after by the nobility.
This English dog breed is a popular family pet because of its loyal and affectionate nature. Because of their intelligence and willingness to be trained, it’s the breed for dog owners who want to be actively involved with their dogs.
3. Beagle
Beagles are one of the most famous dog breeds in the world. They are medium-sized dogs, 33-40 cm tall at the withers. With their large loyal eyes and cheerful disposition, it’s easy to see why this English breed has won the hearts of so many families. But did you know that beagles also make great working dogs? Their noses have around 220 million odor receptors (nearly as many as bloodhounds), making them very good scent collectors.
Their super strong noses combined with their friendly faces have even earned them beagle positions at airports that provide security. They can sniff out any type of contraband carefully, and their cute appearance makes them less intimidating to those who are afraid of dogs.
4. Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog comes from the Shetland Islands in Scotland and was bred as a herding dog to guard sheep and protect farmers’ land from possible threats. Also known as Shelties or Shetland Sheepdogs, they are one of the smartest dog breeds.
They excel in obedience and agility competitions, mostly because of their eagerness to learn and high IQ. Shelties are gentle and sensitive, and with strong herding instincts, they are very careful with humans. Shetland Sheepdogs also get along well with children, as long as they’re not too rowdy and ferocious. Shelties are very active, so they need plenty of exercise and exercise. Dog sports are great for active English breeds, but you are free to choose which type.
5. Corgi
Possibly one of the most British breeds of all time, the corgi is world famous for being the queen’s favorite canine companion. But despite their royal reputation and small size, Corgis were originally bred to herd cattle, sheep, and even horses!
Corgis originally came from Pembrokeshire, Wales. Therefore, they are also known as Welsh corgis. They were once thought to come from the land of fairies and elves, and with their cute, pointy, elf-like ears and petite stature, it’s not hard to see where these fairy tales come from. Despite their small size, Corgis need a lot of exercise, preferably in a spacious area.
6. Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier hails from former mining areas in the north of England and was used primarily by itinerant tinkerers and scissor grinders to hunt rabbits and mice. Due to their hunting success, nobles soon took notice of them and used them as hunting dogs. They grow up to 41 cm tall and are therefore one of the medium-sized dog breeds.
Today, this English breed is a very affectionate member of the family and is known for its affectionate nature. However, these dogs require a lot of mental and physical stimulation.
7. Manchester Terrier
In Manchester, the terrier dates back to the early 1600s and is one of the oldest terrier breeds. Known as the “Gentleman Terrier” in Victorian England, this English breed was thought to be a cross between a whippet and a black and tan terrier, and was specialized in hunting mice.
Many people think that the Manchester Terrier looks like a Miniature Pinscher, but that’s actually because that’s one of the original breeds from which the Doberman Pinscher originated! They are friendly and energetic companions, but their high sensitivity along with their courage and alertness make them a breed for experienced dog owners.
8. Border Collie
The Border Collie is one of the hardest working dogs that ever lived. It got its name from the fact that it was originally bred as a sheepdog on the Scottish and English borders. This English breed is still used today on farms around the world.
Border Collies need at least two hours of exercise per day, but ideally even more. Border Collies are true workaholics and are always happiest when active. Because of this, they are not ideal for families looking for a laid-back dog breed, as they can fall into destructive habits if not given physical and mental exercise.
9. English Cocker Spaniel
By 1870, the English Cocker Spaniel was classified as the same race as the English Springer Spaniel. However, people eventually recognized the differences in appearance, which contributed to the separation of the two races.
The word “cocker” comes from woodcock, the English word for woodcock. Because this is the bird that this English breed was bred to hunt. Today, they are popular family pets due to their extremely gentle nature and people-oriented personality. However, if you are away from home for long periods of time, the Cocker Spaniel is not the right choice for you.
10. Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier, an English breed of dog, is known for its agility and intelligent disposition as well as its high prey drive. They were originally bred for fox hunting about 200 years ago, but are now popular with farmers because they are also excellent mouse hunters.
Due to their high intelligence level, they are easy to train, but be prepared to spend a lot of time training them. Jack Russell Terriers don’t tolerate boredom, so it’s important to make sure the training sessions are fun and give the dog plenty of daily exercise.
11. Lakeland Terrier
In the Lake District, the Terrier is a hardy English breed of dog from the scenic Lake District. A stocky, thick-furred dog, he was originally bred for hunting foxes and was a strong little terrier.
The Lakeland Terrier has an open, trusting and intelligent nature. They are very active and require physical and mental challenges, which is why they are especially good family dogs for active families.
So these are our top 11 British and British dog breeds! If you’d like to learn more about the different types of dogs, check out our dog breed directory.
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