Can you guess the dog breed from just their outline?

Hint: This independent dog grooms itself like a cat and emits piercing screams when unhappy.

Answer: Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu (Japanese for "brushwood dog") is a very independent breed. Thanks to this, the dogs are next to impossible to train; however, what they lack in obedience, they make up for in loyalty. After the 2004 Chūetsu earthquake, a Shiba Inu helped rescue workers locate her elderly owner, who was trapped beneath the rubble. The ordeal was adapted into a movie called "A Tale of Mari and Three Puppies."

Hint: This is the largest of the terrier breeds.

Answer: Airedale terrier

The Airedales were instrumental in World War I when they served as messengers and guard dogs. Don't be fooled, though: They may be the largest terriers, but they possess just as much energy as their smaller counterparts.

Hint: This breed is known for its perpetually wagging tail.

Answer: Flat-coated retriever

The AKC deemed this relatively recent breed the "Peter Pan of the sporting group" for its youthful vibrancy and happy-go-lucky attitude. The breed is named for its flat-lying coat, which is either black or dark reddish-brown.

Hint: This German breed is characterized by its distinctive beard.

Answer: Standard schnauzer

Standard schnauzers were actually bred to seek out vermin, and their trademark whiskers serve a purpose: their fur mats together to prevent rats and other small animals from biting them while they hunt.

Hint: Bred in Argentina, this dog was born to help with big-game hunting.

Answer: Dogo Argentino

Muscular and athletic, the Dogo Argentino was originally bred to hunt large animals, like pumas, which required agility and strength. Today, the Argentine breed is gaining popularity among Americans, who appreciate the dogs for their loyalty and excellent companionship.

Hint: This breed is known for its egg-shaped head.

Answer: Bull terrier

Thanks to its distinctive look, the bull terrier has a history of being the spokesdog for famous brands. Notable members of the breed include Target's Bullseye and Bud Light's Spuds MacKenzie, who, despite being a ladies' man in the commercials, was actually a female named Honey Tree Evil Eye.

Hint: This breed of the British Isles is known for its mahogany coat.

Answer: Irish setter

Americans' love for Irish setters may have started with a dog named Elcho, the first Irish setter to become a statewide show dog in the late 1800s. Elcho is believed to have fathered 197 puppies.

Hint: This breed's droopy ears serve a purpose other than heightened hearing.

Answer: Basset hound

The basset hound's most recognizable trait is a toss-up between its long ears, droopy eyes, and piercing howls. The breed is also known for its keen sense of smell, second only to bloodhounds. In fact, those long ears help sweep smells toward the basset hound's nose. Basset hounds have also been frequently featured in pop culture, including Walt Disney animated films and a variety of television series, such as "Columbo" and "The Dukes of Hazzard."

Hint: This ancient toy breed hails from China.

Answer: Shih tzu

Translated from Chinese to English as "lion dog," shih tzus were originally bred in China to serve as lapdogs for royalty. Centuries later, they have not forgotten their pampered roots. Shih tzu live for naps on the laps of their owners. The breed is also among the friendliest in the world, constantly showing affection and always eager to make new friends.

Hint: This herding dog first worked Welsh farms over 3,000 years ago.

Answer: Cardigan Welsh corgi

Despite not being Queen Elizabeth II's preferred corgi breed, Cardigan Welsh corgis have been around longer than their Pembroke cousins, dating back approximately 3,000 years. These reliable little animals are farm dogs at heart, and they're right at home working with livestock or keeping mice out of the barn.

Hint: This gentle giant is both fearless and docile.

Answer: Bullmastiff

Originally bred to be guard dogs, the bullmastiff is muscular and brave and makes a great family companion. Possibly the most famous bullmastiff in America is Butkus, Sylvester Stallone's pet, who appeared in the movie "Rocky" when they couldn't afford a trained movie dog.

Hint: This elite working dog is the breed of choice for military and police K-9 units worldwide.

Answer: Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is known for its exceptional tracking abilities. These dogs can detect odors, hunt down suspects, and locate injured persons more effectively than most other breeds in search and rescue missions. Because of this, these dogs are used by the Secret Service to guard the White House grounds. The breed's popularity rose after one appeared in the 2015 family film "Max," but it is important to remember these dogs require plenty of stimulation and exercise; otherwise, they may develop destructive and neurotic behaviors.

Hint: This breed is Japan's national treasure.

Answer: Akita

Akita's most recognizable features are their webbed toes and curly, plush tail. Originally known simply as snow country dogs, the breed hails from the mountainous region of Japan, where they were used to track and hunt wild boar, deer, elk, and bears. Author and activist Helen Keller is said to have brought the breed into the U.S. in 1937, and Akitas have since become known for their remarkable loyalty. Arguably, the most famous Akita in history is Hachikō, a dog who waited for its owner for more than nine years after his death.

Hint: Here's the largest of the three schnauzer varieties.

Answer: Giant schnauzer

Giant schnauzers demand respect, but once they have it, they will make exceptional guard dogs. Originally, this powerful breed drove cattle to market; today, they're still keen workers who thrive on tasks, even ones as simple as fetching your shoes.

Hint: This breed is named for its butterfly-like ears.

Answer: Papillon

Papillon got their name thanks to their ears (the word translates to "butterfly" in French). Unlike many other toy breeds, these tiny spaniels aren't big on lounging and are surprisingly athletic. Papillon owners should be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time playing with and exercising their energetic dogs.

Hint: This ancient guard dog is one of the heaviest breeds.

Answer: Mastiff

Mastiffs are descendants of ancient Molossers, which are said to have originated in Tibet or northern India, where they were used to guard flocks against predators. Mastiffs are considered one of the world's largest breeds, standing approximately 30 inches tall and weighing between 120 pounds and 230 pounds. A 343-pound mastiff named Zorba earned his status as the world's heaviest dog, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Although their massive size makes them intimidating, these dogs are surprisingly patient and affectionate, just ask the kids in the 1993 movie "The Sandlot."

Hint: This is the world's smallest dog breed.

Answer: Chihuahua

The chihuahua is much more than Taco Bell's former spokesdog. These small dogs have very big personalities and perhaps even bigger hearts. Chihuahuas develop exceptionally strong bonds with their owners. Standing between 5 and 8 inches tall and weighing at most 6 pounds, Chihuahuas are naive about their small stature and are considered to be one of the best watchdogs, thanks to their alertness and proclivity to bark at suspicious activity.

Hint: This miniature sighthound was a favorite of Renaissance nobility.

Answer: Italian greyhound

In the past, Italian greyhounds were the favorite dogs of aristocrats. Their sleek appearance and affection for being in their owners' laps make it easy to see why so many people fall in love with this breed. Italian greyhounds aren't just terrific snugglers who love burrowing under blankets, either; they're also extremely fast and can run up to 25 miles per hour.

Hint: This compact bird dog was originally bred in France.

Answer: Brittany

Brittanys get their name from the area where they were developed hundreds of years ago: the westernmost region of France. They are primarily bird dogs, hunting anything and everything covered in feathers. Brittanys tend to be hyperactive and are therefore best paired with owners who can match their boundless energy with plenty of physical stimulation. Their exceptional exuberance also makes them quality companions for children, albeit only those old enough not to get trampled by the dog during a burst of enthusiasm.

Hint: This is the tallest of all dog breeds.

Answer: Irish wolfhound

The Irish wolfhound is so old that it has its own motto. In ancient Rome, the breed was described as "gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked." The dogs came by the motto naturally, as they were big game hunters who could easily take down elk.

All done! Here's how you measured up.

18-20

Doge: Wow. Such knowledge! You're a canine encyclopedia.

14-17

Best in show: Great work! You clearly know your dog breeds—only a handful stumped you.

7-13

Dog park regular: Not bad! You've got some breeds down, but the trickier ones may have slipped past you.

0-6

Better luck next time: Every dog has its day, but this one wasn't yours. Time to study up!

Note: This content was created with the assistance of AI tools and has been thoroughly reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by Stacker's editorial team to ensure accuracy, reliability, and alignment with our editorial standards.