Some fantastic breeds begin with the letter C, from small dogs like the tiny cairn terrier and the fluffy Coton de Tulear to large species like the cane Corso or the Chinese Shar-pei.
The dogs listed below are breeds that the American Kennel Club has recognized.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Cairn Terrier
The Cairn terrier stands at 10 inches with distinctly noticeable eyes. The dog weighs up to 14 pounds if well-fed.
A fantastic attribute of this dog is the wiry coat that keeps them warm. Their puppies are far more warm-hearted for those who like pets. Those lucky to have this dog can enjoy them for up to 15 years.
Their small-sized body makes them a favorite dog for travelers, making them easy to transport. Cairns terriers are not only social but also trainable for outdoor gaming events.
Canaan Dog
The Canaan dog is an alert dog that looks aggressive from afar and comes in various color patterns. They have an always-rounded tail that curves upwards towards their front.
The dog stands at heights of up to 24 inches. Its weight can reach up to 55 pounds. The Canaan dogs are confident, and if trained well, t can deliver splendid security at home or elsewhere.
The downside, however, is its aggressiveness in that it does not entertain strangers. Its ears are wide-open, listening to any unexpected sounds that may arise within its environment.
The dog also boasts strong legs that unleash unmatched agility when running — the Canaan dog ages gracefully up to 15 years.
Cane Corso
The loyalty of the cane Corso is unmatched, having a shared history of having participated in wars. The cane Corso dog breed, which was bigger in past times, has helped chase enemies during ancient wars.
The cane Corso can sometimes weigh more than 100 pounds, depending on height.
Standing at 28 inches, the dog showcases a big head accompanied by a front-protruding nose.
Their glittering eyes are well-positioned for sight and can sometimes scare when observed from afar.
Their lower neck is complemented by a vast mass of loosely hanging coats below their lower jaw.
The cane Corso’Corso’ses are very kind-hearted and have soft, undemanding coats that insulate them from the cold.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The Cardigan Welsh corgi is a cute, friendly, intelligent British dog. Their name, “corgi, “ is derived from the ancient word, Kergi, which stands for dog.
Corgis can age up to 15 years. They have a relatively short height of about 12.5 inches, accompanied by various coat color patterns such as red, white, dark, brown, and blue.
Corgis are uniquely characterized by erect wide-open ears, an alert face, short legs, and a bold chest.
Their short legs do not give justice to them. Corgis have superb agility and fast speeds for their size.
Due to their social behavior, this non-tiring and always-available dog can be a great companion. They are very trainable for outdoor activities.
The dog is anchored on its feet by its unfailing weight of up to 38 pounds. They have a broad bushy-like tails.
Carolina Dog
The Carolina Dog shares a distinguished history with Asian Indians who moved to North America. This breed, from afar, reflects a few characteristics of the wolf.
They are usually ready for anything that comes their way. Despite their slender body, they will not shy from barking at strangers.
The Carolina Dog can sometimes weigh an ideal 55 pounds. They are also defined by their relatively elevated heights of up to 19.5 inches.
The Carolina dog is an independent-minded dog with a slender-hocked tail that forms well with its slimmer body.
Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula leopard dog is American. They are named after LouisiLouisiana’soula Parish located.
The dog measures up to 24 inches in height. Their bodies can weigh a whopping 95 pounds once in the adult stage. This dog radiates positivity from afar and can live for 10-14 years.
Their compact body and strong limbs for movement are easy to identify. The leopard dog has excellent physical performance.
Their prominent ears fall towards their side cheeks. The Catahoula’s glass-like eyes. Their smooth coat is uniquely patched and can be colored in various colors ranging from red, gray, and black to blue merle.
The dog is completed by a whip-like tail, which is relatively long and slender.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
The Caucasian shepherd, also known as the Caucasian Ovcharka, is a huge Georgian Dog that is handsome, protective, and extraordinary in many ways.
This dog is one of the heaviest on the list, weighing up to 170 pounds. Strong muscular limbs support these large weights.
Their life expectancy, just like many dogs, is within the 10-12 years range. Their thick and heavy coat is well-developed for warmth while in the cold and exists in many attractive colors.
Their body is raised to heights up to 30 inches above the ground.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The amount of tenderness unleashed by this dog is immeasurable. A small body characterizes this dog, and it makes a great companion.
You can carry him or her in your vehicle if you want to have a memorable time together, but they would instead be taken out for walks.
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is affectionate to his or her owners. Their compassion is not limited to their owners, as it rarely barks at strangers unless provoked.
This spaniel is also well adapted to apartment living. This dog’s features that are easy to point out are its fat tail and hairs that fall beside the two ears.
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel can weigh up to 18 pounds while standing at 13 inches.
Central Asian Shepherd
This dog is highly confident, large, protective, and strong. The dog was bred to guard livestock in the Central Asian region, giving them the name.
His gigantic face alone might scare you from afar, making them an excellent yard dog. The size of their body gives an intimidating physical presence. The Central Asian shepherd has a great sense of independence and is fearless.
They may be a little bit territorial and unwelcoming to strangers. When it comes to grooming, the well-developed undercoat requires little cleaning, although its nails need to be trimmed occasionally.
In adulthood, these mighty dogs can gain lots of weight, reaching 110 pounds. They can also stand up to 28 inches tall.
Cesky Terrier
No breed has a curly cotton-like coat like the Cesky terrier, also known as the bohemian terrier. Their fur-covered head is well-formed, with a wedge-like shape.
The dog’s horizontal body rises to a height of 13 inches. The dog stands on short limbs that support weights of up to 24 pounds. Its triangular-shaped ears fall towards its cheeks. The tail is also unforgettably strong, with a slight curve at its end. The Cesky is kind-hearted and playful and will have non-stop fun with your kids at home.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
This giant dog, also called the Chessie, traces its origin to the USA. They are well known for their resilience and roughness in hunting in the cold.
They are also obedient, trainable, protective, and family-friendly, making them a perfect match for many homes.
The dogs are small and fall towards their cheeks. A well-grown Chessie can weigh up to 80 pounds. Standing 26 inches tall, this retriever can spot almost any prey that comes in its way.
The Chesapeake Bay retriever has a mighty broad chest and strong, agile legs that keep it on the list of some of the best runners in hunting. They have a well-developed double coat well adapted to cold weather conditions. Their skin comes in red, brown, or white-spotted colors. The dog isn’t fussy about its environment and can live in apartments for those who may wish to have a Chesapeake as their pet.
Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is one of the most miniature dogs on this list. A full-grown Chihuahua can weigh as much as 6 pounds. Its body forms well with its short legs and is raised at a maximum height of about 8 inches.
Chihuahuas are playful and charming but are delicate dogs. They require dedicated care at most times of their life. The Chihuahua, whose origin is Mexican, also carries lots of positivity.
This breed is very affectionate and will accompany you as a friend throughout your life. Their small size makes them a good dog that one can accommodate anywhere.
Like many other dogs, Chihuahuas grow gracefully to ripe 17 years. They have an attractive coat ranging from smooth to long-haired and come in many colors.
Chinese Crested
The Chinese crested has a beautiful appearance and is among the best toy dogs. Their head is covered by long, falling bundles of hairs that seem to grow near their two ears, cheeks, and foreheads.
The hairless Chinese crested dog has a long slender body that almost looks naked from afar. The Chinese crested can sometimes look bushy, giving a nice finish to the dog.
The dog can weigh 12 pounds if well-grown. They stand at the height of 13 inches from the ground. The Chinese crest is a dog that requires attention and regular grooming. They can live for as long as 18 years.
There is also a powder puff variety that has hair on their bodies.
Chinese Shar-pei
If you have ever seen a Chinese Shar-pei, you will know one thing about them. Wrinkles! Wrinkles! Wrinkles!
It is the best description I can give of this handsome dog. The shar-pei traces its origins to China. Their body is covered in a loose, wrinkled seductive coat that looks almost like a curvy towel.
The Shar-pei is the dog that makes you want to hug it. The shar-pei is the epitome of humility and tenderness. This breed is unique in that they have a blue-black tongue.
A Shar-pei can rise to heights of 20 inches and weigh up to 60 pounds. Despite their extensively folded coat, they also have unique eyes well placed into their sockets.
The Shar-pei has a rounded tail that is hugely admirable. The Shar-pei is also playful and can deliver ample amounts of fun to his or her owners. This fun can continue endlessly for about 12 years.
Chinook
The Chinook is a robust and loyal working dog whose source is linked with New Hampshire. Due to their incredible energy, the chinook loves outdoor exercises.
This dog is the epitome of energy, loves exercise, and should thus be given at least one hour of thorough training daily.
Grooming is another priority you must have in mind with the chinook. They are strong, agile, and large enough to scare away trespassers. The chinook makes a wonderful pet for the right person due to its social character.
The Chinook can weigh as much as 90 pounds. They are alert at all times. Its height reaches up to 26 inches. A long lifetime of about 15 years is a possibility for the chinook. Grooming should also not be forgotten for this breed. Its double-coated coat is usually, in most cases, well-decorated in red-golden colors.
Chow Chow
The show, a dog from China, is almost lion-like. This should not scare you since they are full of faithfulness, affection, and tenderness. The food has a big head that has small prominent ears.
They also have a double coat, which grows lots of furs. Grooming is, therefore, a necessity for Chow Chow. This dog can be smooth or rough and comes in cream, reddish, blue, and black colors.
Chow chows can stand at heights of up to 20 inches and weigh up to 70 pounds. They also have a cotton-like tail that is, at most times, curved upwards towards the front.
Significant attributes of chow that are unique to identify are its admirable walking and the purple-bluish tongue. The puppies are even more attractive and radiate great positivity early. Chow chows can live for up to 20 years.
Cirneco del Etna
The Cirneco del Etna is a medium-sized hunting dog whose origin lies in Italy. This dog has been known to survive even in the harshest terrains, and they are full of endurance.
They are defined by a slim body whose coat is close-fitting. The rear is made up of a slender tail that rules the back. The triangular-rounded ears are always erect and seem to pick up every sound close by.
Their coat mainly occurs in light sand colors. Its solid and muscular limbs support the Cirneco to a height of up to 20 inches.
A fully grown Cirneco can weigh as much as 26 pounds. Therefore, it may be a good dog if you want a strong, independent, but slender-bodied dog.
Clumber Spaniel
Much cannot be said without mentioning the Clumber spaniel, which traces its heritage to the United Kingdom.
This dog has received fame for being a bird hunter. The Clumber reaches heights of about 20 inches. Their bodies can weigh as much as 85 pounds with proper feeding.
The breed boasts a thick white coat t covering the ClumbeClumber’s heavy body. The Clumber spaniel is also very playful and will keep you busy outdoors, especially when playing fetch.
They are very trainable and friendly to anyone who can dedicate their time to whatever they need. This dog can live well in apartments and loves kids.
An important thing to note is that the Clumber sheds a lot of hair and will require regular brushing and warm baths to minimize losing fur.
Cocker Spaniel
At just 16 inches tall, the cocker spaniel is known as a sporting dog. They have a thick whitish coat but also comes in black, golden, and liver colors.
They are a breed that has, over the recent years, changed roles from being a hunter to companions.
A cocker spaniel can reach up to 30 pounds. This breed of dog has long ears that look gorgeous. However, modern cocker spaniels are, in fact, susceptible to ear infections and hence require dedicated medical attention at times in their life.
Their training also needs to be considered due to their delicate nature. Cocker spaniels are, however, good learner who is very trainable.
Collie
The collie is an intelligent Scottish dog known for its agility and love for physical exercise. They do play well with children at home. The collie has a wedge-shaped head and comes in two varieties of coats. Collies either come in a rough coat or a smooth coat variant.
The coat color for both varieties comes in white, tricolor, and blue. This breed can weigh as much as 75 pounds. Their body stands at heights of about 26 inches.
Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is a fantastic dog you may not know but would love. Their origin is Madagascar. Their name is derived from the seaport of Tulear, Madagascar. They are also known as the royal dog of Madagascar.
The Coton de Tulear is characterized by a cotton-like coat that keeps them warm. If you need an intelligent and loyal companion, then the Coton de Tulear should be on your list.
They are dogs whose dark vibrant eyes are beautifully surrounded by adorable white coats. This dog gives you the kind of peacefulness and tenderness that you may be looking for.
When it comes to playing time, this dog doesn’t hesitate to lead you outdoors for vigorous activities. The Coton de Tulear has a long body compared to the measure of its height.
This dog weighs 15 pounds and can stand up to 11 inches.
Croatian Sheepdog
This sheepdog is known to originate from Croatia. The Croatian Sheepdog is a herding dog and has lots of admirable characteristics.
Croatian sheepdogs are very loyal, alert, and intelligent. Regarding guarding, this dog is not the kind that fails. The Croatian sheepdog is easy to keep and maintain.
Grooming is also easy as only occasional brushing would be needed.
This sheepdog knows its role well and will obey its owner. They are obedient to their owners but may sometimes disobey strangers.
The muscular body and the energy it has favor it for nothing else but sporting activities.
They can accompany you outdoors during athletic, swimming, or even gym sessions. Just make sure you feed him or her well before exercising.
Croatian sheepdogs can weigh 45 pounds and usually stand up to 21 inches.
Curly Coated Retriever
The curly-coated retriever is a proud but intelligent dog with unmatched confidence. They are usually classified as sporting dogs and have all the characteristics you may need from dogs.
The curly-coated retriever is great at sports, rescue missions, drug detection, and hunting.
When this dog accompanies you in your daily activities, a great sense of affection is unleashed as it will follow you wherever you go.
Their great attributes are non-ending since the dense curled coat, usually black or reddish-brown, is easy to groom. These retrievers can stand at 27 inches and weigh up to 100 pounds.
Czechoslovakian Vlcak
The Czechoslovakian Vlcak is also an awesome dog. This alert and decisive dog is devoted to whatever it is doing.
In the early days, the authorities used this dog in border patrols. When on duty, their sense of smell and sight are incomparable.
Czechoslovakian Vlcaks can see anything that moves within quite a long distance. It is an alert dog that you can count on. This is one reason they have been used previously in rescue missions, tracking, and sports.
They are an energetic breed and love their owners a lot.
Their hairy coats look similar to wolves, making them excellent guard dogs from afar. However, their short triangular ears are sloped back, and their thick hair makes them more dog-like close-up.
These independent dogs can weigh 57 pounds and grow up to 26 inches in height.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Bryan Harding is a member of the American Society of Mammalogists and a member of the American Birding Association. Bryan is especially fond of mammals and has studied and worked with them around the world. Bryan serves as owner, writer, and publisher of North American Nature.