Dog Breeds Beginning With L

The first of the dog breeds beginning with an L is the Labrador Retriever, one of the most famous dogs in the world. For many, they are the epitome of what a dog should be. In addition to being an incredible companion animal to a wide range of households, they also make incredible working dogs. They are especially common when used as assistance dogs.

Labrador Retriever origins date back to the island of Newfoundland in Canada. Their first role was to help fishermen retrieve nets and ropes from the water. They stand out for being a very playful and cheerful dog breed, something that goes hand in hand with their affectionate and sociable nature. If you're thinking about adopting a Labrador Retriever, it's one of the L-breed dogs that most enjoys the company of humans and other animals.

While they all constitute the same breed, you can discover the different types of Labrador Retriever with our related guide.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is an Italian dog breed, specifically from the Romagna region. Like the previous example of a dog breed starting with an L, it was a waterfowl retriever. This means it was used to retrieve waterfowl prey for hunters. In the quieter areas of Romagna, the Lagotto Romagnolo was also used to search for very valuable truffles.

This dog breed beginning with an L is also known for being hypoallergenic, as it contains less allergens than most other breeds. Its coat is woolly, dense and curly. If their coat has spots, they will become larger as the dog ages. If you're thinking of adopting a Lagotto Romagnolo, you should keep in mind that this type of dog is bred to work. They have a lot of energy and require a guardian who can provide sufficient physical and mental stimulation.

Like other examples of dog breed names beginning with an L, the Lakeland terrier takes its name from its place of origin, this being the Lake District in England. Because it sheds little and has less allergenic proteins in their skin, they are considered better for people with mild dog allergies.

They have a very independent character and personality, but will form a close bond with their guardian. They should have no problem relating to other members of a family with proper socialization. The Lakeland Terrier is one of the first types of terrier that existed. They have a long history of use on farms as a means of controlling vermin populations.

Also known as the Little Lion Dog, the Löwchen is a German dog breed which also begins with L. Unlike some of the other L-dog breeds on our list, the Löwchen was not originally used as a working dog. Instead, they were bred as a companion animal. This resulted in their long, flowing hair which is much better suited to a dog show than a working farm. The photo below shows a Löwchen with a puppy cut, but it is also popularly given the lion cut.

While this breed was originally very popular with the wealthy European elites of various historical regimes, its popularity decreased over the centuries. Until a breeding program saved them in the mid-20th century, it was possible this breed would become extinct. Their revived popularity can be seen in dog shows where they are often groomed to provide hair cuts similar to those popularized by Shih Tzus.

If you are thinking of adopting a Lhasa Apso, there are important aspects you will need to keep in mind about this breed of dog starting with L. The Lhasa Apso is a dog of Tibetan origin from approximately 800 BCE, where it served the function of warning of the presence of strangers with its high-pitched barking.

Although it's small in size, it's not a small dog breed and can weigh up to 20 lb (9 kg).This example of a dog breed with an L should not be confused with the Shih Tzu. In fact, the Lhasa Apso has a much longer and thicker coat. You cannot see it in the photo below, but it has two layers which provide better protection against the cold.

We continue the list of L-breed dogs with the Leonberger, another type of dog that originated in Germany. As reflected in their common name, this breed originates in the city of Leonberg. It can also be known simply as the Leo.

It's worth noting that this is a mountain dog, so it's large, heavy and muscular. Despite its strength, this breed has an elegant bearing. Its coat is long and rough on the neck and chest. The extremities are yellow, red or sand-colored, among other colors. If you're thinking about adopting a Leonberger, you should know that it's a great watchdog. If properly socialized, trained and educated, it will become a loyal and loving companion.

Of French origin, the Levesque was a breed of dog with an L. We say ‘was’ because it has unfortunately been extinct since around 1970. Its name comes from its creator, M. Lévesque. He created it by crossing an English Foxhound with a Gascon Saintongeois, giving rise to the Levesque.

Although it has become extinct, its legacy lives on in the black and white French hound breed. They share the same type of coat and their ability to chase prey at great speed and agility.

Image: For Dog Trainers

We have explained that some of the dog breeds beginning with L are officially recognized and others are not. The Landseer is sometimes considered a separate breed, but others see it as a variation of the Newfoundland dog breed. The latter is most common in North America, while it is often considered a separate breed in Europe.

They do indeed share very similar traits to the Newfoundland. They are large and can reach as much as 150 lb (38 kg). They were originally descended from dogs used by fishermen to help on their boats, resulting in a dog which was good in water. Modern Landseer dogs tend to be more associated with being companion animals.

The longdog is not an officially recognized breed. It falls in a different category were it is a term used to refer to crosses of various types of sighthound breeds. The resultant dog is referred to as a longdog or long dog. This means its size and appearance may vary, but they are all characterized by their long bodies and thin snouts.

Also known as the Norwegian Lundehund, they are similar in appearance to a wolf. You can see this represented in the photo below.

They originated in the Lofoten Islands in Norway and are known for their great ability to climb terrain. Although the history of the Lundehund is not entirely clear, it is believed to have arrived with the Vikings more than 6,000 years ago. It has a robust, compact and muscular body along with a double-layered coat for the temperatures it surrounds. An interesting fact is that its paws have six toes.

Discover other dog breeds that look like wolves in our related guide.

If you want to read similar articles to Dog Breeds Beginning With L, we recommend you visit our Comparisons category.