From small dogs such as the Pomeranian and Parson Terrier to large breeds such as the Pyrenean Mastiff, there are plenty of dogs to choose from that begin with P.
The dogs listed below are breeds that the American Kennel Club has recognized.
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Papillon
The Papillon is also known as the continental toy spaniel. The name Papillon is derived from French, meaning butterfly. The dog grows hair around its ears, making it look like a butterfly.
Their eyes are perfectly round and appear to be dark from a distance. The eyes are fixed on a rounded head, complemented by a short muzzle.
The coat of the Papillon can be described as a long single coat. The coat, however, preserves a lot of warmth for the Papillon.
Grooming is a must for this dog to keep his or her coat in good condition.
The Papillon is an independent dog who is generally happy and adventurous. They can weigh up to 10 pounds, standing at 11 inches.
Parson Russell Terrier
The Parson Russell terrier is a dog with an enduring personality. They are also known as the Jack Russell Terrier, named after the Reverend John “Jack” Russell.
They are a very independent breed. Denying them may result in a temporary breakup of the relationship between you and them. Convince them what to do, and they will be happy to help without hesitation. The Parson Russell Terrier is a loyal dog, but its mood dictates how they act.
The dog’s eyes are almond-shaped and seem to capture everything going on. They have a curious look, especially when they glance at you.
The Parson Russell terrier has button-like ears on the sides of their heads. The Parson Russell terrier weighs up to 17 pounds when fully grown with a height of up to 14 inches.
Pekingese
The Pekingese is a Chinese breed with incomparable self-esteem. This breed has a noble look due to its coat, which is full of long hair. The long hairs appear all over the body, except around the black nose and dark-brown round eyes.
Everywhere else is immersed in the long coat with long flowing hair. Grooming is a must for her to keep neat.
The Pekingese is quick to annoy and need to be handled with care. This dog is a breed that likes its own space and will also give you your own. They can weigh 14 pounds with a height of 9 inches.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh corgi is a dwarf dog classified as a herding dog. They are short dogs with heights up to 12 inches. For their size, they have a main body. The Corgi is a unique dog in its look.
Finding them walking through tall grass might be difficult, but they will never stray far.
They have a fox-looking heads with medium-sized ears on the side of the head. This dog originates from the United Kingdom and is a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II.
Other names used for this dog include PWC, Pem, and the Corgi. Although short, the Pembroke Welsh corgi weighs 30 pounds.
Perro de Presa Canario
If you want a calm but confident dog, then the Perro de Presa Canario may be the one you want. The Perro de Presa Canario is a large dog with a beautiful profile.
Its reputation starts with the deep, loud bark that this dog is known for. This breed knows its mind and will make its own decisions.
This breed makes a good guard dog, barking at or chasing away intruders. However, they are a dog that is quick to establish warm relationship with strangers whom the owners acknowledge as being friends.
The Perro de Presa Canario can weigh up to 110 pounds, 26 inches.
Peruvian Inca Orchid
The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a breed that usually comes in three different sizes. These are small, medium-sized, and large. The mostly hairless coat comes in many colors.
Grooming is also advised to keep the Peruvian Inca Orchid relaxed, neat, and happy.
These dogs are muscular, agile, and intelligent. Its intelligence plays a significant part in the tricks it or it deploys on its owners, especially when having fun and playing games outdoors.
The large-sized Peruvian Inca Orchid can weigh up to 55 pounds and reach a height of 26 inches.
Their weight can be as little as 18 pounds for the small-sized variety, with a height of up to 16 inches.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a French breed. This dog is classified as a hound dog. The coat is very distinct on the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen.
This dog usually has a rough coat covering the entire body, which is used as insulation. They are short dogs that are supported by sturdy legs.
Training this breed is sometimes challenging, as they can be very stubborn. They are usually independent and strong-minded in their decisions.
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen would not be the dog you would force to do things they don’t want to do. However, when this dog is happy, they show extra love, affection, and obedience to their owners.
They are a social breed and prefer company. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen can weigh 40 pounds and is known to stand 15 inches tall.
Pharaoh Hound
The pharaoh hound is a dog that is an exquisite breed. Their body is usually very muscular and agile for hunting activities. They initially originated from Egypt and shared a rich history with the Egyptians.
An important note is that it is easy for this dog to catch a cold due to its origin. They should not be let out without a warm coat during cold winters.
This dog has ears that showcase its state of alertness. When erect, these ears can pick up even the slightest sounds that you may not be able to hear.
The Pharaoh hound’s bark resembles a heavy one that can scare anything near it. This is also an intelligent breed and is easy to train. They can weigh 55 pounds and stands at 25 inches.
Plott
The Plott is a social dog when around its owner or other dogs. They are very calm, obedient dogs, which could be the perfect breed for you.
Regarding feeding, this dog does not let opportunities go to waste. This dog is also a lover of exercise, and they need plenty of it. You need to set aside time every day for outdoor activities with them.
This dog can weigh as much as 75 pounds and stands tall at 27 inches.
Pointer
The Pointer has the perfect body for running. They are a dog that is always alert, smart, and ready to take on any task.
The Pointer has its earliest origin in Germany but has more recently been associated with the United States. Their body is agile for motion while on the move.
They have a short, smooth coat, shiny from a distance but oily to the touch. Their bodies are finished with a rod-shaped tails. The dog stands at heights up to 25 inches. The Pointer weighs up to 60 pounds.
Pointers make excellent family companions but do need plenty of exercises. They are best suited for open fields with plenty of freedom to run about.
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a well-rounded herding dog from Poland, known worldwide. This dog is sometimes referred to as PON. They are also known by the initials “PON,” derived from the words “Polski Owczarek Nizinny.”
This breed is confident, with a shaggy-looking double coat. The shagginess is a result of the rough overcoat that covers them.
The dog is active and is a lover of exercise. A thing to note about these dogs is that they love their food.
Their coat is dense and soft when touched. The skin will usually come in brown, black, white, or grey.
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog weighs about 50 pounds and can reach heights of up to 20 inches.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is among the smallest of the Spitz. This dog weighs 7 pounds and can stand at about 12 inches.
Although short of stature, they have a lot to offer. This dog has exceptionally high intelligence. This proves that the dog’s size does not always equate with the size of the brain.
This dog is usually very concerned about those it loves. Regarding socializing, this dog is a master, getting along with most dogs, cats, and people.
Travelers are lucky to have the Pomeranian Dog as their pet and can carry them wherever they go due to their small size. Thanks to the dog’s playful nature, they can keep themselves active, even alone.
The Pomeranian is a dog that is not scared to bark. Pomeranians can bark continuously and incredibly when annoyed.
Poodle
The poodle is also referred to as the pudelhund or caniche. They are a dog with German roots. This breed is covered in lots of feathering around its body, tail, and head.
The poodle is among the most intelligent breeds on this list. Any other dog usually unmatches their intelligence. This dog will thus learn quickly during training sessions.
For best results, always teach your poodle to listen and obey your commands from an early age. She might not be ready to learn these commands later in life.
The poodle needs regular grooming to keep its coat neat, attractive, and clean.
The poodle was originally bred as a water retriever. They are, therefore, excellent swimmers. The poodle will weigh as much as 70 pounds and have a height of 22 inches.
Porcelaine
The Porcelaine dog is a French breed. The name is derived from its white body, which looks like a porcelain figurine. This easily trained dog is very energetic and full of mischief.
They need to be kept busy and do not like being idle. The Porcelaine dog is also mindful of children at home and will establish a warm relationship with family and friends.
Many people like the Porcelaine as they only bark in situations when it is needed.
Grooming is required for the Porcelaine. Trimming the nails, brushing the teeth, and regular baths keep this dog in shape. The Porcelaine dog can weigh up to 62 pounds and stand up to 23 inches in height.
Portuguese Podengo
The Portuguese Podengo is a hound dog breed whose origin is Portugal.
This breed has three different sizes. These can be categorized as Pequeno (smallest), Médio (medium), and Grande (largest).
The Portuguese Podengo has a coat that comes in two varieties. These are a smooth short coat and a wiry, long coat.
The long-haired variety of the Portuguese Podengo is a product of crossbreeding with various breeds over the years. The Podengo can be, at times, protective and can make a good guard dog.
The Portuguese Podengo is also a very agile and intelligent dog. A small fence around your yard will not be able to contain them.
Their body is very muscular, with wedge-shaped head. They have alert and erect ears visible from a distance and will pick up sounds from long distances.
This dog weighs 13 pounds and can stand up to 12 inches tall.
Portuguese Pointer
The Portuguese Pointer is a splendid gun and sporting dog from Portugal. This affectionate dog is also known as the Perdigueiro Português.
They are defined by a calm and gentle look that greets those interacting with them. They have a long slender tail that is used to achieve stability while running.
The Portuguese Pointer lacks an undercoat, but its short coat assumes light reddish and yellowish colors. This dog will always try to explore new environments, an attribute driven by their curiosity.
Grooming should be easy due to the short coat. Check the teeth, nails, and ears during grooming sessions. The Portuguese Pointer can weigh up to 60 pounds and measure 22 inches tall.
Portuguese Sheepdog
The Portuguese Sheepdog is a medium-sized herding dog. The appearance borrows some monkey attributes and is commonly referred to as the “monkey dog.”
This dog’s coat comes in many colors: yellowish-red, chestnut, grayish, fawn, wolf-like, and blackish.
A special note about the Portuguese Sheepdog is that their coat has extremely long hair. This makes them look slightly shaggy but very soft to the touch.
When on duty, this dog is a master of stubborn livestock, and predators and strangers are kept away if they try to approach the herd.
The Portuguese Sheepdog is a good protector but is also interchangeable. They can make an affectionate friend at the house.
The Portuguese Sheepdog has weights of up to 60 pounds and stands up to 22 inches tall.
Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese water dog is a working dog with a rich history to explore. This dog was, in early times, used by fishermen to help them.
This dog would help draw nets, retrieve lost nets, and sometimes be used to carry the equipment. Due to the dog’s excellent relationship with water, it has webbed feet, helping it swim quickly and easily.
Its coat is seen in black, white, brown, or a combination of white. An advantage of the Portuguese water dog is that its skin is hypoallergenic and does not shed.
The Portuguese water dog can weigh 50 pounds and stands tall at 22 inches.
Pudelpointer
The Pudelpointer is an accurate representation of an enduring gun dog. This dog has been given various endurance exams and passed them all with flying colors.
The Pudelpointer is an excellent runner, its legs running as fast as possible to ensure they catch what they are chasing.
Plenty of exercises are essential for a happy Pudelpointer; swimming and hiking are not out of the question.
When domesticated, the Pudelpointer displays good conduct and affection without hesitation. They have a dense rough coat that is partnered with a thick undercoat. The Pudelpointer does need regular grooming for the best results.
Pudelpointers weigh up to 70 pounds and can stand up to 26 inches in height.
Pug
The pug is one of a few breeds that has a wrinkled face and body. Their coat is short, fine, and smooth to the touch.
When it comes to grooming, this is a necessity for the pug. Due to the wrinkled, infections can overgrow, so regular care must be taken with them to look for any signs.
If proper care is not taken, this dog’s wrinkles can hold microorganisms that can be deadly. A clean pug is generally a healthy pug. The pug is a great dog, fantastic around family and children.
The pug is simple to please and eager to please you. The pug can weigh 18 pounds and stands tall at 13 inches.
Puli
This breed originated from Hungary and is sometimes referred to as the Hungarian Puli. They are a dog that is classified in the herding group of dogs.
The coat usually comes in black, but some white, cream, or gray varieties may also be identified. No dog has dreadlocks better than the Puli. Pulis is a breed with a unique coat with rope-like dreadlocks that grow out.
The Puli is a dog full of energy and has excellent agility. Pulis has lots of endurance and love to run. The Puli can weigh 35 pounds and stands up to 17 inches.
Pumi
If you love dogs with curly coats, then one of the best choices would be the Pumi. Their skin has a shaggy elegance.
The Pumi is a relatively small dog that always seems to be relaxed. Other names, such as the Hungarian Pumi and herding terrier, also know them.
This dog is known as a hallmark of boldness and agility. They have dark, medium-sized eyes that are a big part of the breed’s charm. Pumis are known to be protective of their own families and friends.
They can weigh up to 29 pounds and may stand up to 19 inches in height.
Pyrenean Mastiff
The Pyrenean Mastiff, a Spanish dog, is a courageous, intelligent dog with great affection for the outdoors.
They are great protectors and will protect anything under their care, including children, other pets, and their human families. This dog is, however, known to be docile, calm, and quiet.
The Pyrenean Mastiff has a gorgeous-looking coat. The double coat will require regular brushing and occasional baths.
Due to their working nature, the Pyrenean Mastiff but be appropriately exercised. When bored, Pyrenean Mastiff can become very unhappy. Taking this dog for walks and keeping them around with you would be the best idea to keep them happy.
Pyrenean Mastiffs are large dogs with weights of up to 240 pounds and a height of up to 31 inches tall.
Pyrenean Shepherd
The Pyrenean Shepherd is a medium-sized herding dog with an origin traceable back to France and Spain on the borders of the Pyrenees Mountains.
They are also known as “Berger des Pyrénées” in French and “Pastor de Los Pirineos” in Spanish.
This dog comes in two varieties; smooth-faced and rough-faced. A notable difference between the two is that the rough-faced variety has longer hairs around the muzzle than the smooth-faced type.
This dog is full of energy and needs a lot of exercises. The best way to ensure this energy is used is by taking them outdoors, as this is their natural habitat.
The Pyrenean Shepherd weighs 30 pounds and measures up to 21 inches.
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