Dog names beginning with ‘M’ are more common than some letters, but not the most popular. Breeds beginning with B, C and S are more common with breed standard organizations. There may be some M dog breeds which are mixes or emerging breeds, but the International Canine Federation (FCI) only officially recognizes 10 in English. Other breed standard organizations may recognize more or less, depending on their individual criteria.
At AnimalWised, we share the dog breeds beginning with M. We help you to understand their characteristics and provide photos so you can see what they look like.
1. Manchester Terrier
The first of the dog breeds that start with M is the Manchester Terrier. As its name suggests, this breed originated in the northern English city of Manchester during in the 19th century. It is one of the most popular dog breeds beginning with M due to its small size, but it also stands out for being intelligent, playful and, like all dogs, loyal to their owners.
Originally, Manchester Terriers were used to hunt rats and rabbits, which is why they became one of the most common dog breeds in homes. They kept these pests at bay. They are more common as companion animals. You may not be able to tell from the photo, but they are relatively small dogs. Their black and tan coat is a result of crossings from the now extinct breed known as the Black and Tan Terrier.
Discover another popular black and tan dog with our article on the different types of Dachshund breeds.
2. Alaskan Malamute
Probably one of the most elegant M dog breeds in existence. Although technically they begin with an A, they are often referred to simply as Malamutes. Some confuse them with the Siberian Husky, but they are not the same breed. The Alaskan Malamute originated among the Mahlemut Inuit tribe in northeast Alaska, where it pulled sleds and helped humans survive. It also hunted seals.
As with most dog breeds, males are larger and heavier than females. This breed of dog with an M also stands out for being very friendly, social and intelligent, as well as energetic. This means they are only suitable for guardians which can meet their needs in terms of mental and cognitive stimulation. They need to be taken out for regular walks and can be part of a large family, even with other pets when well socialized.
3. Maltese
The Maltese dog is one of the smallest dog breeds beginning with M. This toy dog breed is named after the island country of Malta, but it may actually be a breed which originates in Italy. Debate over their origins lies in the fact they are a very ancient dog breed, so documentation is difficult to source. They were even mentioned in one of Aesop's Fables.
Although many dogs are originally bred for working purposes, it appears the Maltese was always a companion animal. They are considered one of the supreme lap dogs, but this does not mean they do not need plenty of exercise and training. In addition to cognitive care, their coat needs a lot of attention. It can be cut short as seen in the photo below, but many allow this small white dog to grow their hair out to be long and silky.
4. Mudi
During the 19th century, Hungarian Shepherd Dogs and German Shepherds were crossed in Hungary. This is how the next breed of dog which begins with an M originated. The Mudi is hybrid breed, being also closely associated with the Pumi and Pudi breeds which are also from Hungary. They stand out for their versatility and good working ability, as they were originally used to guard livestock and herd animals.
This is a medium-sized dog, with a range of coat colors and patterns. The photo shows a black coat with their characteristic curls on the body, but not on the face. Its temperament is particularly versatile, as it can control livestock, but also assist in search and rescue operations in the event of an emergency.
5. Malinois
Rather than an individual dog breed starting with M, the Malinois is a breed variation of the Belgian Shepherd. Some kennel clubs only consider them to be a variation of the Belgian Shepherd breed, but the American Kennel Club (AKC) and others recognize them as their own separate breed. They originated in the Mechelen area of Belgium around the 19th century. Although it's now a domestic animal, it was once tasked with guarding sheep and cattle.
These dogs beginning with the letter M are very intelligent and easy to train. It is very important to keep in mind that they have a lot of energy and we will have to know how to stimulate them correctly so that they remain balanced. For the Malinois, training is an essential element of their care.
Other dog breeds with M
Now that you know the characteristics of the main dog breeds with the letter M, here are some other breeds that start with M that you may or may not be familiar with:
- Magyar Agár
- Majorca Shepherd Dog
- Maremma and Abruzzese Sheepdog
- Miniature Pinscher
- Miniature Poodle
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Large Münsterländer
- Small Münsterländer
- Morkie (Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier cross)
We can also include the dog breeds known as Mastiffs in our list of dog breeds beginning with M. The different types of Mastiff dog breeds include the Bull Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff and Spanish Mastiff, among others.
If you want to read similar articles to Dog Breeds Beginning With M, we recommend you visit our Comparisons category.