16 Dog coloring pages (free printable PDF)

Dog breeds in our collection

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever was developed in the Scottish Highlands in the 1860s by Lord Tweedmouth, who crossed a Yellow Retriever with the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel. He wanted a dog that could retrieve shot waterfowl in the rough terrain and rainy climate of Scotland. Goldens have a water-repellent double coat and a "soft mouth" — they can retrieve game without damaging it. They rank third in popularity among all breeds in the United States and are widely used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs. An adult Golden weighs 25-34 kg and lives 10-12 years.

German Shepherd

Captain Max von Stephanitz created the German Shepherd breed in 1899 from German herding dogs, aiming for the ideal working dog. The breed became famous during World War I when German Shepherds served as messenger dogs, guard dogs, and Red Cross rescue dogs in the trenches. After the war, returning soldiers brought them home and the breed exploded in popularity. German Shepherds are widely used in police and military work around the world thanks to their intelligence, trainability, strength, and loyal temperament. They weigh 23-41 kg with a distinctive sloping back and large upright ears.

Siberian Husky

The Chukchi people of northeastern Siberia bred Huskies over 3,000 years ago as endurance sled dogs. Huskies are built for endurance, pulling loaded sleds across frozen terrain for long distances. Their thick double coat insulates so well that they can sleep outdoors in Arctic blizzards by curling their tail over their nose. Huskies became famous in 1925 during the Nome serum run, when sled dog teams relayed diphtheria antitoxin 1,085 km across Alaska in five and a half days to save the town of Nome. Balto, the lead dog of the final leg, became a national hero. Huskies have striking blue or multicolored eyes and weigh 16-27 kg.

Labrador Retriever

Despite the name, the Labrador Retriever originated in Newfoundland, Canada — not Labrador. Fishermen in the 1700s used them to haul nets, fetch ropes, and retrieve escaped fish from the icy North Atlantic. English nobles visiting Newfoundland brought the dogs to Britain in the early 1800s and refined the breed for game retrieval. The Labrador has been the most popular dog breed in the United States for 31 consecutive years (1991-2021) before the French Bulldog took the top spot. Labs come in three colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. They weigh 25-36 kg and are known for their gentle temperament, which makes them the most common breed for guide dogs and assistance dogs worldwide.

Poodle

The Poodle originated in Germany as a water retrieval dog — the name comes from the German word "Pudeln," meaning to splash. The elaborate show clips that look purely decorative actually started as practical working cuts: fur was left thick around the chest to protect vital organs in cold water, and pom-poms on the joints kept those areas warm. Poodles are often ranked among the most trainable dog breeds. They come in three sizes — Standard (over 38 cm), Miniature (25-38 cm), and Toy (under 25 cm) — but all are the same breed. Their curly coat sheds very little compared to most breeds, which is why Poodles are crossed with many other breeds to create low-shedding mixes.

Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has herded cattle in Wales for over 1,000 years. Standing just 25-30 cm at the shoulder, their short legs are not a disadvantage — Corgis nip at cattle heels to move them, and their low profile lets them dodge kicks that would hit a taller dog. The royal family got their first Corgi, Dookie, in 1933 — and Queen Elizabeth II carried on the tradition, owning more than 30 Corgis over her lifetime, all descended from Susan, a Corgi she received in 1944. The word "Corgi" may come from the Welsh "cor gi," meaning dwarf dog. Despite their small size, Corgis weigh 10-14 kg — they are surprisingly heavy because of their dense bones and muscular build. Their big upright ears and fox-like face make them one of the most recognizable small breeds.

Dalmatian

Dalmatians are born completely white. Their spots start appearing at about two weeks old, and new spots can keep developing until they are around 18 months old. Each Dalmatian has a unique spot pattern — no two dogs are alike. The breed has an unusual historical bond with horses: Dalmatians were used as "coach dogs" in the 1700s, running alongside horse-drawn carriages to guard them from bandits and calm the horses. This transferred naturally to fire stations in the 1800s, where Dalmatians ran ahead of horse-drawn fire engines to clear the road and guard the equipment. They weigh 20-32 kg and are one of the few breeds with spots as a defining feature rather than a variation.

Pug

The Pug is one of the oldest dog breeds, bred in China over 2,000 years ago as a companion for emperors. Their wrinkled face and curled tail are unmistakable, and the breed motto is often given as "multum in parvo" — a lot of dog in a small space. Pugs weigh 6-8 kg. Their flat faces mean they can overheat easily and snore loudly.

French Bulldog

The French Bulldog became the most popular dog breed in the United States in 2022, ending the Labrador's long reign. Despite the name, the breed was developed by English lace workers who brought small bulldogs to France in the 1800s. Frenchies have signature "bat ears" and a compact, muscular body. They cannot swim well because of their dense build, and most are born by cesarean section.

Dachshund

The Dachshund was bred in Germany to hunt badgers underground — its name means "badger dog." Its long body and short legs let it follow prey into burrows. The breed comes in smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired coats, and in standard and miniature sizes. Nicknamed the "wiener dog" or "sausage dog," the Dachshund weighs 7-15 kg.