List of Pets That Start With A: Dogs, Cats, Birds and More

The most popular pets that start with A are the Australian Shepherd, the Akita and the Alaskan Malamute among dogs, the Abyssinian and American Shorthair among cats, the African grey and Amazon parrots, the Abyssinian guinea pig, the axolotl and the angelfish. They could hardly be more different to live with. An Australian Terrier tops out at 15 to 20 pounds and suits a first-time owner; an Anatolian Shepherd Dog can weigh 150 pounds and was bred to guard livestock on its own.

This list covers more than 50 pets and pet breeds beginning with A, grouped by type: dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians, aquarium animals, and farm animals. For each one you get size, care level and the kind of owner it suits, with lifespan from veterinary sources where they publish it. Breed sizes come from the American Kennel Club, cat descriptions from the Cat Fanciers’ Association, and bird lifespans from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The care levels are our own assessment of daily time, grooming, space and experience needed.

Pets That Start With A Compared: Size, Care Level and Best Fit

Twenty of the most searched A pets side by side. “Low” care means daily feeding, cleaning and affection with little grooming or special equipment; “High” means hours of exercise, heavy grooming, specialist housing or an experienced handler.

Dog Breeds That Start With A

The AKC’s breed weight chart lists 22 breeds that start with A, from the 7-pound Affenpinscher to the Anatolian Shepherd Dog. Weights below are the AKC ranges, which are the same for males and females except where noted. Size class and care level are our reading of each breed’s weight, exercise needs and coat.

The A Dog Breeds Most People Ask About

• Australian Shepherd: Despite the name, the breed was developed on ranches in the western United States. It is clever and tireless, and a bored Aussie will invent its own jobs, which is why it suits families who hike, run or train for agility.
• Akita: A powerful Japanese breed, loyal to its family and reserved with strangers. Many Akitas do not get along with other dogs of the same sex, so it is best as the only dog in an experienced home.
• Alaskan Malamute: Built to haul freight sleds, so it is strong, sheds heavily and struggles in hot climates. It needs real daily exercise and a secure fence.
• Airedale Terrier: The largest of the terriers, often called the King of Terriers. Playful and stubborn in equal measure, it needs regular coat stripping or clipping.
• Australian Cattle Dog: Also called the Blue or Red Heeler. It was bred to nip at the heels of cattle and may try the same with running children unless trained.
• American Staffordshire Terrier: Affectionate with people and eager to please. Some landlords and insurers restrict the breed, so check your lease and policy before bringing one home.
• Afghan Hound: A dignified sighthound whose long, silky coat takes serious upkeep. Owners who don’t brush at home often rely on a groomer; that demand is one reason a mobile dog grooming business can work.
• Australian Terrier: One of the smallest working terriers, sturdy and confident. A good pick if you want a real dog in a small package without the fragility of a toy breed.

Planning trips with a larger breed? Our list of dog friendly hotels in national parks covers pet fees and the size limits some lodges set.

Cat Breeds That Start With A

The Cat Fanciers’ Association’s breed guide lists five breeds beginning with A. The personality descriptions in quotes come from the CFA; the grooming and best-fit notes are ours.

• Abyssinian: Comes in ruddy, red, blue and fawn ticked coats and wants to be part of everything you do. Not ideal if the house is empty all day.
• American Bobtail: A naturally occurring bobtailed cat, medium to large in build. Longhaired cats need a weekly brush.
• American Curl: The ears curl back away from the face. Handle them gently, since the curl comes from the ear cartilage.
• American Shorthair: A stocky, low-fuss working breed and the easiest A cat for a first-time owner.
• American Wirehair: Its coat is crimped and springy. Over-brushing can damage it, so groom lightly.

Pet Birds That Start With A

Parrots are where lifespan matters most, because the bird may outlive its owner. Sizes and lifespans below are from the Merck Veterinary Manual’s table of popular pet birds.

• African grey parrot: VCA Animal Hospitals calls it one of the best talkers among pet parrots. There are two species, the larger Congo and the smaller, darker Timneh. Greys bond strongly, sometimes with one person, and boredom can lead to feather picking and screaming. VCA recommends a checkup with an avian vet every six months.
• Amazon parrot: Merck describes Amazons as strong talkers and singers that are loud, can be moody, and often bond closely with one person.
• Alexandrine parakeet: A big, long-tailed relative of the ring-necked parakeet. Merck notes that many Psittacula parakeets are quiet talkers but can let out piercing screams.
• American Singer canary: A song canary breed. Merck says male canaries sing and are territorial, so they are housed alone or as mated pairs.

Backyard Chickens That Start With A

• Araucana: Lays blue eggs; many birds are rumpless with tufts of feathers near the ears.
• Ameraucana: An American breed that also lays blue eggs, with a beard and muffs.
• Australorp: An Australian breed known for heavy laying and a calm, friendly temperament, which makes it a common first chicken.
• Ancona: An Italian breed with mottled black-and-white feathers; active and flighty rather than cuddly.

Small Mammals and Pocket Pets That Start With A

• Abyssinian guinea pig: Its coat grows in swirls called rosettes. Like all guinea pigs it cannot make its own vitamin C, so PetMD says supplementation is essential. Care level moderate; good for families with children old enough to handle gently.
• American guinea pig: The short, smooth-coated type and the easiest to groom. PetMD notes that coat type affects lifespan, with long-haired guinea pigs averaging about four years and hairless ones seven to eight.
• Angora rabbits: The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes four: English, French, Giant and Satin Angora. Their wool needs grooming several times a week, and a rabbit that swallows too much fur during grooming can develop gut problems. Care level high.
• American Fuzzy Lop: A small lop-eared rabbit with a woolly coat. Cute and compact, but the coat still needs regular brushing.
• American Chinchilla rabbit: A large, calm heritage breed with a gray coat that resembles a chinchilla’s fur.
• African pygmy hedgehog: Nocturnal, solitary and insect-eating, it needs a warm room and a wheel for nightly running. Hedgehogs are illegal to keep in some places, including California and Hawaii.

Reptiles and Amphibians That Start With A

• Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum): A Mexican salamander that keeps its feathery external gills and stays aquatic for life. It needs cool, clean, filtered water and is better watched than handled. Wild axolotls are critically endangered, and keeping one is illegal in California.
• African fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus): A calm, nocturnal West African gecko that stores fat in its tail. One of the easiest reptiles for a first-time keeper.
• Anole (Anolis carolinensis): The green anole is native to the southeastern US and can shift from green to brown. It is small and cheap to buy but needs a planted, humid tank with UVB lighting.
• Ackie monitor (Varanus acanthurus): An Australian spiny-tailed monitor that is active by day, digs constantly and needs a very hot basking spot and deep substrate. Rewarding, but for experienced keepers.
• African sideneck turtle: An aquatic turtle that folds its neck sideways under its shell rather than pulling it straight in. Needs a large tank with strong filtration.
• Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae): One of the largest and most intelligent pet lizards. Escaped tegus have become invasive in Florida, which now restricts them.
• African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis): A fully aquatic frog with no tongue that pushes food into its mouth with its hands. Hardy, but escapees can harm local wildlife, so check local rules.

Aquarium Fish and Invertebrates That Start With A

• Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare): A tall-finned South American cichlid that needs a tall tank. Adults will eat small tankmates such as neon tetras.
• African cichlids: Colorful fish from Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika that need hard, alkaline water. Many are territorial, so they do best in species-specific tanks.
• Apistogramma: South American dwarf cichlids for planted tanks with soft, acidic water.
• Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata): A hard-working algae eater, named after aquascaper Takashi Amano.
• Assassin snail (Clea helena): Eats pest snails, which makes it a useful addition to a planted tank.
• Archerfish: Shoots water at insects above the surface. Adults need brackish water and a large tank.
• Arowana: A huge, jumping predator suited only to very large aquariums. The Asian arowana is listed on CITES Appendix I, so trade is tightly controlled.
• Ants: An ant farm or formicarium is a low-cost, low-mess pet for children and curious adults.

Horses and Farm Animals That Start With A

• Alpaca: A herd animal that should never be kept alone; plan on at least two. Raised for fiber and as gentle, if aloof, companions.
• Angora goat: Produces mohair. Angora wool, confusingly, comes from Angora rabbits.
• Arabian horse: One of the oldest horse breeds, with a dished face and high tail carriage. Known for endurance.
• Appaloosa: An American breed known for its spotted coat and long association with the Nez Perce people.
• American Quarter Horse: Named for its speed over a quarter mile; calm and versatile, it is a common first horse.
• American Paint Horse: A stock horse with Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred bloodlines and a bold patterned coat.

Which A Pet Fits Your Home

No dog or cat is truly allergen-free. If allergies are a concern, spend time with the breed before committing.

A Pets Beginners Should Think Twice About

• African grey and Amazon parrots: Merck’s 30 to 50 and 40 to 50 year averages mean planning for who takes the bird after you.
• Akita and Anatolian Shepherd Dog: Large, protective and independent. Both need early socialization and an owner who has handled big dogs before.
• Argentine tegu and Ackie monitor: Big enclosures, high heat and live or varied diets. Costs climb fast.
• Arowana: Outgrows almost every home aquarium.
• Angora rabbit: Adorable until you face daily wool care.

Animal lovers working through the alphabet can continue with our list of animals that start with B. And if the new arrival still needs a name, our guide to boys names starting with A keeps the alliteration going. More guides like this sit in our Lifestyle section.

Axolotls for Kids and A Breeds of Dogs and Cats

What Is the Best Pet That Starts With A for a First-Time Owner?

The American Shorthair cat is the easiest all-round pick: the CFA describes it as even tempered and quiet, and it needs little grooming. Among dogs, the Australian Terrier is small and sturdy; among reptiles, the African fat-tailed gecko is calm and simple to house.

What Dog Breeds Start With A?

The AKC chart lists 22, including the Affenpinscher, Afghan Hound, Airedale Terrier, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, American Eskimo Dog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Australian Terrier and Azawakh. The full table with AKC weights is above.

What Cat Breeds Start With A?

CFA lists the Abyssinian, American Bobtail, American Curl, American Shorthair and American Wirehair.

Is an Axolotl a Good Pet for Kids?

It can be a good family pet to watch, but not to hold. Axolotls need cool, filtered water and should be handled as little as possible, so an adult has to own the tank maintenance. Check local law first, since they are banned in California.

How Long Do African Grey Parrots Live?

The Merck Veterinary Manual gives an average of 30 to 50 years for pet African greys, longer than most dogs and cats by decades.

AKC Weight Chart, CFA Profiles and Merck’s Pet Bird Data

• American Kennel Club: Breed Weight Chart
• Cat Fanciers’ Association: Breed Characteristics and Personalities
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Popular Pet Birds
• VCA Animal Hospitals: African Grey Parrots, General Information
• PetMD: How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live?