Animals in Europe

Affenpinscher

First bred in 17th century Germany!

Airedale Terrier

Very intelligent, independent and strong-minded!

Akbash

Often used as a guard dog!

Alpine Dachsbracke

Good companion and hard-working breed!

Alpine Goat

Alpine goats are the most common type of goat used for milk, cheese, and other dairy products

American Cockroach

Despite its name, actually originated from Africa and the Middle East

American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo has splendid all white fur and an upturned tail

American Robin

The color “Robin egg blue” is named after the hue of their eggs.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Guards it's master's flocks!

Angora Goat

Each adult Angora goat produces about 12 inches of mohair annually while kids have about 8 inches.

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

Appenzeller Dog

Herding dog by nature!

Arctic Fox

Extremely thick winter fur!

Armyworm

They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food

Aurochs

Extinct ancestor of all domesticated cattle!

Avocet

Has a curved, upturned beak!

Badger

Can reach speeds of 30 km/h!

Balkan Lynx

The Balkan lynx communicates mostly with its ears

Barbet

This dog has the nickname ‘Mud dog’ because it likes to play in muddy, swamp-like areas.

Barn Owl

Found everywhere around the world!

Barn Swallow

Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.

Basset Fauve de Bretagne

A friendly and intelligent hunting dog that loves nothing more than to spend time with its owner.

Basset Hound

Forget the training when not rewarded!

Bat

Detects prey using echolocation!

Bavarian Mountain Hound

Calm, quiet and poised!

Beagle

Have become popular family pets!

Bear

There are 8 different species!

Bearded Collie

Weekly brushing is mandatory!

Beauceron

The Beauceron is named after the place of its origin (Beauce) in France

Beaver

Builds a dam from sticks and leaves!

Bedlington Terrier

Highly active and intelligent dogs!

Beetle

There are more than 350,000 different species

Belgian Shepherd

The sheepdog is also known as the Groenendael. All four Belgian varieties have nicknames for Belgian villages.

Belgian Tervuren

The first breed to win an AKC Herding Championship.

Bergamasco

Bergamascos are excellent problem solvers; they were bred to be independent as they work alongside their nomadic shepherd owners.

Berger Picard

Berger means shepherd in French

Bernese Mountain Dog

Very loyal, faithful and affectionate!

Bichon Frise

Gentle mannered, playful and affectionate!

Bird

Not all birds are able to fly!

Black Widow Spider

They typically prey on insects!

Bloodhound

Affectionate, gentle and even-tempered!

Blue Picardy Spaniel

The Blue Picardy is also known as the Epagneul Bleu de Picardie in French

Bolognese Dog

From the northern Italian city of Bologna!

Border Collie

Highly intelligent and alert breed!

Border Terrier

Small, rough-coated breed of terrier!

Bouvier Des Flandres

The name Bouvier des Flandres means cowherd of Flanders in French

Boxer Dog

Bright, energetic and playful!

British Timber

Brittany

The breed was formerly known as the Brittany spaniel

Brown Bear

A dominant predator in it's environment!

Brussels Griffon

The Brussels Griffon prefers to live with another dog so they have a companion to play with.

Bull Terrier

Needs to be kept active!

Bulldog

Friendly, loving and docile!

Bullmastiff

Courageous, loyal and calm!

Bumblebee

The most common species of bee!

Butterfly

There are thought to be up 20,000 species!

Cairn Terrier

Intelligent, lively and strong!

Camel Cricket

The camel crickets that are found in the USA are light brown in color. They also have dark streaks all over their body.

Cane Corso

Cane Corsos nearly became extinct in the mid 1900’s, but the breed was revived by a group of Italians. Even so, they still didn’t become known in many other parts of the world until after 1988.

Caribou

Males and females grow antlers

Carpenter Ant

Carpenter ants can lift up to seven times their own weight with their teeth!

Cashmere Goat

Cashmere goat are named after Kashmir regions of India and Pakistan

Cat

First domesticated by the Ancient Egyptians!

Catalan Sheepdog

This breed is called the Gos d’Atura Catala in native Catalan and Pastor Catalan in Spanish, both of which roughly translate to mean Catalan Sheepdog

Caterpillar

The larvae of a moth or butterfly!

Catfish

There are nearly 3,000 different species!

Cava Tzu

Females are more territorial than males, but you can train this behavior out of them.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Highly playful and affectionate!

Centipede

There are about 3,000 documented species!

Cesky Fousek

An affectionate hunting dog!

Cesky Terrier

This breed is also known as the Bohemian Terrier (Bohemia was an historical Medieval kingdom and a region of the modern Czech Republic)

Chamois

Natively found in the European mountains!

Chartreux

Chicken

First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!

Cicada

Cicadas have one of the longest insect lifespans

Clumber Spaniel

Has a thick, soft coat!

Cockalier

The Cockalier has very strong hunting ancestry.

Cockroach

Dated to be around 300 million years old!

Collie

Gentle and devoted!

Common Buzzard

The most common raptor in the UK!

Common Frog

Found throughout the European continent!

Common House Spider

House spiders have the ability to eat most insects in a home.

Common Loon

Also known as the Great Northern Diver

Common Raven

A group of ravens is called an unkindness or a conspiracy.

Common Toad

Most active in wet weather!

Cow

There are nearly 1.5 million worldwide!

Crab

There are 93 different crab groups

Crab Spider

Crab Spiders can mimic ants or bird droppings

Crane

Many are critically endangered species!

Curly Coated Retriever

A lively and fun-loving breed!

Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

This breed is also known as the Czechoslovakian Vlcak (the name for the German Shepherd).

Dachshund

Fun and playful breed of small dog!

Dalmatian

Have an energetic and playful nature!

Dapple Dachshund

A Dapple Dachshund’s dappling pattern may be just one spot, or it may be numerous spots and splashes on their coat.

Deer

There are around 40 different species!

Desert Locust

Solitary locusts are grey while gregarious locusts are yellow with stripes.

Deutsche Bracke

Has long drop ears and a long narrow tail!

Devon Rex

Doberman Pinscher

A gentle, loyal and loving breed!

Dog

First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Dogue De Bordeaux

Extremely loyal and devoted to it's master!

Donkey

First domesticated 5,000 years ago!

Dorgi

The Dorgi is one of the more popular mixed breed dogs.

Dormouse

Found in Europe, Africa and Asia!

Dragonfly

It's larvae are carnivorous!

Drever

Uncommon outside of Europe!

Duck

Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!

Dung Beetle

The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight

Dunker

A friendly and relaxed dog!

Eagle

Has exceptional eyesight!

Earthworm

They are hermaphrodites, which means they have male and female organs

Earwig

There are nearly 2,000 different species!

Edible Frog

Are known to guard the muddy banks!

Eel

Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!

English Cocker Spaniel

Intelligent yet stubborn by nature!

English Cream Golden Retriever

Although their coats can get incredibly light in color, golden retrievers never have purely white coats.

English Foxhound

English Foxhounds were bred to work and live in a pack. Because of this, this breed is happiest when they are around other dogs.

English Pointer

English Setter

English Setters were first bred between 400 and 500 years ago.

English Springer Spaniel

Friendly and eager to please!

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Native to parts of the Swiss Alps!

Epagneul Pont Audemer

Hard-working, gentle and affectionate!

Ermine

A very bold and ferocious predator!

Estrela Mountain Dog

Very protective and stubborn!

Falcon

The fastest creatures on the planet!

Fallow deer

The fallow deer has more variation in its coat colors than most other deer.

False Widow Spider

False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders

Ferret

Ferrets can be trained to do tricks like dogs!

Fiddler Crab

The fiddler crab gets its name from the motion the males make with their over-sized claw during the mating ritual.

Field Spaniel

A sociable and adaptable breed!

Finnish Spitz

Likes to bark a lot!

Fire-Bellied Toad

Found across mainland Europe and Asia!

Fire salamander

Its name comes from the fact that people once believed it was born in fire

Flamingo

Sleeps on just one leg!

Flat-Coated Retriever

A game retrieving gun-dog!

Fly

There are more than 240,000 different species!

Flying Squirrel

Can glide up to 90 meters!

Fox

There are 12 different species in the world!

Fox Terrier

First bred in the mid-19th century!

French Bulldog

French bulldogs are known to be very sensitive, harboring emotions that they love to express

Frog

There are around 7,000 different species!

Genet

The Genet has retractable claws like a cat

German Pinscher

Highly intelligent and fast learners!

German Shepherd Guide

Highly active and fearless dogs!

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointers are used by the Air Force, TSA, and other organizations to sniff out explosives.

German Spitz

There are five different sub-breeds of the German Spitz.

Giant Schnauzer

Large, powerful and dominant!

Glass Lizard

Can grow up to 4ft long!

Glen Of Imaal Terrier

This dog is also named the Wicklow Terrier after the county of its origin.

Glow Worm

Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!

Goat

Most closely related to the Sheep!

Golden Oriole

Migrates between Europe and Asia!

Golden Retriever

Trusting, kind and gentle!

Goose

There are 29 different species!

Gordon Setter

It's the largest and heaviest breed of setter.

Grasshopper

There are 11,000 known species!

Great Dane

Large and imposing in appearance!

Great Pyrenees

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Protective and gentle by nature!

Greyhound

Extremely fast and athletic!

Groenendael

Although developed as a herding dog, the breed makes an excellent guard and working dog and is used by police forces and the military.

Grouse

Feathered legs and toes!

Hamster

Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!

Hare

Can reach speeds of over 40 mph!

Harrier

Cheerful, tolerant and sweet-tempered!

Hedgehog

Thought to be one of the oldest mammals on Earth!

Heron

Inhabits wetlands around the world!

Highland Cattle

Natively found in the Scottish Highlands!

Honey Bee

There are only 8 recognized species!

Hooded Seal

Hooded seal pups are called bluebacks because the color of the fur on their back is blue-gray. This pretty color made people want to make fur coats out of them and made them a target for hunters.

Hoopoe

Stunning bird with a stinky way to deter predators!

Horse

Has evolved over 50 million years!

Horsefly

Horseflies have been seen performing Immelmann turns, much like fighter jets.

Human

Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!

Huntsman Spider

Some huntsman spiders have an interesting way of moving around. Some cartwheel while others do handsprings or backflips.

Hyena

There are four different species!

Ibex

Can jump over 6 feet straight up from a standstill

Ibizan Hound

Intelligent, active and engaging by nature!

Icelandic Sheepdog

The Icelandic Sheepdog is the only dog breed entirely native to Iceland.

Insects

There are an estimated 30 million species!

Irish Setter

Can live for up to 16 years!

Irish Terrier

An average 300 Irish Terrier puppies are born each year in the United States.

Irish Water Spaniel

The only known canine with a purple hue.

Irish WolfHound

Sweet-tempered, patient and thoughtful!

Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound is a miniature dog with a big motor and personality!

Jack Russell

Intelligent, athletic and fearless!

Jackal

Can maintain speeds of 16 km/h!

Jackdaw

The jackdaw tends to mate for life with a single partner

Japanese Beetle

Can clear an entire fruit tree in 15 minutes in a swarm

Kangal

Can run up to 35 miles per hour (56km).

Keeshond

Friendly, alert dogs that are loyal to their owners

Kerry Blue Terrier

They are born black, and turn gray-blue as they age.

Kingfisher

Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!

Kooikerhondje

If Kooikerhondjes look familiar, it’s because old Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Jan Steen liked to paint them.

Kuvasz

Ownership of this dog was once restricted to the Hungarian nobility

Labmaraner

Loves to participate in activities.

Labrador Retriever

Well-balanced, friendly and versatile!

Ladybug

There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Lakeland Terrier

These dogs were once used by farmers to keep foxes away from herds of sheep.

Lancashire Heeler

The name “heeler” comes from the fact that it nips at the heels of cattle to herd them.

Lapponian Herder

This breed is also known as the Lapp Reindeer Dog and the Lapsk Vallhund.

Lemming

Does not hibernate during the bitter Arctic winter!

Leonberger

This dog has been used for pulling carts full of goods.

Lizard

There are around 5,000 different species!

Loach

Have sharp spines below their eyes

Locust

Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.

Long-Eared Owl

Ear tufts make it look bigger!

Long-Haired Rottweiler

Rottweilers have a tendency to snore.

Lowchen

This breed is also known as the "Little Lion Dog" for their bravery and manes.

Lynx

Live in dens in rocks and under ledges!

Magpie

They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!

Mallard

With an appropriate tail wind, the mallard can travel hundreds of miles a day

Maltese

Originally bred in Europe!

Manchester Terrier

Fences are no match for Manchester terriers. They’re great escape artists!

Marmot

A marmot spends 80% of its life below ground

Marsh Frog

Has bright green skin!

Mastiff

Courageous, calm and affectionate!

Mayfly

There are 2,500 known species worldwide!

Mealybug

They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.

Millipede

Some species have a poisonous bite!

Miniature Bull Terrier

This dog has a very happy-go-lucky temperament.

Miniature Pinscher

Stable rodents were kept in check by using it as a barnyard ratter.

Mink

The mink can swim up to 100 feet underwater.

Mole

Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!

Mole Cricket

Adult Mole crickets may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and are active most of the year.

Monarch Butterfly

During migration, Monarch Butterflies may travel 250 or more miles each day.

Mongrel

Has characteristics of two or more breeds!

Moorhen

Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!

Moose

Renews it's enormous antlers every year!

Moth

There are 250,000 different species!

Mouse

Found on every continent on Earth!

Mudi

Mudi dogs have a reputation for being able to control a herd of 500 sheep.

Mule

The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!

Muntjac

The muntjac is the smallest type of deer in the world

Muskox

Muskox have several physical characteristics that allow them to survive in the Arctic climate.

Muskrat

The muskrat can stay underwater up to 17 minutes at a time

Neanderthal

Roamed Asia and Europe for around 100,000 years!

Neapolitan Mastiff

Fearless and extremely protective of it's home!

Newt

Able to regrow lost or damaged limbs!

Nightingale

Named more than 1,000 years ago!

No See Ums

There are more than 5,000 species.

Norfolk Terrier

Fearless but not aggressive!

Northern Inuit Dog

Norwegian Buhund

The Norwegian Buhund once worked on Norse homesteads

Norwegian Elkhound

This breed traveled with the Vikings!

Norwegian Forest

Has a long, thick double coat of fur!

Norwegian Lundehund

This breed is also called the Norsk Lundehund and the Norwegian Puffin Dog

Old English Sheepdog

Intelligent, sociable and playful!

Olm

Inhabits dark underwater caves

Orb Weaver

Females are about four times the size of males

Oscar Fish

The Oscar fish has teeth in its throat!

Otter

There are 13 different species worldwide

Otterhound

Otterhounds have webbed feet making them great swimmers!

Papillon

Originally called the Toy Spaniel, the Papillon is one of the oldest breeds in the toy group. They can be found in artwork dating back to the 16th century.

Parakeet

Monk parakeets are the only parakeets that actually build nests. They’re also the only parakeets to nest in great colonies.

Parson Russell Terrier

The root stock of the breed was a dog named Trump

Patterdale Terrier

A Patterdale Terrier’s small body structure allows it to squeeze into fox burrows.

Peacock Butterfly

The eyespots on this butterfly’s wings deter predators from attacking.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a favorite breed of Queen Elizabeth II

Peregrine Falcon

Fastest animal on Earth

Perro De Presa Canario

The breed has feet like a cat, with rounded toes that are not too close together. His unique feet give him a distinctive, long, elastic stride.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

A small dog with a big, lively personality.

Pheasant

Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!

Pig

Thought to have been domesticated in 9,000 BC!

Pigeon

They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.

Pika

Found in mountainous regions and rocky areas

Pike Fish

Apex freshwater predators with fearsome teeth!

Pine Marten

A pine marten can jump from tree to tree similar to a squirrel.

Pocket Beagle

Queen Elizabeth I of England once owned several Pocket Beagles

Pocket Pitbull

The smaller size of the Pocket Pitbull made it better suited for fleeing game as compared to larger Foxhounds.

Pointer

An independent, loyal and high energy breed!

Polar Bear

Could be extinct within the next 30 years!

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Despite having shaggy hair that covers its eyes, this dog is known for its watchful gaze when guarding a herd.

Pond Skater

There are 500 different species!

Poodle

Intelligent, alert and active!

Pool Frog

The rarest amphibian in the UK!

Porcupine

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Porpoise

Surprisingly, not a dolphin!

Pudelpointer

Like their poodle parent, Pudelpointers love to swim in pools!

Puffin

Can remain in the water for up to 2 minutes!

Pugapoo

The pugapoo is the fusion of a pug and a poodle.

Pumi

Pumik developed their loud bark to communicate with shepherds at long distances.

Purple Emperor Butterfly

Inhabits deciduous forests!

Puss Moth

Caterpillars squirt formic acid!

Quail

Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!

Rabbit

There are more than 50 different species!

Raccoon

Known to wash their food before eating it!

Raccoon Dog

The only hibernating canine!

Rat

Omnivores that eat anything!

Red Fox

The red fox actually has many different variations of fur, including silver and brown.

Redback Spider

The redback spiders found in New Caledonia differ from other populations in that they don’t practice sexual cannibalism and don’t bite people as much.

Reindeer

Also known as the Caribou

River Turtle

Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!

Robin

There are more than 45 species in Australia alone!

Rodents

The capybara, the world’s largest rodent, likes to be in and around bodies of water. Because of this, the Catholic Church in South America decided that it was a fish, and people were allowed to eat it during Lent and First Fridays.

Roe Deer

The roe is one of the most popular game animals in Europe

Rottweiler

Strong, loyal and self-assured!

Russell Terrier

The Russell Terrier was bred to be a good fox hunter with a keen sense of smell

Saanen Goat

The saanen goat is the most popular milk breed.

Saarloos Wolfdog

Sable Black German Shepherd

According to the American Kennel Club, the German Shepherd is the second most popular breed in the United States

Saint Bernard

Gentle, loyal and friendly!

Salamander

There are more than 700 different species!

Saluki

The Saluki is one of the fastest dog breeds in the world.

Sand Lizard

Males turn green in spring!

Schipperke

Schipperkes were used to hunt and kill rodents on Belgian ships.

Scorpion

There are around 2,000 known species!

Scottish Terrier

This breed is nicknamed the “Diehard” because of its iron will and steely determination.

Sea Eagle

The sea eagle tends to mate for life with a single partner

Seahorse

Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!

Sealyham Terrier

Very endangered breed that is scion of several breeds that include one that is already extinct

Sheep

Around 35 million in the English countryside!

Shrimp

There are 2,000 different species worldwide!

Skink Lizard

Some skinks lay eggs in some habitats while giving birth to skinklets in other habitats.

Skye Terrier

Skye terriers are the oldest terrier breed, dating back at least 400 years.

Slow Worm

Found widely throughout British gardens!

Slug

They glide around on one foot, which is aided by the slime they produce

Smooth Fox Terrier

These dogs are known for their fast digging abilities.

Snail

There are nearly 1,000 different species!

Snake

There are around 3,000 known species worldwide

Snowy Owl

One of the largest owl species in the world!

Spadefoot Toad

They spend most of their time underground!

Spanish Goat

They have long, horizontal ears.

Spanish Mastiff

Diego Velázquez’s famous 17th century painting of the Infanta and her dwarves includes a portrait of a Spanish Mastiff.

Sparrow

There are 140 different species!

Spider Wasp

They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.

Spinone Italiano

They're one of the oldest hunting breeds on Earth.

Squirrel

Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!

Stabyhoun

It is a versatile, all-around working breed and pet.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Known for their loyalty to their family!

Stag Beetle

The stag beetle consumes rotting and decaying wood when it is in the larva stage.

Standard Schnauzer

This dog’s facial hair makes it look like it has a beard.

Stick Insect

There are more than 3,000 different species!

Stoat

Average adults weigh about 200 grams!

Striped Hyena

The striped hyenas usually mark their territories with the help of the scent gland secretions from their anal pouch.

Swan

Populations have been affected by pollution!

Swedish Vallhund

Syrian Hamster

Can get used to and respond to human voice

Tamaskan

Tawny Owl

The most widespread owl in Europe!

Teddy Bear Hamster

The oldest recorded teddy bear hamster was six and a half.

Termite

Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!

Terrier

Terriers were once the greatest dogs in the world.

Thrush

The American robin is called the robin because its red breast reminded European settlers of the robin back in the old country.

Tiger Beetle

The adult tiger beetle is one of the fastest land insects in the world

Tiger Moth

The bright colors of this moth are a signal to predators that it has a terrible taste.

Tortoise

Can live until they are more than 150 years old!

Toy Poodle

The word poodle is derived from German, and it means to splash or puddle.

Transylvanian Hound

The Transylvanian Hound is also known as the Erdelyi Kopo in Hungarian

Tree Frog

Found in warmer jungles and forests!

Turkish Angora

A breed that originated in central Turkey!

Turtles

Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.

Utonagan

Vizsla

Vizsla means searcher or tracker in Hungarian

Volpino Italiano

Almost went extinct before American Eskimo Dog breeders showed interest.

Vulture

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Wasp

There are around 75,000 recognised species!

Water Buffalo

Has been domesticated for thousands of years!

Water Vole

The largest Vole species in the UK!

Weasel

The smallest carnivorous mammal in the world!

Weimaraner

The Weimaraner is nicknamed the gray ghost.

Welsh Corgi

There are two distinct breeds!

Welsh Terrier

The Welsh Terrier has the strength and tenacity to take on foxes and badgers.

West Highland Terrier

Most commonly white in colour!

Wheaten Terrier

Originally bred as a farm dog, the Wheaten Terrier can be very protective of its domain.

Whippet

Quiet, gentle and restful dogs!

White Butterfly

This butterfly determines the smell and taste of a flower with its feet.

White-Tailed Eagle

It is one of the biggest birds of prey.

Wild Boar

Males have a top tusk to sharpen the bottom one!

Willow Warbler

This bird molts twice a year.

Wire Fox Terrier

The Wire Fox Terrier was bred from the now extinct Rough Coated Black and Tan Terrier to hunt down foxes.

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

A Wirehaired Pointing Griffon’s coat makes it look like it has a mustache and beard!

Wolf

Thought to date back more than 300,000 years!

Wolf Spider

Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.

Wolverine

Releases a strong smelling musk in defence!

Woodlouse

This animal can roll up into a ball

Woodlouse Spider

Unlike most spiders, woodlouse spiders don’t build a web.

Woodpecker

There are 200 different species!

Yorkshire Terrier

Highly energetic and eager for adventure!

Zebra Mussels

A female zebra mussel can deposit 30,000 to 1,000,000 eggs each year!