The Alaskan Malamute has been a loyal companion to humans for a long time now since it walked with them across the Bering Strait into present-day Alaska. This breed is smart, athletic, and eager to please their human family. Malamutes are also quite social and will howl to express themselves.

Image: Till Daling

Outdoor lovers would enjoy the company of a mountain cur. Originally a working dog for early U.S. settlers, this breed was so valuable to the pioneers that they were often carried by pack animals during travel. These days, Mountain Curs love walking through the prairies and mountains on their paws.

Image: Josh Bean

Known for their acute sense of smell, black and tan coonhounds are hunting dogs that were originally trained to chase their prey and point out its hiding place. These Coonhounds have floppy ears and soft eyes that make them beautiful pets for everyone.

Image: Wren Meinberg

Known as the "American Gentlemen", Boston Terriers are small dogs that don’t need a lot of space to be happy. Their short noses make breathing difficult and it is not uncommon to see these pups snoring on the couch after playtime.

Boston Terriers make excellent house pets and are great companions for any family.

Image: Oskar Kadaksoo

If you haven’t heard of the Boykin Spaniel this might be because this breed is rarely found outside of the American Southeast. The Boykin Spaniel was developed entirely in the 1900s and their history can be traced back to a single stray dog found in South Carolina.

Image: Nick Russill

This unique breed dates back to the Louisiana Territory's beginnings and it was originally called the "Catahoula Leopard Cur". The name officially changed when he became the State Dog of Louisiana in 1979. Catahoulas have visually striking merle coats.

Image: Jorge Alcala

The second coonhound on this list, the Bluetick Coonhound is also known for his acute smelling sense that made it a perfect hunting dog. Bluetick Coonhounds can follow a trail even if the scent is several days old and can point to their prey’s hideout. This breed has been declared the State Dog of Tennnessee.

Image: Arya Dubey

Retrievers are a very popular breed of dog all over the world and the only American exponent is the Chesapeake Bay retriever. This dog is extremely apt for fetching waterfowl from cold, Northeastern waters.

Even people who are not interested in hunting will find this dog to be an excellent companion. The breed needs to be kept busy, as it has a lot of energy.

Image: Dana Ward

While the name may hint otherwise, the Australian Shepherd is not really Australian. These pups are the most popular American dog breed and have been present since the days of the Wild West.

Australian Shepherds are a great match for active families who love to spend time outdoors and do physical activity often.

Image: Amber Mayo

A breed believed to have been Native American companion dogs, Carolina dogs were found running free in the 1970s. These pups have even been called the "American dingo" and are quite shy around people.

Image: Berkay Gumustekin