Yes, dogs can recognize other dogs, but whether they recognize specific breeds is less clear. Research suggests that dogs rely more on body language, scent, and behavior rather than appearance alone.
Since different breeds can look drastically different (a Great Dane vs. a Chihuahua), dogs might not recognize them purely by sight. However, they use their strong sense of smell to identify other dogs as part of their species. They also rely on social cues like tail wagging, posture, and play behavior to determine if another animal is “one of them.”
Some dogs do seem to prefer interacting with dogs that look similar to them, possibly because of familiar body language and play styles. Have you noticed your dog favoring certain breeds over others?
