Pets

Your Guide Through the Seven Types of AKC Breed Dogs

The AKC Purebred Dog Registry is the most recognized registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. In 2006, there were more than 900,000 dogs registered with the AKC. To be registered as a purebred, the dog must have parents that are registered as the same breed with the American Kennel Club. They also require the litter to be registered as well.

There are more than 400 different types of dogs around the world, in fact, our canine companion has more variations than any species of mammal ever known. The breeds are divided into seven groups and each group is bred for different purposes. Each breed has its own distinct personality or temperament.

Herding group is a designation for breeds of dogs bred for herding or to serve as livestock guard dogs. This group was once classified with the Working Group until the AKC made the Herding Group its most recent designation. These dogs are super smart and have great stamina. They make excellent companions and respond favorably to a variety of training exercises from agility, flyball, search/rescue, and obedience training. Dogs that belong to the herding group include German Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, Shetland Sheepdogs, Collies, Border Collies, and Belgian Malinois.

The Working Group is a designation where dogs are bred to perform jobs such as water rescues, sled pulling, and guard duty. These dogs are very strong and large as they were bred for work. They are happiest when they are well exercised. Due to their physical characteristics, they are not always suitable for house pets, but they do make excellent companions with proper training.

Dogs in the working group include Akita, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Doberman Pinscher, Canadian Eskimo Dog, German Pinscher, Giant/Standard/Miniature Schnauzer, Great Dane, Mastiff, St. Bernard, Rottweiler, and Siberian Husky.

The Hound Group is a breed bred to help hunters. Sight hounds and bloodhounds use their senses to locate their prey. Some members of this group include the Basset Hound, Bloodhound, Greyhound, Beagle, and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

The Terrier Group is a high-energy, feisty group that includes Miniature Schnauzers, Scottish Terriers, Bull Terriers, Airedale Terriers, and American Staffordshire Terriers. These dogs are bred primarily to hunt vermin below and above ground. They can be great pets for the right owner, but beware… they are feisty and have little tolerance for other small animals, the mail carrier, and other neighborhood dogs.

A dog that possesses incredible instincts, in the water or in the woods, for example a Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Cocker Spaniel or Pointer Dog belongs to The Sporting Group. These dogs are usually calm, need frequent regular exercise, and can also help their master hunt animals and birds. There is a group called the Non-Sporting Group with a very diverse range of dogs such as a Dalmatian, a French Bulldog, a Bulldog and a Keeshond.

If you’ve ever heard the expression “lap dog,” this describes the dogs that make up the Toy Group. These small dogs are excellent companions and like to stay in their owners’ laps. Dogs such as the chihuahua, pug, yorkshire terrier and pomeranian are popular with city dwellers confined to small dwellings.

The Miscellaneous Group completes the types of dogs. Dog breeds classified in this group are still awaiting their final status of breed recognition by the AKC, however they may still compete for titles. The Redbone Coonehound, the Norwegian Buhund, and the Swedish Vallhund are dog breeds that belong to the Miscellaneous Group.

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