From popular breeds like the loyal Labrador Retriever to the energetic Border Collie, each dog breed has its own distinct personality, physical traits, and exercise needs. The world of dog breeds is one of wide variety. Dog breeds originate from different parts of the world and have served various purposes throughout history. Understanding the characteristics and needs of different breeds can help you make informed decisions when it comes to selecting a dog that best suits your lifestyle and preferences.

A kennel club is an organization that promotes the welfare and breeding of dogs. There are over 350 recognized dog breeds worldwide. Not every kennel club recognises every breed though. And not every kennel club uses the same group names to categorize dogs. Understanding these groups help potential pet owners understand their furry friend’s lineage, from providing companionship to guarding, herding or hunting.

Classifying dog breeds into groups is not just a way to tidy up a list, it is a practical approach to understanding our canine companions’ diverse roles and characteristics. The American Kennel Club, the UK Kennel Club, and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) are the biggest and most influential Kennel Clubs. Each have developed their own groupings based on a combination of factors including historical purpose, physical characteristics, and behavior traits.

The American Kennel Club Groups

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognises just over two hundred dog breeds. Pet owners can find out more about their pooch’s personality traits and the breed standard by visiting the site.
If you really want to get into the nitty-gritty details of a particular breed or group, check out our guides. Pet parents can familiarize themselves with their chosen breed’s basics. Whether it’s the beautiful coat of the Charles Spaniel, the bouncy zeal of a Herding breed, or the rugged charm of the Staffordshire Terrier, each breed standard dictates their care, grooming, and exercise needs.

AKC Breed Groups

The American Kennel Club (AKC) organizes dogs into seven principal breed groups. Each group reflects the roles for which these breeds were originally developed. The groups are:

1. Sporting: These dogs are high-energy and enthusiastic, especially in hunting and outdoor activities.
2. Hound: This group boasts a strong instinct and unmatched tracking abilities, with a specialized focus on scent or sight.
3. Working: Working dogs are intelligent and have excellent capabilities in jobs like guarding, rescuing, and pulling.
4. Terrier: Terriers are spirited hunters of vermin and small game.
5. Toy: The Toy group is a collection of diminutive breeds that excel in providing affectionate companionship.
6. Non-Sporting: A diverse array of breeds that do not fit neatly into the other groups, with wide-ranging personalities and appearances.
7. Herding: These are the stalwart gatherers and guardians of livestock, showcasing intense intelligence and trainability.

UK Kennel Club Groups

The UK Kennel Club recognises 222 pedigree dog breeds. It also has a breed classification system for dogs, but it has some differences compared to the AKC. It identifies seven groups, defined as follows:

1. Gundog: Similar to the Sporting group of AKC, these dog breeds are skilled hunters and retrievers.
2. Hound: As with the AKC, these dogs are adept at hunting primarily through scent and sight.
3. Working: Valued for their roles as guard dogs, police dogs, and service animals, among various duties.
4. Terrier: This group are spirited and fearless dogs. They were historically bred to hunt underground.
5. Toy: Small in size but big in personality. These dogs serve as companions and are similar to the AKC’s Toy group.
6. Utility: Comparable to the Non-Sporting group of the AKC. This is a catch-all category for breeds that don’t fit into other groups.
7. Pastoral: Aligning closely with the Herding group of the AKC, the Pastoral breeds are associated with herding and guarding livestock.

Each group embodies distinct characteristics and historical backgrounds that define how these dogs interact with humans and the roles they can serve.

Fédération Cynologique Internationale Groups

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), recognises 356 dog breeds. The FCI classifies dog breeds into ten unique and diverse groups.

1. Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs): Includes breeds that are used for herding and often possess strong working instincts and intelligence.
2. Pinscher and Schnauzer – Molossoid Breeds – Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs and Other Breeds: A mix of guardian breeds, sturdy working dogs, and Swiss cattle dogs.
3. Terriers: Similar to the AKC and UK Kennel Club, featuring energetic breeds that are often skilled in vermin control.
4. Dachshunds: The FCI has a group dedicated to the various types of Dachshunds due to their distinctive characteristics.
5. Spitz and Primitive Types: Breeds with historical roots in ancient or ‘primitive’ dog types.
6. Scenthounds and Related Breeds: These are specialized hounds that hunt primarily with their sense of smell.
7. Pointing Dogs: Bird hunting dogs are trained to point out game locations.
8. Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs: These dogs are skilled in finding and retrieving game, both on land and in water.
9. Companion and Toy Dogs: Encompassing small breeds adept at providing companionship.
10. Sighthounds: Elegant and fast, these hounds are adept at hunting by sight and chasing down prey.

The FCI’s grouping provides a more detailed categorization. It offers a deeper understanding of each breed’s roles, traits, and capabilities within the international canine community.