A Guide To Different Dog Breeds

 With hundreds of different dog breeds worldwide, there is an astounding amount of variation in size, shape, and temperament.

The American Kennel Club first divided dog breeds into various groupings in 1923 when the official rules of showing dogs in the competition were changed. There were at one point only five groups, which grew to reach seven in the following years, and it has remained at seven. The American Kennel Club recognizes 178 dog breeds and separates them into seven main groups. These groups are the Herding Group, the Hound Group, the Non-Sporting Group, the Sporting Group, the Terrier Group, the Toy Group, and the Working Group. The AKC also acknowledges a Miscellaneous Class, consisting of distinct dog breeds not yet recognized by the organization as members of any of the seven main groups. The different groups of dogs are as follows:

Different Dog Breeds

HERDING

The Herding Group was established in 1983 when it broke off from the large Working Group. Not surprisingly, dogs in the Herding Group all display herding behavior and make excellent companions and pets for anyone who has a lot of time and energy. They also assist farmers in herding and are highly intelligent. Some examples of the more popular herding dogs are the Border Collie and the German Shepherd.

HOUND

Most of the dogs in the Hound Group have been (or have ancestors who have been) used as hunting dogs and have incredible senses of smell, which is why they are often referred to as the scent hounds. They make great pets, not just for hunters but also for more normal, calm families and people. Some popular varieties of hound dogs include the Dachshund, the Greyhound, and the Whippet.

NON-SPORTING

These dogs have very little in common and make great companions for many different kinds of people. They are less historically tied to sporting activities.