Dog breeds and breed groups explained
Kennel clubs sort dog breeds into groups based on the work they were originally bred to do. The American Kennel Club uses seven groups (Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding) and The Royal Kennel Club in the UK also uses seven (Gundog, Hound, Pastoral, Terrier, Toy, Utility and Working). A breed's original job is one of the best clues to how much exercise, training and company it will need.
The seven AKC breed groups
The American Kennel Club (AKC) shows its recognized breeds in seven groups, and each group is organized by the original work its breeds were developed to do. The best dog in each group goes on to compete for Best in Show.
| AKC group | Original purpose | Examples the AKC gives |
|---|---|---|
| Sporting | Helping hunters find and retrieve feathered game; retrievers for waterfowl, setters, spaniels and pointers for upland birds | Labrador Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, Cocker Spaniel |
| Hound | Pursuing warm blooded quarry, either by sight and speed (sighthounds) or by scent (scenthounds) | Bloodhound, Dachshund, Greyhound |
| Working | Pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks and homes, protecting families | Boxer, Great Dane, Rottweiler |
| Terrier | Going to ground after rodents and other vermin, or digging them out | Bull Terrier, Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier |
| Toy | Companionship; small enough to sit in a lap | Chihuahua, Pug, Shih Tzu |
| Non-Sporting | A mixed group of breeds whose jobs do not fit the other six | Varied; most are kept today as companions |
| Herding | Moving livestock such as sheep, cattle and even reindeer | German Shepherd Dog |
The seven Royal Kennel Club groups (UK)
In the UK, The Royal Kennel Club places each of its 223 recognized breeds in one of seven groups. It says purebred dogs make up around 75 percent of the UK's roughly 9 million dogs.
| RKC group | What the Royal Kennel Club says it covers | Examples it names |
|---|---|---|
| Gundog | Dogs originally trained to find and/or retrieve game; split into retrievers, spaniels, hunt point retrieve breeds, and pointers and setters | (retrievers, spaniels, pointers, setters) |
| Hound | Breeds used for hunting by scent or by sight | Beagle and Bloodhound (scent); Whippet and Greyhound (sight) |
| Pastoral | Herding dogs associated with cattle, sheep, reindeer and other cloven footed animals; often a weatherproof double coat | The Collie family, Old English Sheepdog, Samoyed |
| Terrier | Dogs bred to hunt vermin; the name comes from the Latin terra, earth | (many terrier breeds) |
| Toy | Small companion or lap dogs, some placed here simply because of their size | (small companion breeds) |
| Utility | Miscellaneous breeds, mainly of non sporting origin, each bred for a specific function | Bulldog, Dalmatian, Akita, Poodle |
| Working | Breeds developed as guards and search and rescue dogs | Boxer, Great Dane, St Bernard |
AKC and Royal Kennel Club groups side by side
The two systems line up closely but use different names. Roughly: AKC Sporting is the RKC Gundog group, AKC Herding is the RKC Pastoral group, and AKC Non-Sporting is closest to the RKC Utility group. Hound, Terrier, Toy and Working exist in both. Individual breeds can sit in different groups in different countries, so check the breed on the relevant kennel club's own site.
How to choose a breed (a practical checklist)
The Royal Kennel Club's advice is to learn what job a breed was developed to do, because that explains much of its natural behavior. A breed made to work all day will usually need more to do than one bred as a lap companion. Use the group tables above as a starting point, then ask:
- What was the breed made for? Herding, retrieving, guarding, chasing by sight or following a scent all shape how a dog behaves at home and on walks.
- How much time can you give each day for exercise, training and play, every day, in all weather?
- Coat care. Some coats need regular brushing or professional grooming; ask breeders or the breed club what is involved.
- Size and space. Think about car space, stairs, lifting an older dog and the cost of food and medicine, which rise with body weight.
- Health. The Royal Kennel Club notes that many breeds have DNA tests or screening schemes. Ask to see the parents' health test results for the conditions relevant to that breed.
- Heat tolerance. The RSPCA lists flat faced (brachycephalic) breeds among the dogs most at risk of heatstroke because they cannot pant as effectively. See our hot weather advice.
Mixed breeds and rescue dogs
Breed groups describe tendencies, not guarantees: individual dogs vary, and many wonderful dogs are mixes. When you meet a rescue dog, the rescue's notes on how that particular dog behaves with people, other dogs, children and being left alone usually tell you more than a guess at its ancestry. Whatever dog you choose, early socialization and reward based training matter more than the label.
Sources
- The 7 AKC Dog Breed Groups Explained, American Kennel Club
- What is a pedigree dog?, The Royal Kennel Club
- Heatstroke in dogs, RSPCA
General education only, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, contact your vet; in an emergency, contact an emergency vet straight away.