American Kennel Club Dog Breed Categories And Groupings

The first step in choosing a dog breed is knowing the available breeds outs there. While pure-bred dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) may not be the best choice for everyone, gaining knowledge about dog breeds and categories can also help you choose the right mix of breeds from a pet store or shelter.

The AKC lists seven different groups in which dog breeds are categorized in; this list includes a miscellaneous class for unrecognized breeds. While most groups contain a great variety of dog breeds, there are some notable similarities in temperament and background within each group. To see a complete list of the AKC recognized breeds, their classifications, and pictures, go to www.akc.org.

The seven groups recognized by the AKC are Sporting, Herding, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, and Non-Sporting. The dogs are classified based on the characteristics common among the breeds when the group was first developed.

All dogs are different, as are all dog breeds; however, some generalizations can be made based on a breed’s grouping.

Sporting Group

The Sporting group consists mostly of retrievers, spaniels, and pointers. These dogs are active and need a lot of space and exercise. Some people refer to these dogs as “water dogs” because of their swimming and retrieving capabilities, and their consistent appearance on ESPN diving into creeks to recover decoys.

Herding Group

The newest group to be recognized by the AKC is the Herding group, whose members used to be classified as Sporting dogs. This group includes breeds like the Collie and Sheepdog that are specifically bred to usher groups of animals in a certain direction.

Hound Group

The Hound group boasts a large variety of breeds that tend to be very useful hunters and trackers. Beagles, one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, belong to the Hound group.

Working Group

The large and domineering Saint Bernard and Newfoundland are just two of the many breed varieties belonging to the Working Group. Most dogs in this group are heavy, strong, and intelligent; however, because of their size and temperament, these breeds need a lot of careful training, space, and attention.

Terrier and Toy Groups

While the two groups seems to share a lot of characteristics, they are actually quite different: the Terrier group being more aggressive and antagonistic towards other animals and even people, and the Toy group being much more affectionate and playful.

Non-Sporting Group

The last group containing AKC-recognized breeds is the Non-sporting group, the most diverse of the seven groups, including mostly medium-sized dogs. These dogs are usually stout and strong but vary greatly in temperament depending on the breed.

While a well-bred dog will exhibit certain common tendencies among his breed or group, it is also imperative to train any dog in order to ensure that both you and he are comfortable with the relationship.