The breeds
There are approximately 400 separate breeds of purebred dogs worldwide. A purebred dog is considered to be one whose genealogy is traceable for three generations within the same breed. National registries, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the United States, the Canadian Kennel Club, the Kennel Club of England, and the Australian National Kennel Council, maintain pedigrees and stud books on every dog in every breed registered in their respective countries. The Foxhound Kennel Stud Book, published in England in 1844, was one of the earliest registries. Other countries also have systems for registering purebred dogs. The AKC represents an enrollment of more than 36 million since its inception in 1884, and it registers approximately 1.25 million new dogs each year. The groups recognized by the AKC are identified below and in the Table.
| Dog breeds and their places of origin | ||
|---|---|---|
| continent | country | breed |
| North America | Canada | Labrador retriever, Eskimo dog, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, Newfoundland |
| Cuba | Havanese | |
| Mexico | Chihuahua, Mexican hairless | |
| United States | Alaskan Malamute, American foxhound, American Staffordshire terrier, American water spaniel, Australian shepherd, Boston terrier, Chesapeake Bay retriever, coonhound | |
| South America | Peru | Inca hairless dog, Peruvian Inca orchid |
| Europe | Belgium | Belgian Malinois, Belgian sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, bouvier de Flandres, Brussels griffon, schipperke |
| Croatia | Dalmatian | |
| England | Airedale terrier, beagle, Bedlington terrier, bull terrier, bulldog (English), bullmastiff, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, cocker spaniel, curly-coated retriever, English foxhound, English setter, English springer spaniel, English toy spaniel, field spaniel, flat-coated retriever, fox terrier, harrier, Jack Russell terrier, Lakeland terrier, Manchester terrier, mastiff, Norfolk terrier, Norwich terrier, Old English sheepdog, otterhound, pointer, springer spaniel, Staffordshire bull terrier, Sussex spaniel, whippet, Yorkshire terrier | |
| Great Britain | collie, bearded collie, border collie, border terrier, Dandie Dinmont terrier | |
| Finland | Finnish spitz, Karelian bear dog | |
| France | basset hound, briard, Britanny, Clumber spaniel, French bulldog, Great Pyrenees, Löwchen | |
| Germany | affenpinscher, boxer, dachshund, Doberman pinscher, German shepherd dog, German shorthaired pointer, German wirehaired pointer, Great Dane, miniature pinscher, poodle, Rottweiler, schnauzer, Weimaraner | |
| Iceland | Iceland dog | |
| Ireland | Irish setter, Irish red and white setter, Irish water spaniel, Irish wolfhound, Irish terrier, Kerry blue terrier, soft-coated wheaten terrier | |
| Italy | bloodhound, Italian greyhound, Maremma sheepdog, Neapolitan mastiff | |
| Hungary | komondor, kuvasz, puli, vizsla | |
| Malta | Maltese | |
| The Netherlands | Keeshond, wirehaired pointing griffon | |
| Norway | Norwegian elkhound, Lundehund (Norwegian puffin dog), Norwegian buhund | |
| Portugal | Portuguese water dog | |
| Russia | borzoi | |
| Scotland | cairn terrier, golden retriever, Gordon setter, Scottish deerhound, Scottish terrier, Scottish wolfhound, Shetland sheepdog, Skye terrier, West Highland white terrier | |
| Spain | bichon frise, Ibizan hound, papillon, presa Canario | |
| Switzerland | Bernese mountain dog, St. Bernard | |
| Wales | Cardigan Welsh corgi, Pembroke Welsh corgi, Sealyham terrier, Welsh springer spaniel, Welsh terrier | |
| Africa | Egypt | basenji, greyhound, pharaoh hound, saluki |
| South Africa | Rhodesian ridgeback | |
| Australia | Australian terrier, Australian cattle dog, silky terrier | |
| Asia and the Middle East | Afghanistan | Afghan hound |
| China | Chinese crested, Chinese shar-pei, chow chow, Pekingese, pug | |
| Japan | Akita, Japanese spaniel, Japanese spitz, shiba inu | |
| Siberia | Samoyed, Siberian husky | |
| Tibet | Lhasa apso, shih tzu, Tibetan terrier, Tibetan spaniel, Tibetan mastiff | |
| Turkey | Anatolian shepherd dog (Kangal dog) | |
In the 1800s those interested in the sport of dogs developed a system for classifying breeds according to their functions. The British classification, established in 1873 and revised periodically by the Kennel Club of England, set the standard that other countries have followed, with some modifications. British, Canadian, and American classifications are basically the same, although some of the terminology is different. For example, Sporting dogs in the United States are Gundogs in England. Utility dogs in England are Non-Sporting dogs in the United States and Canada. Not all countries recognize every breed.
The United States recognizes seven classifications, called groups (encompassing more than 150 breeds), whereas the English and Canadians have six groups (the American system divides the Working group into two groups: Working dogs and Herding dogs).
Sporting dogs
These are dogs that scent and either point, flush, or retrieve birds on land and in water. They are the pointers, retrievers, setters, spaniels, and others, such as the vizsla and the Weimaraner.
| name | origin | height in inches* dogs (bitches) | weight in pounds* dogs (bitches) | characteristics | comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *1 inch = 2.54 centimetres; 1 pound = 0.454 kilogram | ||||||
 |
American Cocker Spaniel | U.S. | 15 (14) | 24–29 (same) | long coat with thick feathering on legs and belly | originally used in hunting; now primarily a pet or show dog |
 |
Brittany | France | 17.5–20.5 (same) | 30–40 (same) | tailless or short tail; flat, fine coat | similar to a Setter; originally named Brittany Spaniel |
 |
Chesapeake Bay Retriever | U.S. | 23–26 (21–24) | 65–80 (55–70) | dense, coarse coat; strong, powerful body | excellent duck hunter |
 |
Clumber Spaniel | France | 19–20 (17–19) | 70–85 (55–70) | white coat; long, heavy body; massive head | popular among British royalty |
 |
English Cocker Spaniel | England | 16–17 (15–16) | 28–34 (26–32) | solid, compact body; coat is less feathered than its American counterpart | popular since the 19th century; noted for its balance |
 |
English Setter | England | 24–25 (same) | 40–70 (same) | flecked with color; long head | mellow disposition; valued as a gun dog and companion |
 |
English Springer Spaniel | England | 20 (19) | 50 (40) | medium-sized; docked tail; moderately long coat | noted for endurance and agility |
 |
German Shorthaired Pointer | Germany | 23–25 (21–23) | 55–70 (45–60) | medium-sized; deep chest; broad ears | long-lived; versatile hunter and all-purpose gun dog |
 |
Golden Retriever | Scotland | 23–24 (21.5–22.5) | 65–75 (55–65) | powerful body; water-repellent coat in various shades of gold | noted for its gentle and affectionate nature |
 |
Irish Setter | Ireland | 27 (25) | 70 (60) | elegant build; mahogany or chestnut coat with feathering on ears, legs, belly, and chest | physically most Pointer-like of the Setters |
 |
Labrador Retriever | Canada | 22.5–24.5 (21.5–23.5) | 65–80 (55–70) | medium-sized; muscular build; otterlike tail | popular in England and the U.S.; a working gun dog, often used as a guide or rescue dog |
 |
Pointer | England | 25–28 (23–26) | 55–75 (44–65) | muscular build; tapered tail; short, dense coat | hunting instinct acquired at about two months of age |
 |
Vizsla | Hungary | 22–24 (21–23) | 40–60 (same) | medium-sized; light build; short, smooth coat in various shades of golden rust | nearly extinct at end of World War I; shorthaired and wirehaired varieties |
 |
Weimaraner | Germany | 25–27 (23–25) | 70–85 (same) | gray coat; medium-sized; graceful | dates to early 19th century |
Hounds
These also are hunting dogs but much more various than the Sporting dogs. There are scent hounds and sight hounds. They are a diverse group, ranging from the low-slung dachshund to the fleet-footed greyhound. However, they all are dedicated to the tasks for which they were bred, whether coursing over rough terrain in search of gazelles, such as the Afghan hound or the Saluki, or going to ground after badgers, like the dachshund. Hounds such as beagles, basset hounds, harriers, foxhounds, and coonhounds run in packs, while others, such as Afghan hounds, borzois, pharaoh hounds, and Salukis, course alone. The Hound group also includes the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, the otterhound, the Rhodesian ridgeback, which was bred to hunt lions in Africa, and the bloodhound, best known for its remarkable ability to track. The Irish wolfhound, Scottish deerhound, basenji, whippet, and Norwegian elkhound are also in this group. In Canada, drevers belong to the Hound group as well, and in England the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is included.
| name | origin | height in inches* dogs (bitches) | weight in pounds* dogs (bitches) | characteristics | comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *1 inch = 2.54 centimetres; 1 pound = 0.454 kilogram | ||||||
 |
Afghan Hound | Afghanistan | 27 (25) | 60 (50) | regal appearance; curved tail; straight, long coat | celebrated show dog |
 |
Basenji | Central Africa | 17 (16) | 24 (22) | small-sized; wrinkled forehead; tightly curled tail | barkless; admired by Egyptian pharaohs |
 |
Basset Hound | France | 12–14 (same) | 40–60 (same) | short-legged; heavy-boned; large head; long, drooping ears | bred by monks in the Middle Ages |
 |
Beagle | England | 2 varieties, 13 and 15 (same) | 18 and 30 (same) | small-sized but solid; short coat | long-lived; excels at rabbit hunting |
 |
Black and Tan Coonhound | U.S. | 25–27 (23–25) | 60–100 (same) | medium to large in size; rangy; long ears | used primarily for tracking and treeing raccoons |
 |
Bloodhound | Belgium/France | 25–27 (23–25) | 90–110 (80–100) | large-sized; loose skin with folds around head and neck; eyes set deep in orbits | known for its tracking ability; first recorded use by organized law enforcement, England, 1805 |
 |
Borzoi | Russia | at least 28 (at least 26) | 75–105 (60–85) | large-sized; elegant appearance; long, silky coat | popular with Russian nobility; therefore, many were killed after the Russian Revolution |
 |
Dachshund (standard) | Germany | 7–10 (same) | 16–32 (same) | long-bodied with short legs; three types of coat: smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired | developed around the 1600s; also miniature variety |
 |
Greyhound | Egypt | 25–27 (same) | 65–70 (60–65) | sleek, muscled body; short, smooth coat | fastest breed of dog, reaching speeds of 45 mph |
 |
Irish Wolfhound | Ireland | minimum 32; average 32–34 (minimum 30) | minimum 120 (minimum 105) | large-sized; wiry, rough coat; graceful body | tallest breed of dog |
 |
Norwegian Elkhound | Norway | 21 (19) | 55 (48) | medium-sized; tightly curled tail; prick ears | hardy; believed to have originated in 5000 BCE |
 |
Saluki | Egypt | 23–28 (may be considerably smaller) | 45–60 (proportionately less) | graceful, slender body; long ears | “royal dog of Egypt”; one of the oldest known breeds of domesticated dogs |
 |
Whippet | England | 19–22 (18–21) | 28 (same) | medium-sized; slim but powerful body; long, arched neck | developed to chase rabbits for sport |