The 7 Official AKC Dog Breed Groups
The official decider of dog breeds in the U.S., the American Kennel Club, recognizes seven official groups of dog breeds. These groups categorize breeds of dogs based on similar characteristics, which might help dog lovers decide which dogs from which groups will be the best fit.
Swipe through to learn about the seven official dog breed groups.
Sporting
Members of the sporting group are athletic dogs that were bred to help hunters in activities like retrieving prey. That includes golden retrievers, labs, spaniels and setters are in the sporting group.
Terrier
Dogs in the terrier group were bred to hunt and kill vermin, such as rats and mice and to guard their homes. They’re typically fairly high-energy pooches. There are about 30 terrier breeds and while they vary, they’re all generally intelligent and loyal.
Herding
Herding hounds were bred to control livestock, like sheep and cattle. Examples include the border collie and Australian shepherd. These friendly dogs are extremely intelligent and make wonderful companions, though they are known to nip at the heels of children in an attempt to herd them.
Toy
Breeds in the toy group pack a lot of personality into their tiny bodies. Affectionate and sociable, they’re the perfect lap dog for petting and snuggling. Some are high energy, while others are more calm. Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers and pugs are among the breeds in the toy group.
Working
Think Doberman, Rottweiler, and St. Bernard, and you’ll know what breeds in this category have in common. They’re muscular, powerful, watchful and alert. These dogs were bred to help humans by pulling sleds or guarding property. Today, many are police and rescue dogs.
Hound
This group is a bit of a mishmash, but most of the members were bred to be used for hunting. In this group, you’ll find beagles, basset hounds, Borzoi and Afghan hounds. Some hound dogs have an incredible sense of smell while others have great stamina.
Non-sporting
Speaking of mishmash, non-sporting is the category where the AKC puts all the breeds that don’t fit into the other six categories. Bulldogs, Dalmatians, and Lhasa Apsos are among the breeds in this group.
