American Kennel Club Groups

The American Kennel Club has an 8 Group System. This is a system shared with many other non-Fédération Cynologique Internationale Kennel Clubs , however it adds an extra group. All of these groups but one have breeds with a common original purpose in.

As of June 1, 2011, the American Kennel Club fully recognizes 173 breeds with 15 additional breeds granted partial status in the Miscellaneous class. Another 60 rare breeds can be registered in its Foundation Stock Service.

The AKC divides dog breeds into seven groups, one class, and the Foundation Stock Service, consisting of the following (as of January 2011):

Sporting Group: 28 breeds developed as bird dogs. Includes Pointers, Retrievers, Setters, and Spaniels.

Hound Group: 26 breeds developed to hunt using sight (sighthounds) or scent (scent hounds). Includes Greyhounds and Beagles.

Working Group: 28 large breeds developed for a variety of jobs, including guarding property, guarding livestock, or pulling carts. Includes Siberian Huskies and Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Terrier Group: 28 feisty breeds some of which were developed to hunt vermin and to dig them from their burrows or lairs. Size ranges from the tiny Cairn Terrier to the large Airedale Terrier

Toy Group: 21 small companion breeds Includes Toy Poodles and Pekineses.

Non-Sporting Group: 19 breeds that do not fit into any of the preceding categories, usually larger than Toy dogs. Includes Bichon Frises and Miniature Poodles.

Herding Group: 25 breeds developed to herd livestock. Includes Rough Collies and Belgian Shepherds.

Miscellaneous Class: 15 breeds that have advanced from FSS but that are not yet fully recognized. After a period of time that ensures that good breeding practices are in effect and that the gene pool for the breed is ample, the breed is moved to one of the seven preceding groups.

Foundation Stock Service (FSS) Program: 60 breeds. This is a breed registry in which breeders of rare breeds can record the birth and parentage of a breed that they are trying to establish in the United States; these dogs provide the foundation stock from which eventually a fully recognized breed might result. These breeds cannot participate in AKC events until at least 150 individual dogs are registered; thereafter, competition in various events is then provisional.

AKC BREEDS BY GROUP – SPORTING

http://www.akc.org/breeds/sporting_group.cfm

Naturally active and alert, Sporting dogs make likable, well-rounded companions. Members of the Group include pointers, retrievers, setters and spaniels. Remarkable for their instincts in water and woods, many of these breeds actively continue to participate in hunting and other field activities. Potential owners of Sporting dogs need to realize that most require regular, invigorating exercise. (Size of dogs not to scale)

  • American Water Spaniel
  • Boykin Spaniel
  • Brittany
  • Chesapeake Bay Retriever
  • Clumber Spaniel
  • Cocker Spaniel
  • Curly-Coated Retriever
  • English Cocker Spaniel
  • English Setter
  • English Springer Spaniel
  • Field Spaniel
  • Flat-Coated Retriever
  • German Shorthaired Pointer
  • German Wirehaired Pointer
  • Golden Retriever
  • Gordon Setter
  • Irish Red and White Setter
  • Irish Setter
  • Irish Water Spaniel
  • Labrador Retriever
  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  • Pointer
  • Spinone Italiano
  • Sussex Spaniel
  • Vizsla
  • Weimaraner
  • Welsh Springer Spaniel
  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

AKC BREEDS BY GROUP – HOUND

http://www.akc.org/breeds/hound_group.cfm

Most hounds sdor Retriever

  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  • Pointer
  • Spinone Italiano
  • Sussex Spaniel
  • Vizsla
  • Weimaraner
  • Welsh Springer Spaniel
  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
  • AKC BREEDS BY GROUP – HOUND

    http://www.akc.org/breeds/hound_group.cfm

    Most hounds share the common ancestral trait of being used for hunting. Some use acute scenting powers to follow a trail. Others demonstrate a phenomenal gift of stamina as they relentlessly run down quarry. Beyond this, however, generalizations about hounds are hard to come by, since the Group encompasses quite a diverse lot. There are Pharaoh Hounds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Afghans and Beagles, among others. Some hounds share the distinct ability to produce a unique sound known as baying. You’d best sample this sound before you decide to get a hound of your own to be sure it’s your cup of tea.

    • Afghan Hound
    • American English Coonhound
    • American Foxhound
    • Basenji
    • Basset Hound
    • Beagle
    • Black and Tan Coonhound
    • Bloodhound
    • Bluetick Coonhound
    • Borzoi
    • Dachshund
    • English Foxhound
    • Greyhound
    • Harrier
    • Ibizan Hound
    • Irish Wolfhound
    • Norwegian Elkhound
    • Otterhound
    • Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
    • Pharaoh Hound
    • Plott
    • Redbone Coonhound
    • Rhodesian Ridgeback
    • Saluki
    • Scottish Deerhound
    • Treeing Walker Coonhound
    • Whippet

     

    AKC BREEDS BY GROUP – WORKING

    http://www.akc.org/breeds/working_group.cfm

    Dogs of the Working Group were bred to perform such jobs as guarding property, pulling sleds and performing water rescues. They have been invaluable assets to man throughout the ages. The Doberman Pinscher, Siberian Husky and Great Dane are included in this Group, to name just a few. Quick to learn, these intelligent, capable animals make solid companions. Their considerable dimensions and strength alone, however, make many working dogs unsuitable as pets for average families. And again, by virtue of their size alone, these dogs must be properly trained.

    • Akita
    • Alaskan Malamute
    • Anatolian Shepherd Dog
    • Bernese Mountain Dog
    • Black Russian Terrier
    • Boxer
    • Bullmastiff
    • Cane Corso
    • Doberman Pinscher
    • Dogue de Bordeaux
    • German Pinscher
    • Giant Schnauzer
    • Great Dane
    • Great Pyrenees
    • Greater Swiss
    • Mountain Dog
    • Komondor
    • Kuvasz
    • Leonberger
    • Mastiff
    • Neapolitan Mastiff
    • Newfoundland
    • Portuguese Water Dog
    • Rottweiler
    • Saint Bernard
    • Samoyed
    • Siberian Husky
    • Standard Schnauzer
    • Tibetan Mastiff

     

    AKC BREEDS BY GROUP – TERRIER

    http://www.akc.org/breeds/terrier_group.cfm

    People familiar with this Group invariably comment on the distinctive terrier personality. These are feisty, energetic dogs whose sizes range from fairly small, as in the Norfolk, Cairn or West Highland White Terrier, to the grand Airedale Terrier. Terriers typically have little tolerance for other animals, including other dogs. Their ancestors were bred to hunt and kill vermin. Many continue to project the attitude that they’re always eager for a spirited argument. Most terriers have wiry coats that require special grooming known as stripping in order to maintain a characteristic appearance. In general, they make engaging pets, but require owners with the determination to match their dogs’ lively characters. Airedale Terrier

    • American Staffordshire Terrier
    • Australian Terrier
    • Bedlington Terrier
    • Border Terrier
    • Bull Terrier
    • Cairn Terrier
    • Cesky Terrier
    • Dandie Dinmont Terrier
    • t terriers have wiry coats that require special grooming known as stripping in order to maintain a characteristic appearance. In general, they make engaging pets, but require owners with the determination to match their dogs’ lively characters. Airedale Terrier

      • American Staffordshire Terrier
      • Australian Terrier
      • Bedlington Terrier
      • Border Terrier
      • Bull Terrier
      • Cairn Terrier
      • Cesky Terrier
      • Dandie Dinmont Terrier
      • Glen of Imaal Terrier
      • Irish Terrier
      • Kerry Blue Terrier
      • Lakeland Terrier
      • Manchester Terrier
      • Miniature Bull Terrier
      • Miniature Schnauzer
      • Norfolk Terrier
      • Norwich Terrier
      • Parson Russell Terrier
      • Russell Terrier
      • Scottish Terrier
      • Sealyham Terrier
      • Skye Terrier
      • Smooth Fox Terrier
      • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
      • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
      • Welsh Terrier
      • West Highland White Terrier
      • Wire Fox Terrier

       

       

      AKC BREEDS BY GROUP – TOY

      http://www.akc.org/breeds/toy_group.cfm

      The diminutive size and winsome expressions of Toy dogs illustrate the main function of this Group: to embody sheer delight. Don’t let their tiny stature fool you, though – many Toys are tough as nails. If you haven’t yet experienced the barking of an angry Chihuahua, for example, well, just wait. Toy dogs will always be popular with city dwellers and people without much living space. They make ideal apartment dogs and terrific lap warmers on nippy nights. (Incidentally, small breeds may be found in every Group, not just the Toy Group. We advise everyone to seriously consider getting a small breed, when appropriate, if for no other reason than to minimize some of the problems inherent in canines such as shedding, creating messes and cost of care. And, training aside, it’s still easier to control a ten-pound dog than it is one ten times that size.)

      • Affenpinscher
      • Brussels Griffon
      • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
      • Chihuahua
      • Chinese Crested
      • English Toy Spaniel
      • Havanese
      • Italian Greyhound
      • Japanese Chin
      • Maltese
      • Manchester Terrier
      • Miniature Pinscher
      • Papillon
      • Pekingese
      • Pomeranian
      • Poodle
      • Pug
      • Shih Tzu
      • Silky Terrier
      • Toy Fox Terrier
      • Yorkshire Terrier

       

      AKC BREEDS BY GROUP – NON-SPORTING

      http://www.akc.org/breeds/non-sporting_group.cfm

      Non-sporting dogs are a diverse group. Here are sturr

    • Papillon
    • Pekingese
    • Pomeranian
    • Poodle
    • Pug
    • Shih Tzu
    • Silky Terrier
    • Toy Fox Terrier
    • Yorkshire Terrier

     

    AKC BREEDS BY GROUP – NON-SPORTING

    http://www.akc.org/breeds/non-sporting_group.cfm

    Non-sporting dogs are a diverse group. Here are sturdy animals with as different personalities and appearances as the Chow Chow, Dalmatian, French Bulldog, and Keeshond. Talk about differences in size, coat, and visage! Some, like the Schipperke and Tibetan Spaniel are uncommon sights in the average neighborhood. Others, however, like the Poodle and Lhasa Apso, have quite a large following. The breeds in the Non-Sporting Group are a varied collection in terms of size, coat, personality and overall appearance.

    • American Eskimo Dog
    • Bichdy animals with as different personalities and appearances as the Chow Chow, Dalmatian, French Bulldog, and Keeshond. Talk about differences in size, coat, and visage! Some, like the Schipperke and Tibetan Spaniel are uncommon sights in the average neighborhood. Others, however, like the Poodle and Lhasa Apso, have quite a large following. The breeds in the Non-Sporting Group are a varied collection in terms of size, coat, personality and overall appearance.
      • American Eskimo Dog
      • Bichon Frise
      • Boston Terrier
      • Bulldog
      • Chinese Shar-Pei
      • Chow Chow
      • Dalmatian
      • Finnish Spitz
      • French Bulldog
      • Keeshond
      • Lhasa Apso
      • Löwchen
      • Norwegian Lundehund
      • Poodle
      • Schipperke
      • Shiba Inu
      • Tibetan Spaniel
      • Tibetan Terrier
      • Xoloitzcuintli

       

      AKC BREEDS BY GROUP – HERDING

      http://www.akc.org/breeds/herding_group.cfm

      The Herding Group, created in 1983, is the newest AKC classification; its members were formerly members of the Working Group. All breeds share the fabulous ability to control the movement of other animals. A remarkable example is the low-set Corgi, perhaps one foot tall at the shoulders, that can drive a herd of cows many times its size to pasture by leaping and nipping at their heels. The vast majority of Herding dogs, as household pets, never cross paths with a farm animal. Nevertheless, pure instinct prompts many of these dogs to gently herd their owners, especially the children of the family. In general, these intelligent dogs make excellent companions and respond beautifully to training exercises.

      • Australian Cattle Dog
      • Australian Shepherd
      • Bearded Collie
      • Beauceron
      • Belgian Malinois
      • Belgian Sheepdog
      • Belgian Tervuren
      • Border Collie
      • Bouvier des Flandres
      • Briard
      • Canaan Dog
      • Cardigan Welsh Corgi
      • Collie
      • Entlebucher Mountain Dog
      • Finnish Lapphund
      • German Shepherd Dog
      • Icelandic Sheepdog
      • Norwegian Buhund
      • Old English Sheepdog
      • Pembroke Welsh Corgi
      • Polish Lowland Sheepdog
      • Puli
      • Pyrenean Shepherd
      • Shetland Sheepdog
      • Swedish Vallhund

       

      AKC BREEDS BY GROUP – MISCELLANEOUS CLASS

      http://www.akc.org/breeds/miscellaneous_class.cfm

      The breeds currently eligible to participate in the Miscellaneous Class are still enrolled in the AKC Foundation Stock Service . FSS enrollment is maintained until the AKC Board of Directors accepts the breed for regular status.

      Authorities acknowledge that throughout the world there are several hundred distinct breeds of purebred dogs, not all of which are AKC recognized breeds. Those officially recognized for AKC registration appear in the Stud Book of the American Kennel Club. The AKC provides for a regular path of development for a new breed, which may result in that breed’s full recognition and appearance in the official Stud Book as an AKC recognized breed.

      Briefly stated, the requirement for admission to the Stud Book is clear and categorical proof that a substantial, sustained nationwide interest and activity in the breed exists. This includes an active parent club, with serious and expanding breeding activity over a wide geographic area.

      When in the judgment of the Board of Directors such interest and activity exists, a breed is admitted to the Miscellaneous Class. Breeds in the Miscellaneous Class may compete and earn titles in Companion Events and also select Performance Events. Miscellaneous breeds are also eligible to compete in Junior Showmanship. They may also compete at conformation shows, but here are limited to competition in the Miscellaneous Class and are not eligible for championship points.

      When the Board of Directors is satisfied that a breed is continuing a healthy, dynamic growth in the Miscellaneous Class, it may be admitted to registration in the Stud Book and the opportunity to compete in regular classes.

      • Azawakh
      • Belgian Laekenois
      • Bergamasco
      • Boerboel
      • Chinook
      • Cirneco dell’Etna
      • Coton de Tulear
      • Dogo Argentino
      • Miniature American Shepherd
      • Peruvian Inca Orchid
      • Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
      • Pumi
      • Rat Terrier
      • Sloughi
      • Spanish Water Dog
      • Wirehaired Vizsla

      FOUNDATION STOCK SERVICE BREEDS

      http://www.akc.org/breeds/fss_breeds.cfm

      Each of the following breeds has been accepted for recording in the AKC Foundation Stock Service . The AKC provides this service to allow these purebred breeds to continue to develop while providing them with the security of a reliable and reputable avenue to maintain their records. FSS breeds are not eligible for AKC registration. Several of the FSS breeds are approved to compete in AKC Companion Events. To review the complete list of breeds approved to compete in companion events, click here.

      Additionally you can visit our FSS Resource Center.

      Contact information is available for a majority of the Foundation Stock Service breeds. The AKC does not recommend one club over another. None of the clubs are affiliated with the AKC at this time (except for the coonhound national breed clubs).

      • American Hairless Terrier
      • Appenzeller Sennenhunde
      • Azawakh Barbet
      • Belgian Laekenois
      • Bergamasco
      • Berger Picard
      • Boerboel
      • Bolognese
      • Bracco Italiano
      • Braque du Bourbonnais
      • Catahoula Leopard Dog
      • Caucasian Ovcharka
      • Central Asian Shepherd Dog
      • Chinook
      • Cirneco dell’Etna
      • Coton de Tulear
      • Czechoslovakian Vlcak
      • Danish-Swedish Farmdog
      • Deutscher Wachtelhund
      • Dogo Argentino
      • Drentsche Patrijshond
      • Dutch Shepherd
      • Estrela Mountain Dog
      • Eurasier
      • French Spaniel
      • German Longhaired Pointer
      • German Spitz
      • Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
      • Hamiltonstövare
      • Hovawart
      • Jindo
      • Kai Ken
      • Karelian Bear Dog
      • Kishu Ken
      • Kooikerhondje
      • Lagotto Romagnolo
      • Lancashire Heeler
      • Miniature American Shepherd
      • Mudi
      • Norrbottenspets
      • Perro de Presa Canario
      • Peruvian Inca Orchid
      • Portuguese Podengo
      • Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
      • Portuguese Pointer
      • Pumi
      • Rafeiro do Alentejo
      • Rat Terrier
      • Russian Toy
      • Schapendoes
      • Slovensky Cuvac
      • Sloughi Small
      • Munsterlander Pointer
      • Spanish Mastiff
      • Spanish Water Dog
      • Stabyhoun
      • Swedish Lapphund
      • Thai Ridgeback
      • Tornjak
      • Tosa
      • Treeing Tennessee Brindle
      • Wirehaired Vizsla
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