Every Dog Breed, Vet-Reviewed
200+ dog breeds organized into 7 AKC groups — with deep profiles covering health watchouts, exercise needs, nutrition, training, and cost of ownership. Edited by licensed veterinarians.

The 7 AKC Breed Groups
Every breed fits into one of these groups based on its original working purpose. Start here to narrow down what type of dog fits your life.
Sporting Group
Active, friendly hunting companions bred to retrieve game from land and water.
Herding Group
Athletic, intensely trainable dogs bred to control the movement of livestock.
Working Group
Powerful, purpose-bred guardians, draft dogs and rescue workers.
Terrier Group
Feisty, fearless dogs originally bred to hunt vermin underground.
Hound Group
Scent and sight specialists bred to track game over long distances.
Toy Group
Small companion breeds developed for life as devoted lap dogs.
Non-Sporting Group
An eclectic mix of breeds that don't fit other categories — from Bulldogs to Poodles.
Flagship Breed Profiles
In-depth, vet-reviewed guides covering everything you need to know — from puppyhood through senior years.

Labrador Retriever
Sporting Group

Golden Retriever
Sporting Group

French Bulldog
Non-Sporting Group

German Shepherd
Herding Group

Standard Poodle
Non-Sporting Group

Bulldog (English Bulldog)
Non-Sporting Group

Beagle
Hound Group

Dachshund
Hound Group

Yorkshire Terrier
Toy Group

Boxer
Working Group

Border Collie
Herding Group

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Toy Group

American Cocker Spaniel
Sporting Group

English Springer Spaniel
Sporting Group

Brittany
Sporting Group

Vizsla
Sporting Group

Weimaraner
Sporting Group

Australian Shepherd
Herding Group

Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Herding Group

Shetland Sheepdog
Herding Group

Belgian Malinois
Herding Group

Australian Cattle Dog
Herding Group

Rottweiler
Working Group

Doberman Pinscher
Working Group

Great Dane
Working Group

Bernese Mountain Dog
Working Group

Siberian Husky
Working Group

Bull Terrier
Terrier Group

Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Terrier Group

Airedale Terrier
Terrier Group

West Highland White Terrier
Terrier Group

Scottish Terrier
Terrier Group

Bloodhound
Hound Group

Basset Hound
Hound Group

Greyhound
Hound Group

Whippet
Hound Group

Rhodesian Ridgeback
Hound Group

Pomeranian
Toy Group

Pug
Toy Group

Shih Tzu
Toy Group

Maltese
Toy Group

Chihuahua
Toy Group

Boston Terrier
Non-Sporting Group

Dalmatian
Non-Sporting Group

Chow Chow
Non-Sporting Group

Shiba Inu
Non-Sporting Group

Bichon Frise
Non-Sporting Group

German Shorthaired Pointer
Sporting Group

English Setter
Sporting Group

Irish Setter
Sporting Group

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Sporting Group

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Sporting Group

Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Herding Group

Old English Sheepdog
Herding Group

Bearded Collie
Herding Group

Collie (Rough)
Herding Group

Bouvier des Flandres
Herding Group

Alaskan Malamute
Working Group

Saint Bernard
Working Group

Newfoundland
Working Group

Mastiff
Working Group

Cane Corso
Working Group

Miniature Schnauzer
Terrier Group

Cairn Terrier
Terrier Group

Jack Russell Terrier
Terrier Group

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Terrier Group

Wire Fox Terrier
Terrier Group

Italian Greyhound
Hound Group

Afghan Hound
Hound Group

Saluki
Hound Group

Borzoi
Hound Group

Norwegian Elkhound
Hound Group

Havanese
Toy Group

Papillon
Toy Group

Toy Poodle
Toy Group

Pekingese
Toy Group

Brussels Griffon
Toy Group

Miniature Poodle
Non-Sporting Group

Chinese Shar-Pei
Non-Sporting Group

Lhasa Apso
Non-Sporting Group

Keeshond
Non-Sporting Group

American Eskimo Dog
Non-Sporting Group

English Cocker Spaniel
Sporting Group

Flat-Coated Retriever
Sporting Group

Curly-Coated Retriever
Sporting Group

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Sporting Group

Boykin Spaniel
Sporting Group

Field Spaniel
Sporting Group

Welsh Springer Spaniel
Sporting Group

Briard
Herding Group

Pumi
Herding Group

Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Herding Group

Finnish Lapphund
Herding Group

Pyrenean Shepherd
Herding Group

Swedish Vallhund
Herding Group

Bergamasco Sheepdog
Herding Group

Canaan Dog
Herding Group

Akita
Working Group

Bullmastiff
Working Group

Anatolian Shepherd
Working Group

Dogue de Bordeaux
Working Group

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Working Group

Leonberger
Working Group

Portuguese Water Dog
Working Group

Samoyed
Working Group

Tibetan Mastiff
Working Group

American Staffordshire Terrier
Terrier Group

Border Terrier
Terrier Group

Norfolk Terrier
Terrier Group

Norwich Terrier
Terrier Group

Welsh Terrier
Terrier Group

Bedlington Terrier
Terrier Group

Kerry Blue Terrier
Terrier Group

Irish Terrier
Terrier Group

Smooth Fox Terrier
Terrier Group

Lakeland Terrier
Terrier Group

Irish Wolfhound
Hound Group

Scottish Deerhound
Hound Group

Ibizan Hound
Hound Group

Pharaoh Hound
Hound Group

Black and Tan Coonhound
Hound Group

Bluetick Coonhound
Hound Group

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Hound Group

Otterhound
Hound Group

Affenpinscher
Toy Group

Chinese Crested
Toy Group

Japanese Chin
Toy Group

Miniature Pinscher
Toy Group

Silky Terrier
Toy Group

Toy Fox Terrier
Toy Group

English Toy Spaniel
Toy Group

Biewer Terrier
Toy Group

Tibetan Spaniel
Non-Sporting Group

Tibetan Terrier
Non-Sporting Group

Schipperke
Non-Sporting Group

Finnish Spitz
Non-Sporting Group

Coton de Tulear
Non-Sporting Group

Xoloitzcuintli
Non-Sporting Group

Löwchen
Non-Sporting Group
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dog breeds are there?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 200+ breeds, organized into 7 groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Globally, the FCI recognizes 360+ breeds.
What is the most popular dog breed?
The French Bulldog overtook the Labrador Retriever as America's most-registered breed in 2022 and has held the #1 AKC spot since. Labradors held #1 for 31 consecutive years before that.
How do I choose the right breed?
Match energy level, exercise needs, grooming, and lifespan to your real lifestyle — not the lifestyle you wish you had. Use our PetMatchQuiz tool, then read the deep profile for any breed on your shortlist.
Are breed deep profiles vet-reviewed?
Yes. Every breed profile is drafted from AKC standards, AVMA, AAHA, OFA, and Merck Veterinary Manual sources, then edited by our medical reviewers for accuracy and bias.