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    Dog Breeds Library

    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.

    Find your matchBrowse by group
    A diverse collection of dog breeds

    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.

    7 flagship breedsExplore

    Herding Group

    Athletic, intensely trainable dogs bred to control the movement of livestock.

    7 flagship breedsExplore

    Working Group

    Powerful, purpose-bred guardians, draft dogs and rescue workers.

    6 flagship breedsExplore

    Terrier Group

    Feisty, fearless dogs originally bred to hunt vermin underground.

    5 flagship breedsExplore

    Hound Group

    Scent and sight specialists bred to track game over long distances.

    7 flagship breedsExplore

    Toy Group

    Small companion breeds developed for life as devoted lap dogs.

    7 flagship breedsExplore

    Non-Sporting Group

    An eclectic mix of breeds that don't fit other categories — from Bulldogs to Poodles.

    8 flagship breedsExplore

    Flagship Breed Profiles

    In-depth, vet-reviewed guides covering everything you need to know — from puppyhood through senior years.

    Yellow Labrador Retriever sitting in a sunlit grassy backyard

    Labrador Retriever

    Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 11–13y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 65–80 lb
    Golden Retriever lying calmly on a hardwood floor in bright morning light

    Golden Retriever

    Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 10–12y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 65–75 lb
    Fawn French Bulldog sitting on a soft rug in a modern apartment

    French Bulldog

    Non-Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 10–12y
    Energy: ●●○○○
    Weight (M): 20–28 lb
    German Shepherd standing alert in a green park

    German Shepherd

    Herding Group

    Lifespan: 9–13y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 65–90 lb
    Black Standard Poodle sitting elegantly outdoors

    Standard Poodle

    Non-Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 12–15y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 60–70 lb
    Brindle and white English Bulldog sitting on a porch in afternoon sun

    Bulldog (English Bulldog)

    Non-Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 8–10y
    Energy: ●●○○○
    Weight (M): 50 lb
    Tricolor Beagle sniffing in a grassy meadow with wildflowers

    Beagle

    Hound Group

    Lifespan: 12–15y
    Energy: ●●●○○
    Weight (M): 20–30 lb
    Smooth red Dachshund standing on autumn leaves

    Dachshund

    Hound Group

    Lifespan: 12–16y
    Energy: ●●●○○
    Weight (M): 16–32 (std), <11 (mini) lb
    Yorkshire Terrier with a long silky coat sitting on a cushion in bright light

    Yorkshire Terrier

    Toy Group

    Lifespan: 13–16y
    Energy: ●●●○○
    Weight (M): ≤7 lb
    Fawn Boxer dog sitting attentively in a backyard

    Boxer

    Working Group

    Lifespan: 10–12y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 65–80 lb
    Black and white Border Collie running through a green field

    Border Collie

    Herding Group

    Lifespan: 12–15y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 30–55 lb
    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with chestnut and white markings sitting on a couch

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Toy Group

    Lifespan: 9–14y
    Energy: ●●○○○
    Weight (M): 13–18 lb
    A buff-colored American Cocker Spaniel with a long, flowing coat standing in a grassy field.

    American Cocker Spaniel

    Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 10–14y
    Energy: ●●●○○
    Weight (M): 25-30 lb
    Liver and white English Springer Spaniel sitting in a grassy field.

    English Springer Spaniel

    Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 12–14y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 50 lb
    An orange and white Brittany dog standing alert in a grassy field.

    Brittany

    Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 12–14y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 30-40 lb
    A golden-rust colored Vizsla standing alert in a grassy field.

    Vizsla

    Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 12–14y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 55-60 lb
    A sleek, silver-gray Weimaraner standing alert in a grassy field.

    Weimaraner

    Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 10–13y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 70-90 lb
    Blue merle Australian Shepherd standing in a grassy field.

    Australian Shepherd

    Herding Group

    Lifespan: 12–15y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 50-65 lb
    A red and white Pembroke Welsh Corgi standing alert in a grassy field.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Herding Group

    Lifespan: 12–15y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): up to 30 lb
    A sable and white Shetland Sheepdog standing in a green field.

    Shetland Sheepdog

    Herding Group

    Lifespan: 12–14y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 15-25 lb
    A fawn-colored Belgian Malinois with a black mask standing alert in a grassy field.

    Belgian Malinois

    Herding Group

    Lifespan: 14–16y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 60-80 lb
    A blue merle Australian Cattle Dog with a tan mask stands alert in a grassy field.

    Australian Cattle Dog

    Herding Group

    Lifespan: 12–16y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 35-50 lb
    A muscular, black-and-tan Rottweiler stands alertly in a grassy field.

    Rottweiler

    Working Group

    Lifespan: 9–10y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 95-135 lb
    A black and rust Doberman Pinscher standing alert in a grassy field.

    Doberman Pinscher

    Working Group

    Lifespan: 10–12y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 75-100 lb
    Fawn Great Dane standing in a grassy field.

    Great Dane

    Working Group

    Lifespan: 7–10y
    Energy: ●●●○○
    Weight (M): 140-175 lb
    A tri-color Bernese Mountain Dog sitting in a green field.

    Bernese Mountain Dog

    Working Group

    Lifespan: 7–10y
    Energy: ●●●○○
    Weight (M): 80-115 lb
    A black and white Siberian Husky with blue eyes standing in a snowy field.

    Siberian Husky

    Working Group

    Lifespan: 12–15y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 45-60 lb
    A white Bull Terrier with a black patch over its left eye stands attentively in a grassy park.

    Bull Terrier

    Terrier Group

    Lifespan: 12–13y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 50-70 lb
    A brindle Staffordshire Bull Terrier standing alert in a grassy field.

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Terrier Group

    Lifespan: 12–14y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 28-38 lb
    A tan and black Airedale Terrier standing alert in a grassy field.

    Airedale Terrier

    Terrier Group

    Lifespan: 11–14y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 50-70 lb
    A white West Highland White Terrier with a curious expression, standing in a grassy field.

    West Highland White Terrier

    Terrier Group

    Lifespan: 13–15y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 15-20 lb
    A black Scottish Terrier with its characteristic beard and wiry coat standing alert in a grassy area.

    Scottish Terrier

    Terrier Group

    Lifespan: 12–15y
    Energy: ●●●○○
    Weight (M): 19-22 lb
    A red Bloodhound with long, droopy ears and a wrinkled brow stands in a grassy field.

    Bloodhound

    Hound Group

    Lifespan: 10–12y
    Energy: ●●●○○
    Weight (M): 90-110 lb
    A tri-color Basset Hound with characteristic long, drooping ears and sad-looking eyes, sitting in a grassy area.

    Basset Hound

    Hound Group

    Lifespan: 12–13y
    Energy: ●●○○○
    Weight (M): 50-65 lb
    A brindle-coated Greyhound standing in a grassy field.

    Greyhound

    Hound Group

    Lifespan: 10–13y
    Energy: ●●●○○
    Weight (M): 65-70 lb
    A brindle Whippet standing alert in a grassy field.

    Whippet

    Hound Group

    Lifespan: 12–15y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 25-40 lb
    A light wheaten Rhodesian Ridgeback stands alert in a grassy field.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Hound Group

    Lifespan: 10–12y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 85 lb
    A full-coated orange Pomeranian standing alertly in a green, grassy area.

    Pomeranian

    Toy Group

    Lifespan: 12–16y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 3-7 lb
    A fawn Pug with a black mask sitting attentively on a green lawn.

    Pug

    Toy Group

    Lifespan: 13–15y
    Energy: ●●○○○
    Weight (M): 14-18 lb
    A Shih Tzu with a long, flowing multicolored coat sitting in a garden.

    Shih Tzu

    Toy Group

    Lifespan: 10–16y
    Energy: ●●○○○
    Weight (M): 9-16 lb
    A small, long-haired white Maltese dog sitting indoors on a neutral background.

    Maltese

    Toy Group

    Lifespan: 12–15y
    Energy: ●●●○○
    Weight (M): 4-7 lb
    A tan, smooth-coat Chihuahua with large ears standing alert in a sunny, grassy field.

    Chihuahua

    Toy Group

    Lifespan: 14–16y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): Up to 6 lb
    A black and white Boston Terrier with classic tuxedo markings stands alertly in a grassy field.

    Boston Terrier

    Non-Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 11–13y
    Energy: ●●●○○
    Weight (M): 12-25 lb
    A black-and-white spotted Dalmatian standing in a grassy field.

    Dalmatian

    Non-Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 11–13y
    Energy: ●●●●●
    Weight (M): 55-70 lb
    A red-coated rough Chow Chow standing outdoors on a path.

    Chow Chow

    Non-Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 8–12y
    Energy: ●●○○○
    Weight (M): 55-70 lb
    A red Shiba Inu standing alert in a forest.

    Shiba Inu

    Non-Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 13–16y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 23 lb
    A purebred white Bichon Frise in a show-style haircut sits in a green field.

    Bichon Frise

    Non-Sporting Group

    Lifespan: 14–15y
    Energy: ●●●●○
    Weight (M): 12-18 lb

    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.