This page provides basic information about dog breed and other interesting facts. Go straight to the list of dog breeds.
Some dog breeds were specifically developed to be companions (so called lap dogs) for humans. Dogs were originally bred to perform specific "jobs," such as hunting, herding, and guarding.
Of course, all dog breeds served the companion role to differing extents. To best perform these tasks, breeders selected for physical, mental, and temperamental qualities best-suited to the requirements of the "jobs" for which these dogs were bred.
What follows is an overview of the typical qualities, needs, and propensities of groups or types of dogs. It is not the traditional AKC grouping, but one that instead groups dogs based on the qualities desirable for the jobs they were to perform.
It is important to remember that within breeds there is considerable variability; dogs are individuals and their behavior is a combination of inherited characteristics, history and early experiences, and training (or lack thereof).
SIGHT HOUNDS
Sight hounds were bred to hunt by seeing, following, chasing, and wearing down large game...without direction from humans. Thus, they have a strong prey-drive and may not fit well into homes with cats and other small critters.
Examples: Afghan, Basenji, Borzoi, Greyhound, Irish Wolfhound, Pharoah Hound, Saluki, Scottish Deerhound, Whippet.
SCENT HOUNDS - Small/Medium
Bred to track, follow, and find prey in groups they communicate with one another vocally. Persistent vocalizing is a common behavior among these hounds. They have a strong pack mentality, and will follow their noses wherever.
Examples: Beagle, Dachshund, Foxhound, Harrier, Treeing Walker Hound.
SCENT HOUNDS - Large
Like their smaller relatives, the large scent hounds track and follow prey via scent. They usually work singly or in pairs ranging widely from their human companions and alerting their location and "find" vocally. Larger scent hounds tend to be slower, mellower, and more independent than their smaller relatives.
Examples: Black & Tan Coonhound, Bloodhound, Coonhound, Redbone, Plott Hound.
SPORTING
These dogs were bred to flush and retrieve birds under the direction of their human guardians. Because they were bred to work with people, they tend to be very attentive to people and to train rather easily.
Examples: Flat Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German Shorthair, Brittany, English Setter, Standard Poodle, Irish Setter, Rhodesian Ridgeback.
TERRIERS
Bred to find, follow, dig out, and kill small game (often larger than themselves) without instruction from their humans. While terriers vary in size and coat, they all have similar temperaments: very independent, high energy, feisty, and status-seeking.
Examples: Airedale, Boston Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Fox Terrier, Parson Russell, Kerry Blue, Rat Terrier, Mini Schnauzer, Scotty, Wheaton.
HERDING
Bred to manipulate and protect livestock either independently or as a partner with their human guardians. These are very high energy dogs, and while they are generally quite people-oriented, they also have a independent streak.
These dogs need jobs to do, and if under-exercised and/or bored, they will find things to do, and those things will not always to acceptable to their humans (e.g., rounding up kids in the neighborhood, destructiveness).
Examples: Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Border Collie, Collie, German Shepherd Dog, Shetland Sheepdog.
SELF-EMPLOYED
These dogs were bred for jobs that required independent thinking: protecting herds and property, pulling carts and sleds, water and snow rescue. These dogs generally require substantial exercise, training, and mental challenges to keep them tractable and happy. Dog-to-dog aggression is rather common in this group.
Examples: Akita, American Eskimo dog, Boxer, Briard, Doberman, Chow, Malamute, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, St. Bernard.
PIT BULL
Bred as fighting dogs, they typically are especially athletic, have a high pain-tolerance, and a strong prey-drive. Historically, any aggression toward humans was not tolerated, thus is not inherently a part of these breeds.
These dogs were frequently family companions and were extensively handled by humans before, during, and after fights.Now largely kept as companions, there are those breeding for aggression toward humans (so called "guard" dogs) and for fighting, which is still legal in some states, and on-going even in those where it is illegal.
Examples: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier.
TOY (LAP DOGS)
These little ones were bred to be companions/lap dogs. If well-socialized and trained, they make most pleasant companions.
Examples: Bichon Frise, Cavalier, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, French Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Min Pin, Papillon, Pekinese, Pomeranian, Min & Toy Poodles, Shih Tzu, Yorkie.
To help you navigate through the right dog breed easier, we have structure the breed according to several categories.
Dog breeds by AKC category
- Herding Breeds.
- Hound Breeds.
- Miscellaneous Class Breeds.
- Non-Sporting Breeds.
- Not AKC Recognized Breeds.
- Sporting Breeds.
- Terrier Breeds.
- Toy Breeds.
- Working Dog Breeds.
Alternatively, you can start browsing the dog breed information directly. You can use the page by page navigation to move forward and backward.