List Of Dog Breeds

Jump to A-Z List Of Dog Breeds


The dog breeds we recognize today have evolved from the genus Canus about a million years ago. It is believed that all different types of dogs are descendants of the wolf.

At some point man and dog found mutually favorable reasons to team up, though there is some debate about when this occurred.

Fossil remains provide evidence of dogs' domestic involvement with man at around 13,000 years ago, though recent DNA findings have revealed much earlier connections.

In time it was discovered that dogs were not only good companions around the camp, but could help with various physical tasks.

Again, there are differing opinions about how dogs became so diversified. But many experts believe that humans, being pretty quick to realize the dogs' potential, started selectively breeding dogs of certain physical characteristics for different types of tasks.

No matter what the conditions were that first brought man and dog together, the evidence is clear that dogs have become beloved and loyal friends over the years.

Today, some of the descendants of these early domesticated dogs are classified in this list of dog breeds by dog groups, with one group simply known as "miscellaneous". This class contains a list of dog breeds awaiting opportunity for full recognition and registration into the AKC Stud Book.

The standards for the various dog group classifications are set by kennel clubs around the world.

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In 1884 the American Kennel Club was founded to promote, among other things, the breeding and sport of purebred dogs for type and function. The AKC subsequently established the standards and the classification of purebred dog breeds by dog group. Most of these dogs can be found in our list of dog breeds.

If you are thinking about getting a dog and have asked the question: "what is the best dog for me?" - you will be able to compare a wide selection of dog breed profiles from the list of dog breeds and their related information presented on this site. Don't try to find the "perfect" dog breed, because every dog has something special to recommend them. Just look for the features that most appeal to you, and go from there.

On the other hand, we do have many specialized pages that describe the various dog types. These include the miniature dog breeds, terrier, working, herding, and sporting breeds, as well as the hound dog breeds and toy dog breeds. And if you're looking for a family dog, we also have a page about dogs good with children that you may find useful. Additionally, our readers seemed to be interested in having a reference list of small dog breeds, so we have included that too!

And last, but not least, when you are searching for a particular dog, use the quick and handy A-Z drop down menu below to look for different types of dog breeds by group or name. When you do this you will be taken to individual pages about the various dog breeds with pictures, where you can read a complete background on the breed.

Search Our List Of Dog Breeds

A-Z of Dog Breeds/Groups Affenpinscher Afghan Airedale Terrier Akita Dog Breed American Eskimo Dog American Foxhound American Staffordshire Terrier American Water Spaniel Anatolian Shepherd Dogs Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Australian Terrier Basenji Basset Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Bedlington Terrier Belgian Malinois Belgian Sheepdog Belgian Tervuren Bichon Frise Black And Tan Coonhound Black Russian Terriers Bloodhound Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier_des_Flandres Briard Brittany Brussels Griffon Bulldog Bull Mastiff Dog Bull Terrier Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Cardigan Welsh Corgi Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua Chinese Crested Chinese Shar Pei Chow Chow Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Collie Curly-coated Retriever Dachshund Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Doberman Pinscher Dogs English Cocker Spaniel English Foxhound English Setter English Springer Spaniel English Toy Spaniel Field Spaniel Finnish Spitz Flat-Coated Retriever French Bull Dogs German Shorthaired Pointer German Shepherd Dog German Wirehaired Pointer Glen of Imaal Terrier Golden Retriever Gordon Setter Greyhound Harrier Havanese Herding Dog Breeds Hound Dog Breeds Ibizan Hound Irish Setter Irish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Japanese Chin Kerry Blue Terrier Keeshonds Labrador Retriever Lakeland Terrier Lhasa Apso Dogs Maltese Manchester Terrier Toy Manchester Terrier Miniature Bull Terrier Miniature Dog Breeds Miniature Pinscher Miniature Schnauzer non-sporting group Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Elkhound Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Old English Sheepdog Otterhound Papillon Parson Russell Terrier Pekingese Pembroke Welsh Corgi Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Pharaoh Hound Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pomeranian Poodle Pug Puli Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Dogs Saluki Scottish Deerhound Scottish Terrier Sealyham Terrier Shetland Sheepdog Shih Tzu Dogs Silky Terrier Skye Terrier Smooth Fox Terrier Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Spinone Italiano Sporting Dog Breeds Staffordshire Bull Terrier Sussex Spaniel Terrier Dog Breeds Toy Dog Breeds Toy Fox Terrier Vizsla Weimaraner Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier West Highland White Terrier Whippet Wire Fox Terrier Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Working Dog Breeds Xoloitzcuintle Yorkshire Terrier