AKC Dog Breeds: Find Your Perfect Breed

The American Kennel Club recognizes hundreds of purebred dog breeds, each with its own history, appearance, temperament and purpose. Use the breed finder below to explore AKC breeds by name or dog group, then follow the links to learn more about the breeds that interest you.

Search the AKC Breeds

Here is a handy drop-down menu you can use to help you find any AKC breed or dog group you may want to explore.

Select a Dog Breed Or Group: -- A-Z of Dog Breeds/Groups -- Affenpinscher Afghan Airedale Terrier AKC Miscellaneous Class Akita Dog Breed Alaskan Malamute 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 Bernese Mountain Dogs 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 Spaniels Cocker Spaniel Collie Curly-coated Retriever Dachshund Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Doberman Pinscher Dogs English Bull 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 Shepherd Dog German Wirehaired Pointer Glen of Imaal Terrier 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 Lagotto Romagnolo Lakeland Terrier Landseer Newfoundland Lhasa Apso Dogs Maltese Manchester Terrier Toy Manchester Terrier Mastiff Dog Breeds 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 Saint Bernard 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

Classification of AKC Breeds

The AKC organizes recognized breeds into seven Groups, each highlighting the skills and characteristics these dogs were developed for: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. There is also a Miscellaneous Class for breeds working toward full recognition.

Purebred dogs are defined by consistent traits, achieved by mating two purebred dogs of the same breed. While the AKC currently recognizes 205 breeds, many hopefuls await full status, making the dog world an ever-evolving landscape. 

If you're curious about a particular group, be sure to explore our in-depth pages on each AKC dog group for more details about their history, purpose, and standout characteristics.

There are more than 340 dog breeds known around the world, and kennel clubs in different countries may have their own breed classifications and recognition systems.

Quick Guide to the AKC Dog Groups

Sporting Group: Energetic and alert, these dogs were developed to help hunters locate, flush or retrieve game. Explore the Sporting Group to learn about the breeds, their original jobs and what they're like as companions. Learn more about the Sporting Group ➔

Hound Group: Built for tracking and chasing, hounds rely on scent or sight to follow trails. Breeds such as the Bloodhound and Afghan Hound showcase incredible endurance. Discover the Hound Group ➔

Working Group: Strong and reliable, these breeds excel at guarding, pulling, and rescuing. The Doberman Pinscher and Alaskan Malamute are just two stars of this group. Explore the Working Group ➔

Terrier Group: These scrappy, determined breeds were created to hunt vermin. The West Highland White Terrier and Airedale Terrier are lively examples. Meet the Terrier Group ➔

Toy Group: Small but mighty in spirit, Toy Group dogs like the Pekingese and Poodle were bred mainly for companionship. See the Toy Group ➔

Non-Sporting Group: A diverse group with no single unifying trait, featuring breeds like the Chow Chow and Boston Terrier. Check out the Non-Sporting Group ➔

Herding Group: Intelligent and agile, herding breeds like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Shetland Sheepdog excel at moving livestock—and love staying busy. Read about the Herding Group ➔

Miscellaneous Class: This is the AKC’s transitional group for breeds working toward full recognition.  Find out more about the Miscellaneous Class ➔

Dog Sizes: Which AKC Breeds Fit Where?

Small Breed

Medium Size Breed

Large Breed

Smallest Dog Breeds:
These little charmers typically weigh under 15 pounds. Examples include the Chihuahua, Miniature Pinscher, and Toy Fox Terrier—perfect lap dogs with big personalities.

Medium Dog Breeds:
Medium-sized breeds, around 30–60 pounds, strike a great balance of energy and manageability. Popular choices are the Standard Poodle, Brittany, and Whippet.

Largest Dog Breeds:
If you're drawn to gentle giants, look no further than the Great Dane, Mastiff, and Saint Bernard, all of which can tip the scales at 100 pounds or more.

History

The dogs we know today have a fascinating evolutionary history that ultimately connects them to ancient wolf populations.

It’s widely believed that all modern dogs, Canis lupus familiaris, descended from these wolves. Fascinatingly, recent research shows that both dogs and gray wolves share an even more ancient lineage, stemming from a now-extinct wolf species that lived during the Ice Age.

At some point in history, humans and dogs formed a mutually beneficial bond. While debate continues about exactly when this partnership began, recent fossil evidence in Britain shows that dogs lived alongside humans at least 15,000 years ago - and DNA findings suggest the connection may go back even further.

Over time, dogs proved themselves not only as loyal companions, but also as invaluable helpers. From guarding camps to assisting in hunting, dogs became essential to daily life - a role they still play today as beloved members of our families.

There are differing opinions about how dogs became so diversified. But it's not hard to imagine that humans, realizing the dogs' potential, started selectively breeding dogs of certain physical characteristics for different types of tasks.

About The AKC

Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club (AKC) promotes the breeding and sport of purebred dogs, focusing on health, temperament, and function.

Parent Dog Clubs representing individual breeds apply to the AKC for official recognition.  It takes many steps to do this, but if the Club is successful, the AKC subsequently reviews/approves the parent club's standards for that specific breed.

AKC breeds are showcased in dog shows and competitions across the country, highlighting the incredible variety, skill, and beauty of purebred dogs.

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AKC Breeds Can Help You Find Your Best Friend

Thinking of adding a dog to your family? Exploring AKC breeds can help you compare profiles to find a great match.

Each breed has its own unique qualities - whether you're looking for a playful family dog or a calm companion for quiet evenings.

Don't forget to visit our popular dog breeds page to read real-life stories shared by other pet owners, and check out our guide to dogs good with children if you're searching for a kid-friendly breed.

Our small dog breeds list is also a helpful resource for anyone wanting a pint-sized companion.

Did You Know?

FAQ About AKC Breeds

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