Dog Breeds

Choosing The Right Dog For You And Your Family

 All pure bred dogs are classified in 7 or 8 main Breed Groups. The Kennel Club of Britain was founded in 1873, just before the American Kennel Club, in 1884. The Kennel Club has seven categories, while the American Kennel Club has eight, the additional group being the Miscellaneous Group.

The seven breed groups are basically the same in both countries, although the names are different in some cases. The breed groups are as follows, with the American name first. Where there is a difference, the British name follows, in brackets.

Hounds
Sporting Dogs  (Gundogs) 
Working Dogs
Terriers
Herding
Non Sporting (Utility)
Toy Dogs 

If you are in doubt about the right breed of dog to suit your home and family situation, then Mike Matthews' book, Choosing the Best Dog for your Family and Lifestyle, will give you all the guidance you need. 

Fédération Cynologique Internationale FCI  -  World Canine Federation), is an international Kennel Club, originally formed in 1911, by Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands and based in Belgium. FCI has 10 breed groups, similar to those above but with some different names. Some of the groups have been sub-divided, to make additional breed groups. For example, Hounds have been split into Scenthounds and Sighthounds.