Dog Breed Classifications

Dogs are one of the first domesticated animals. Many centuries ago, they were used only as hunters, watchmen and cattle drivers. Over time, dogs began to start not only for official purposes, but also as pets. There was a need to classify breeds with a view to their further development. Now the rocks are divided into groups depending on how they are used.

At the moment, there is no single classification, since all cynological organizations are based on the territorial diversity of breeds. Nevertheless, in all cynological communities, breeds are divided into groups, the number of such groups varies from 5 to 10, depending on the rules in the cynological federation.

Dog Breed Classifications

Currently, there are several different breed classifications. There are three major cynological organizations that maintain their breed registries and register purebred dogs.

• International Cynological Federation (Fédération Cynologique International). Global international cynological community. The FCI consists of cynological organizations from 98 countries, including the RKF – Russian Cynological Federation. Great Britain, the USA and Canada are not included in the IFF.

The ICF divides dogs into 10 groups, which include 349 breeds (7 of them are recognized only conditionally).

1. Shepherd and Cattle Dogs (this does not include Swiss Cattle Dogs).

2. Pinschers and Schnauzers, Molossians, Swiss mountain and cattle dogs.

3. Terriers.

4. Dachshunds.

5. Spitz and primitive breeds.

6. Hounds and related breeds.

7. Pointing dogs.

8. Retrievers, spaniels and water dogs.

9. Decorative dogs and companion dogs.

10. Greyhounds.

• English kennel club (The Kennel Club). The largest kennel club in the UK. Founded in 1873 and is the oldest in the world. The Kennel Club divides dogs into 7 groups, which include 218 breeds. More than sixty of them are bred in the UK.

1. Hunting (hounds, greyhounds) breeds.

2. Gun breeds.

3. Terriers.

4. Useful breeds.

5. Service breeds.

6. Indoor and decorative breeds.

7. Shepherd breeds.

• American Kennel Club. Canine organization in the USA. The AKC classification includes 7 groups, which include 192 breeds.

1. Hunting girlfriends.

2. Hunting.

3. Service.

4. Terriers.

5. Room-decorative.

6. Reluctant.

7. Shepherds.

In addition to recognized breeds included in the relevant cynological registers, there are also unrecognized ones. Some of them are only considered by clubs, and some breeds do not have the necessary number of features so that cynologists can make them into a separate species. Such dogs are usually recognized by cynologists of the country where the breed was bred, and can take part in exhibitions with a note that they are not classified.

When choosing a dog breed, be sure to consider the characteristics of its character specified in the standards, as well as the methods of education and your living conditions.