American Kennel Club (AKC) classifications
Currently, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 150 separate breeds of dogs. Breeds are categorized by the AKC into seven groups, mainly based upon the original purpose: sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, herding, and a separate interim classification of Miscellaneous. Have a look at the AKC groups and the breeds that fall within each:
| AKC Group | Breeds |
|---|---|
| Sporting group | American Water Spaniel, Brittany, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon |
| Hound group | Afghan Hound, American Foxhound, Basenji, Basset Hound, Beagle, Black and Tan Coonhound, Bloodhound, Borzoi, Dachshund, English Foxhound, Greyhound, Harrier, Ibizan Hound, Irish Wolfhound, Norwegian Elkhound, Otterhound, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Pharoh Hound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Saluki, Scottish Deerhound, Whippet |
| Working group | Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvaz, Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer |
| Terrier group | Airedale Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Border Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Irish Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Skye Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier |
| Toy group | Affenpinscher, Brussels Griffon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, English Toy Spaniel, Havanese, Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Toy Poodle, Pug, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Toy Manchester Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier |
| Non-Sporting group | American Eskimo Dog, Bichons Frise, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, Dalmatian, Finnish Spitz, French Bulldog, Keeshond, Lhasa Apso, Lowchen, Poodle, Schipperke, Shiba Inu, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier |
| Herding group | Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Bouviers des Flandres, Briard, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Collie, German Shepherd Dog, Old English Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Puli, Shetland Sheepdog |
| Miscellaneous | Beauceron, Black Russian Terrier, German Pinscher , Glen of Imal Terrier, Neopolitan Mastiff, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Plotthound, Redbone Coonhound, Toy Fox Terrier |
Checklist for responsible dog breeders
Being a responsible dog breeder means more than just loving dogs. Dog breeding is a huge responsibility made up of hard work and occasional setbacks and disappointments. So before you decide to become a dog breeder or find one, go through this list of qualities that define a dependable breeder:
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Becomes a member of the national breed club and participates in activities that support the breed: Conformation Shows, Obedience Trials, Agility Competitions, Breed-specific events.
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Follows all breed-club recommendations for hereditary defect testing of all breeding stock.
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Does not release any dog, puppy or adult, to a new home before it is sexually altered, unless the dog is specifically designated as show or breeding stock.
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Does not release any dog, puppy or adult, who has not had an identifying microchip implanted.
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Takes all necessary steps to insure that each and every dog bred is given all the socialization that’s appropriate for the dog’s age.
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Maintains proper housing for the breed with adequate room for exercise.
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Remains vigilant in maintaining clean and sanitary conditions at all times.
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Prepared to make appointments for prospective buyers or those interested in breeding to view the dogs.
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Guarantees in writing the health of all stock sold.
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Available for the lifetime of the dog to answer questions related to dogs sold.
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Will take back any dog sold if the buyer is unable to keep the dog.
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Uses a sales contract in all instances that clearly defines the rights and expectations of both buyer and seller.
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Keeps all registration and veterinary documents relating to the dog available for inspection at the time of the sale.
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Does not permit any dog to go to a home or environment that is not entirely suitable for the breed of dog.
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Completes all inoculations appropriate for the age of the dog being sold.