How many akc registered breeds are there

Sporting - This group includes dogs that were bred to help hunt birds, such as ducks and geese. Hound - The hound group includes both sighthounds, such as the Afghan hound and Irish wolfhound, and scent hounds, like the bloodhound and the beagle.

Hound breeds were generally bred to track both large and small game. Today, some work to find missing children, locate earthquake victims under rubble, and even sniff for damaging insects in paintings, according to ArtNet.

Terrier - Dogs in this group were initially bred to help control the rodent population. Stout and energetic, smaller terriers would burrow after rats and other rodents, while the larger breeds tended to dig up the nests of their prey.

Many bear the name of the place they originated, such as Cairn or Staffordshire. Herding - Herding breeds were originally bred to help control livestock, such as sheep and cattle. They tend to be agile and intelligent, easy to train, and responsive to human commands. This is why some herding breeds, such as the German shepherd, also make excellent police, military, and search and rescue dogs.

Working - Working breeds are those bred to perform specific jobs that don't involve hunting or herding. This includes sled dogs like the Siberian husky, search and rescue dogs like the St. Bernard, and larger breeds like the Rottweiler, which the Rottweiler Club of the United Kingdom says was bred to guard cattle being driven to market. Non-sporting - This group is for breeds who aren't easily categorized into the other groups.

Non-sporting dogs include the Dalmatian, the poodle, and the chow chow, as well as other dogs bred simply for companionship or to perform roles that don't fall under the other main categories. Toy - The toy group includes all of the tiniest breeds.

Some, such as the Yorkshire terrier terrier group or the toy poodle non-sporting group would be classified elsewhere if not for their diminutive size. Generally, under 10 pounds, these are lapdogs bred primarily for companionship.

Worldwide, the FCI lists officially recognized breeds. These don't include experimental breeds that have yet to achieve official status. Official lists also don't include mixed-breed dogs, not even "designer" crossbreeds like the goldendoodle a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle or the puggle a mix of beagle and pug. As cute and as popular as these hip new pups are, the fact that they're mixed breed dogs with no established standards for health disqualifies them for purebred certification.

As with any wildly popular breed, prospective parents should work to make sure a puppy is healthy and a breeder is ethical before purchasing a dog. And any breed that winds up at your local animal shelter could end up being your forever friend. With eight more breed hopefuls currently listed in the AKC's miscellaneous class and enterprising dog breeders continuing to experiment with creating new varieties, the number of dog breeds is ever-expanding.

But at the end of the day, whether a dog belongs to an officially recognized breed or is a mashup of a dozen different mutts makes no difference to his capacity to love you and make a fantastic pet. Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of furbabies. Select Your Region. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram Youtube. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement.

According to the AKC, the Cirneco resembles a smaller version of the pharaoh hound, the dog always pictured in ancient Egyptian drawings. This breed weighs between 17 and 26 pounds and lives for 12 to 14 years. The Lagotto weighs up to 35 pounds and typically lives between 15 and 17 years. Playful yet hardworking, the Spanish water dog is known for its thick, tightly-curled coat. This rustic breed, which originated on the Iberian Peninsula, loves to herd, hunt and — unsurprisingly — spend time in and around water.

It weighs up to 49 pounds and lives for 12 to 14 years. Arguably an even sweeter version of the Australian shepherd, the miniature American shepherd was officially registered in It weighs 20 to 40 pounds and lives for up to 13 years.

The Picard weighs between 50 and 70 pounds and lives for 12 to 13 years. The low-maintenance Bergamasco sheepdog and its one-of-a-kind coat was added to the herding group in This breed has been associated with the Alpine town of Bergamo, near Milan, for many centuries.

It weighs up to 84 pounds and typically lives for 13 to 15 years. Its coat of corkscrew curls ensures that it stands out in the pack — and makes it an ideal cuddle buddy. The Pumi weighs up to 29 pounds and usually lives for 12 to 13 years. Registered in the AKC hound group in , the graceful Sloughi is known for its long legs, which give it great speed and agility.

It was originally bred to hunt animals in Northern Africa, but these days, it is appreciated as a gentle, loving, loyal pet. The Sloughi weighs up to 50 pounds and typically lives for 10 to 15 years. The energetic, curious American hairless terrier was registered in and made history as the first official hairless breed to have originated in the U.

Rumor has it the first of the breed was born from a litter of rat terriers in Louisiana. The hairless terrier weighs between 12 and 16 pounds and lives for up to 16 years. This Dutch breed is alert, diligent and friendly, and has a super-silky, extra-cuddly coat of fur. The Kooikerhondje weighs 20 to 30 pounds and lives for up to 15 years. Originally bred as a guard dog, the Azawakh was registered in the AKC hound group in The Azawakh weighs between 35 and 55 pounds and lives up to 15 years.

Easily identifiable by its short, entirely white coat, the Dogo was bred to find, chase and catch dangerous game in its native Argentina.

As always, we encourage people to do their research to find the best breed for their lifestyle when looking to add a dog to their home. Actions Facebook Tweet Email. Two new dog breeds usher in By: Justin Boggs. The Barbet is a medium-sized water dog, and will join the sporting group. Copyright Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved.