Dog Breeds: A Plain-English Guide to All 7 AKC Groups
There are 205 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as of 2026. The AKC sorts them into 7 groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. Each group is based on the job the dogs were first bred to do. So if you know a dog's group, you know a lot about its energy and drive. A Border Collie was bred to herd sheep all day. A Pug was bred to sit on a lap. But breed is only part of the story. A large 2022 study found that breed explains only about 9% of how one dog acts. This guide walks through all 7 dog breed groups in plain English, with examples, a quick table, and what breed can and can't tell you.
In this article
- How many dog breeds are there?
- The 7 dog breed groups at a glance
- Sporting group
- Hound group
- Working group
- Terrier group
- Toy group
- Non-Sporting group
- Herding group
- Does breed predict behavior?
- What about mixed breeds?
- FAQ
How many dog breeds are there?
The AKC recognizes 205 breeds. Three joined the list on January 1, 2026: the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier. The AKC shares more about these new breeds here.
Other groups count more. Worldwide, there are over 340 breeds. Kennel clubs in other countries use their own lists and their own group names. So when you see "there are 400 dog breeds" online, it's not wrong. It just uses a different list.
What are the 7 dog breed groups?
Here is a quick look at all 7 AKC groups. Use it as a cheat sheet before you dig into each one below.
| Group | First bred to | Energy | Well-known breeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sporting | Find and fetch birds for hunters | High | Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel |
| Hound | Track game by scent or by sight | Medium to high | Beagle, Dachshund, Greyhound |
| Working | Guard, pull carts and sleds, rescue | Medium to high | Siberian Husky, Boxer, Bernese Mountain Dog |
| Terrier | Hunt rats and other small pests | High | Miniature Schnauzer, Cairn Terrier, Bull Terrier |
| Toy | Be a small, close friend | Low to medium | Chihuahua, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pug |
| Non-Sporting | Many jobs (a mixed group) | Varies | French Bulldog, Poodle, Dalmatian |
| Herding | Move sheep and cattle | Very high | German Shepherd, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd |
What are sporting dog breeds like?
Sporting dogs were bred to work with hunters. Retrievers bring back birds. Pointers freeze and point at them. Spaniels flush them out of brush. These dogs love people and love to work, so they need a lot of exercise.
The Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever are both in this group. They ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the AKC's 2025 popularity list. A bored sporting dog will find its own fun, and you may not like its choices. Plan on daily runs, swims or games of fetch.
What makes a dog a hound?
Hounds hunt. There are two kinds:
Scent hounds
These dogs follow their nose. The Beagle and Basset Hound fit here. They can be loud, and they may follow a smell right out of an open gate. A good fence and a leash matter.
Sight hounds
These dogs spot prey and run it down. Greyhounds and Whippets are built for speed. Many are calm couch dogs at home, but they can bolt after a squirrel.
The Dachshund is a hound too. It was bred to dig into badger dens. In 2025 it broke into the AKC top 5 for the first time.
What are working dog breeds?
Working dogs were bred for big, useful jobs. They guarded farms, pulled sleds and carts, and helped rescue people. Think of the Siberian Husky, Rottweiler, Boxer, Great Dane and Bernese Mountain Dog.
Most are large and strong. They tend to be smart and loyal. They also need clear, kind training from day one, since a 100-pound dog that pulls on the leash is a real problem. Many need a job of some kind, even if it's just a long hike or a puzzle toy.
Why are terriers so feisty?
Terriers were bred to chase rats, foxes and other pests, often into holes in the ground. That job took grit. So terriers tend to be bold, fast and stubborn. Many love to dig, and most will chase small animals.
The group runs from the tiny Norfolk Terrier to the tall Airedale. If you like a dog with big personality, a terrier may be your match. Just expect to work on recall and to guard your garden beds.
What are toy dog breeds best for?
Toy breeds were bred mainly to be close friends to people. Most weigh under 15 pounds. The Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, Pug and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are all toy breeds.
Small does not mean easy. Many toy dogs are smart, alert and quick to bark. Their small bodies also need care. Stairs, rough play and cold weather can be hard on them. Toy breeds often live longer than big dogs, as our guide to how long dogs live by size and breed explains.
What does non-sporting mean?
This is the "everything else" group. The dogs here don't share one job. The French Bulldog was bred as a companion. The Dalmatian ran next to horse-drawn carriages. The Poodle started as a water dog. The Chow Chow guarded homes in China.
Because the group is so mixed, there's no single "non-sporting" personality. Look at each breed on its own. The French Bulldog was the No. 1 breed in America in 2025, the fourth year in a row at the top.
What are herding dog breeds like?
Herding dogs were bred to move sheep and cattle. They are some of the smartest and most driven dogs there are. The Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd and Pembroke Welsh Corgi are all herders.
Herders like to be busy. Without a job, some will try to "herd" kids, cats or cars by circling and nipping at heels. Training games, dog sports and long walks help a lot. A herding dog with enough to do is a focused, loving partner.
A Border Collie pup peeks over the rim of this ceramic mug. Your coffee, watched closely.
We have Peeking mugs for dozens of other breeds too, from Beagles to Bernese. Find your breed in the Peeking collection.
Does a dog's breed predict its behavior?
Only a little. In 2022, a team led by Kathleen Morrill and Elinor Karlsson studied over 18,000 dogs. They also tested the DNA of 2,155 dogs. They found that breed explains only about 9% of the differences in how one dog behaves. You can read the study in Science.
Some traits did lean toward certain breeds. Herding dogs, for example, tended to be easier to train. But each dog is still its own dog. A calm Husky or a shy Lab is not rare. That's why meeting the dog in front of you matters more than its label. It's also why breed myths can hurt dogs, as we cover in 7 pit bull myths debunked.
| What breed can hint at | What breed can't tell you |
|---|---|
| Adult size and weight range | If this dog will be cuddly or shy |
| Coat type and how much grooming it needs | If this dog will get along with your cat |
| Common health issues to watch for | How easy this dog will be to train |
| General drive (to chase, herd, dig or sniff) | If this dog will be good with kids |
What about mixed-breed dogs?
Many of the dogs in shelters and rescues are mixed breeds. A mix can carry traits from several groups at once. A Lab and Border Collie mix may love to fetch and to herd. Since breed explains so little of behavior, a mixed-breed dog is no more of a gamble than a purebred.
If you have your heart set on one breed, you still have options. Many breeds have their own rescue groups run by people who know that breed well. Ask a local shelter or rescue to point you to one. You can also meet some of the rescues we work with on our Nonprofit Partners page. Nonprofit partners earn a referral commission on sales made through their unique shopping link.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 7 main types of dogs?
The AKC's 7 groups are Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. Each group is based on the job the dogs were first bred to do.
What is the most popular dog breed in the U.S.?
The French Bulldog. It was No. 1 on the AKC's 2025 list for the fourth year in a row. The Labrador Retriever was No. 2 and the Golden Retriever was No. 3.
How many dog breeds does the AKC recognize?
205, as of January 1, 2026. That count went up by three when the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, Basset Fauve de Bretagne and Teddy Roosevelt Terrier were added.
Which dog breed group is best for a first-time owner?
No group is best for everyone. Many first-time owners do well with a calm adult dog of any breed or mix, since you can see its personality up front. Think about your space, your free time and how much exercise you can give.
Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebreds?
It depends on the dog. Some purebreds have higher risk for certain health problems that run in their breed. Mixed breeds can still get those problems too. A vet checkup tells you more than a label does.
Purebred, mixed or a total mystery, it doesn't matter. Dogs, period.
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