A breed group is a categorization of related breeds of animal by an overseer organization, used to organize the showing of animals. In dogs, kennel clubs define the Breed Groups and decide which dog breeds are to be included in each breed group. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale breed groups are used to organize dogs for international competition. Breed groups often have the names of, and are loosely based on, ancestral dog types of modern dog breeds.
Recognized breed groups
International
The mission of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale is to enable dogs in its 84 member countries to compete together by establishing common nomenclature and ensuring that pedigrees are mutually recognized in all the member countries. To achieve this goal internationally, dog breeds are organized in ten groups, each with subsections according to breed type and origin.
- Group 1 - Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)
- Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid Breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
- Section 1: Pinscher and Schnauzer type
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- Section 3: Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
- Group 3 Terriers
- Section 1: Large and medium-sized Terriers
- Section 2: Small-sized Terriers
- Section 3: Bull type Terriers
- Section 4: Toy Terriers
- Group 4 Dachshunds
- Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types
- Section 1: Nordic Sledge Dogs
- Section 2: Nordic Hunting Dogs
- Section 3: Nordic Watchdogs and Herders
- Section 4: European Spitz
- Section 5: Asian Spitz and related breeds
- Section 6: Primitive type
- Section 7: Primitive type - Hunting Dogs
- Section 8: Primitive type Hunting Dogs with a ridge on the back
- Group 6 Scenthounds and Related Breeds
- Section 1: Scenthounds
- Section 2: Leash (scent) Hounds
- Section 3: Related breeds (Dalmatian and Rhodesian Ridgeback)
- Group 7 Pointing Dogs
- Section 1: Continental Pointing Dogs
- Section 2: British and Irish Pointers and Setters
- Group 8 Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs
- Section 1: Retrievers
- Section 2: Flushing Dogs
- Section 3: Water Dogs
- Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs
- Section 1: Bichons and related breeds
- Section 2: Poodle
- Section 3: Small Belgian Dogs
- Section 4: Hairless Dogs
- Section 5: Tibetan breeds
- Section 6: Chihuahueñ o
- Section 7: English Toy Spaniels
- Section 8: Japan Chin and Pekingese
- Section 9: Continental Toy Spaniel
- Section 10: Kromfohrländer
- Section 11: Small Molossian type Dogs
- Group 10 Sighthounds
- Section 1: Long-haired or fringed Sighthounds
- Section 2: Rough-haired Sighthounds
- Section 3: Short-haired Sighthounds
The Kennel Club
The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom is the original and oldest kennel club; it is not a member of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. For The Kennel Club, dogs are placed in the following groups:
- Gundog Group
- Hound Group
- Pastoral Group
- Terrier Group
- Toy Group
- Working Group
- Utility Group
Working refers to dogs that work directly for people, such as police dogs, search and rescue dogs, etc. It does not imply that other types of dogs do not work. Dogs that work with livestock are in the Pastoral Group.
Australia and New Zealand
The Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand Kennel Club recognize similar groups to The Kennel Club.
Australian National Kennel Council recognized Breed Groups:
- Group 1 (Toys)
- Group 2 (Terriers)
- Group 3 (Gundogs)
- Group 4 (Hounds)
- Group 5 (Working Dogs)
- Group 6 (Utility)
- Group 7 (Non Sporting)
New Zealand Kennel Club recognized Breed Groups:
- Gundogs
- Hound Group
- Non Sporting Group
- Toy Group
- Terrier Group
- Working Group
- Utility Group
North America
The Canadian Kennel Club and the two major kennel clubs in the United States have similar groups, although they may not include the same dogs in the same groupings. Canadian Kennel Club recognized Breed Groups:
- Group 1, Sporting Dogs
- Group 2, Hounds
- Group 3, Working Dogs
- Group 4, Terriers
- Group 5, Toys
- Group 6, Non-Sporting
- Group 7, Herding
American Kennel Club recognized breed groups:
- Herding Group
- Hound Group
- Non-Sporting Group
- Sporting Group
- Terrier Group
- Toy Group
- Working Group
United Kennel Club (US) recognized breed groups:
- Companion Dog Group
- Guardian Dog Group
- Gun Dog Group
- Herding Dog Group
- Northern Breed Group
- Scenthound Group
- Sighthound & Pariah Group
- Terrier Group
Other
For most other countries, the major national kennel club for each respective country will organize breeds into breed groups. The naming and organization of those breed groups can vary significantly from country to country. In addition, some rare new breeds or newly documented traditional breeds could be awaiting approval by a given kennel club and might not yet be assigned to a particular breed group.
In addition to the major registries, a nearly infinite number of other entities, such as sporting clubs, breed clubs, minor kennel clubs, Internet-based breed registries, and dog registration businesses, will often create their own respective breed groups into which to organize individual breeds.
See also
- Dog type
- Dog breed
- Conformation show
- General Specials
References
External links
- Fédération Cynologique Internationale breeds nomenclature, lists 339 dog breeds in 78 groups
- Breed group (dog) at DMOZ
