Dog Breeds
Check out information about dog breeds from around the world with our comprehensive list of canine types.
What is a dog breed?
Dog breeds are a relatively recent invention that classifies an animal by its lineage and physical appearance. Since humans and canines began associating around 30,000 to 40,000 years ago, the bond has influenced dogs’ physical and mental makeups. Eventually, humans discovered that selectively breeding certain dogs could make certain traits more pronounced and lessen or eliminate others.
As time went on, humans bred dogs to accomplish a wide variety of tasks and to be companion animals. Today, there are hundreds of breeds that vary widely in size, shape, color, and temperament.
Types of dogs
Dog pedigrees typically fall within one of three types:
Purebreds
Dogs bred from a particular lineage and conform to breed standards are called purebreds. These are the German Shephards, Labrador Retrievers, and Dachshunds of the world. These dogs are often expensive and an industry has risen around the breeding and sale of purebred dogs. While plenty of legitimate breeders produce healthy animals, there’s a darker side of which potential pet owners should be aware.
If you’re considering a purebred dog, thoroughly investigate the source. Puppy mills exist that breed dogs with no regard for their health or genes. Puppies from these breeders can have physical and mental issues that result in unsuspecting owners spending thousands on vet or trainer bills.
Mixed breeds
Mutts or mongrels are mixed-breed dogs that don’t show the traits of any one breed. They are differentiated from hybrids (which are discussed below) in that there is typically no effort to breed for specific traits in mutts.
Hybrid breeds
Hybridizing dogs isn’t a new concept, but it’s exploded in popularity in recent years. These breeds are created by crossing two purebreds to combine the best traits from both parents. Doodles are currently the most popular hybrid dogs, with Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Cavapoos, and the like having a huge following.
Dog Breed FAQs
How many breeds are there?
It depends on who you ask:
– The largest registry in the United States, the American Kennel Club (AKC), recognizes just 201 breeds.
– America’s second-largest dog registry, the United Kennel Club (UKC), recognizes over 376 breeds.
– The largest international registry, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), lists 360 breeds.
However, here at DogTime, we recognize them all.
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