All throughout history specific dog breeds all served a certain purpose and function. They worked on farms, as gun dogs, water dogs and so on. The Kennel Club, the oldest recognised kennel club in the world, categorises breeds of dogs into 7 distinct groups, known as The Kennel Club Groups. As of 2011, The Kennel Club recognises 211 different breeds of dog.
Whilst the breeds listed in each group may appear to be varied with very little in common, they are characterised together because they were all bred for the same specific purpose.
Filter to find your perfect match.
Hunting dog, Easy to care for, Active, Healthy...
Big, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Hunting dog, Active, Child friendly, Healthy...
Big, Long hair
Lively, Easy to care for, Active, Easy to train...
Small, Short hair, White, Orange / Mahagoni red, Black
Intelligent, Suitable as guard dog, Active, No tendency to bite
Big, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Easy to care for, Easy to train, Child friendly, Apartment dog...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, Cream...
Filter to find your perfect match.
Hunting dog, Tracking dog, Child friendly, Suitable as guard dog...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Cream, White...
Easy to train, Child friendly, Apartment dog, Healthy...
Small, Hairless / Hypoallergenic, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Brown / Chocolate brown...
Suitable as guard dog, Active, No tendency to bite
Medium, Long hair, Brown / Chocolate brown
Child friendly, Suitable as guard dog, Easy to train, Healthy...
Big, Short hair, Black
Filter to find your perfect match.
Lively, Active, Easy to train, Healthy...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Gain little weight, No tendency to bite, No tendency to bark, No tendency to run away...
Intelligent, Playful, Active, Easy to train...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red
Intelligent, Hunting dog, Copes with heat, Tracking dog...
Medium, Short hair, White, Black
Active, No tendency to bark
Medium, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, White...
Hunting dog, Child friendly, Suitable as guard dog, Playful...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Cream...
Playful, Cat friendly, Child friendly, Apartment dog...
Medium, Short hair, Cream, White, Fawn...
Tendency to drool, Hunting dog, Tracking dog, Easy to train...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, White
Easy to train, Child friendly, Playful, Cat friendly...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown
Apartment dog, Healthy, Intelligent, Suitable as guard dog...
Small, Long hair, Brown / Chocolate brown
Healthy, Intelligent, Suitable as guard dog, Playful...
Big, Short hair, Black, Blue / Silver, Fawn
Child friendly, Cat friendly, Easy to care for, No tendency to bite...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, Cream...
Child friendly, Suitable as family dog, Copes with cold, Assitance dog...
Big, Long hair, Black
Child friendly, Apartment dog, Suitable as first dog, Healthy...
Small, Long hair, White
Child friendly, Healthy, Intelligent, Playful...
Big, Short hair, Black
Easy to train, Apartment dog, Suitable as first dog, Playful...
Extra small, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Intelligent, Active, Easy to train, Child friendly...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Child friendly, Healthy, Intelligent, Playful...
Small, Short hair, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver, Brown / Chocolate brown...
Suitable as first dog, Easy to train, Child friendly, Apartment dog...
Small, Short hair, Black, White
Lively, Apartment dog, Healthy, Intelligent...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Brown / Chocolate brown...
Child friendly, Intelligent, Suitable as guard dog, Playful...
Extra big, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Healthy, Easy to care for, Intelligent, Suitable as family dog...
Medium, Short hair, Beige, Sand, Orange / Mahagoni red...
Child friendly, Apartment dog, Suitable as first dog, Easy to train...
Small, Long hair, Black, White
Easy to train, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Healthy...
Small, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Apartment dog, Easy to train, Suitable as first dog, Intelligent...
Extra small, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Suitable as guard dog, Hunting dog, Copes with cold, Tendency to drool...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Hunting dog, Child friendly, Healthy, Intelligent...
Medium, Short hair, Fawn, Orange / Mahagoni red, White...
Suitable as family dog, Child friendly, Apartment dog, Suitable as first dog...
Medium, Short hair, Orange / Mahagoni red, Brown / Chocolate brown, Cream...
Intelligent, Suitable as guard dog, Easy to care for, Tracking dog...
Big, Short hair, Blue / Silver, Sand
Suitable as family dog, Tracking dog, Apartment dog, Suitable as guard dog...
Small, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Sand
Suitable as family dog, Active, Easy to train, Child friendly...
Big, Short hair, White
Easy to train, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Healthy...
Small, Short hair, White, Fawn, Black...
Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Healthy, Cat friendly...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Apartment dog, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Playful...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Suitable as family dog, Hunting dog, Tracking dog, Child friendly...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Suitable as guard dog, Copes with cold, Tracking dog, Obedient...
Medium, Long hair, Black, White, Fawn
Child friendly, Suitable as family dog, Easy to care for, No tendency to bite...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Apartment dog, Suitable as first dog, Easy to train, Child friendly...
Small, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, White...
Easy to train, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Playful...
Medium, Short hair, Fawn, Sand
Healthy, Intelligent, Suitable as guard dog, Active...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Easy to train, Child friendly, Intelligent, Suitable as guard dog...
Big, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver
Intelligent, Child friendly, Healthy, Playful...
Big, Short hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown
Suitable as guard dog, Calm
Extra big, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Brown / Chocolate brown...
Suitable as guard dog, Child friendly, Healthy, Cat friendly...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, White
Easy to train, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Intelligent...
Medium, Long hair, Cream, White, Sand
Easy to train, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Cat friendly...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Child friendly, Suitable as guard dog, Playful, Easy to train...
Big, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, White
Gain little weight, No tendency to bite, No tendency to bark, No tendency to run away...
Short hair, Orange / Mahagoni red, Fawn
Apartment dog, Suitable as first dog, Suitable as family dog, Easy to train...
Small, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Easy to train, Suitable as guard dog, Suitable as family dog, Child friendly...
Big, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Sand
Gain little weight, No tendency to bite, No tendency to bark, No tendency to run away...
Short hair, Black, Sand, Blue / Silver
Suitable as family dog, Tracking dog, Active, Child friendly...
Small, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, White
Easy to train, Child friendly, Healthy, Intelligent...
Medium, Long hair, Blue / Silver
Gain little weight, No tendency to bite, No tendency to bark, No tendency to run away...
Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Beige, Fawn...
Suitable as first dog, Playful, Easy to train, Child friendly...
Medium, Short hair, White
Easy to train, Easy to care for, Active
Medium, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Easy to train, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Intelligent...
Big, Short hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, Cream...
Suitable as guard dog, Tracking dog, Easy to train, Lively...
Short hair, Beige
Tracking dog, Child friendly, Healthy, Intelligent...
Long hair, Brown / Chocolate brown, White, Sand
Gain little weight, No tendency to bite, No tendency to bark, No tendency to run away...
Short hair, Black, Sand, Orange / Mahagoni red, Brown / Chocolate brown...
Hunting dog, Tracking dog, Easy to train, Child friendly...
Big, Long hair, Black, White
Suitable as guard dog, Suitable as family dog, Assitance dog, Obedient...
Extra big, Long hair, Orange / Mahagoni red, Fawn, Sand
Suitable as guard dog, Lively, Copes with heat, Copes with cold...
Short hair, Sand, Fawn
Apartment dog, Suitable as first dog, Easy to train, Child friendly...
Extra small, Long hair, White
Intelligent, Suitable as family dog, Easy to train, Child friendly...
Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver, Brown / Chocolate brown...
Easy to train, Suitable as first dog, Intelligent, Suitable as family dog...
Small, Long hair, Black, White, Fawn...
Gain little weight, No tendency to bite, No tendency to bark, No tendency to run away...
Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Brown / Chocolate brown, Blue / Silver
Hunting dog, Lively, Tracking dog, Does not moult...
Small, Short hair, Orange / Mahagoni red, Brown / Chocolate brown
Apartment dog, Intelligent, Suitable as family dog, Active...
Small, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Suitable as first dog, Suitable as family dog, Easy to train, Lively...
Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver, White...
Intelligent, Suitable as guard dog, Playful, Obedient...
Small, Long hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, White
Child friendly, Apartment dog, Playful, Cat friendly...
Small, Long hair, Black, White, Brown / Chocolate brown...
Active, Easy to train, Child friendly, Intelligent...
Big, Long hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, Orange / Mahagoni red...
Easy to train, Child friendly, Copes with cold, Intelligent...
Extra big, Long hair, Black, Blue / Silver, Brown / Chocolate brown
Healthy, Hunting dog, Active, Child friendly...
Small, Short hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, Fawn...
Active, Healthy, Intelligent, Suitable as guard dog...
Big, Short hair, Orange / Mahagoni red
Healthy, Hunting dog, Copes with heat, Active...
Medium, Short hair, White, Fawn
Apartment dog, Easy to care for, Easy to train, Suitable as first dog...
Extra small, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Easy to train, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Intelligent...
Small, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Apartment dog, Suitable as first dog, Easy to train, Child friendly...
Small, Short hair, Black, Blue / Silver, Brown / Chocolate brown...
Healthy, Suitable as guard dog, Easy to train, Child friendly...
Medium, Long hair, Black, White, Fawn
Apartment dog, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Playful...
Small, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Brown / Chocolate brown...
Intelligent, Suitable as guard dog, Easy to train, Child friendly...
Big, Short hair, Black
Easy to train, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Intelligent...
Big, Long hair, Blue / Silver, White, Sand
Gain little weight, No tendency to bite, No tendency to bark, No tendency to run away...
Short hair, Black, White
Intelligent, Active, No tendency to bark
Big, Short hair, Blue / Silver, Brown / Chocolate brown, Cream...
Child friendly, Suitable as guard dog, Playful, Active...
Small, Short hair, Black
Playful, Suitable as family dog, Obedient, Easy to train...
Hairless / Hypoallergenic, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, White, Fawn
Suitable as guard dog, Apartment dog, No tendency to run away, Calm
Medium, Short hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, Cream...
Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Intelligent, Playful...
Medium, Hairless / Hypoallergenic, Black, White, Brown / Chocolate brown
Easy to train, Intelligent, Playful, Cat friendly...
Small, Long hair, White, Sand, Brown / Chocolate brown...
Apartment dog, Playful, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog...
Small, Long hair, Black, Cream, White...
Healthy, Child friendly, Intelligent, Suitable as guard dog...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, White...
Copes with cold, Active, Child friendly, Healthy...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Playful, Obedient, Easy to train, Apartment dog...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Lively, Apartment dog, Suitable as guard dog, Active...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Blue / Silver, Cream...
Healthy, Intelligent, Active
Medium, Short hair, Brown / Chocolate brown, White, Fawn
Easy to train, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Playful...
Big, Short hair, Brown / Chocolate brown, White, Sand
Intelligent, Easy to train, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, White
Suitable as guard dog, Cat friendly, Easy to train, Intelligent...
Big, Long hair, Orange / Mahagoni red, White
Child friendly, Suitable as family dog, Hunting dog, Easy to train...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, White
Child friendly, Healthy, Playful, Suitable as family dog...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Gain little weight, No tendency to bite, No tendency to bark, No tendency to run away...
Long hair, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, White, Fawn
Easy to train, Intelligent, Suitable as first dog, Healthy...
Medium, Long hair, Black, Beige, Sand...
Apartment dog, Assitance dog, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog...
Small, Long hair, White
Gain little weight, No tendency to bite, No tendency to bark, No tendency to run away...
Short hair, Orange / Mahagoni red, Sand
Easy to train, Child friendly, Suitable as first dog, Healthy...
Medium, Short hair, Black, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver...
Easy to train, Child friendly, Healthy, Intelligent...
Medium, Long hair, Brown / Chocolate brown, Orange / Mahagoni red, White...
Gain little weight, No tendency to bite, No tendency to bark, No tendency to run away...
Short hair, White, Black, Brown / Chocolate brown, Sand
Apartment dog, Playful, Easy to care for, Active...
Extra small, Long hair, Orange / Mahagoni red, Blue / Silver
The Goldendoodle isn't a breed, but a pairing between Golden Retrievers and Medium or Standard Poodles. Marketed as a low-maintenance dog for allergy sufferers, this hybrid is enjoying increasing popularity amongst dog lovers, similar to the Labradoodle.
The Labradoodle is a pioneer amongst designer dogs. Whilst there are serious endeavours in Australia to establish this Poodle and Labrador Retriever hybrid as a stand-alone breed, most specimens found in Europe aren't bred according to a standard.
Originating from northern Russia, the Laika has been kept by various indigenous peoples as a hunting and sled dog for millennia. Boasting a wild appearance and a brave, lively spirit, Laikas are truly extraordinary canines.
The Yakutskaya Laika, also known as the Yakutian Laika or Kolyma-Indigirka Laika, is an ancient sled dog breed from the Russian region of Yakutia. It is considered one of the progenitors of the Siberian Husky, which was developed using Yakutskaya Laikas imported to Alaska during its breeding development.
The Russian-European Laika is a high-spirited hunting Spitz from the forest regions of European Russia. Brave and vocal, it will track and bark at both game such as elk and bears and smaller prey like squirrels and raccoons. When given ample stimulation, it becomes a friendly, child-loving companion within the family.
The gundog is a type of hunting dog used mainly to hunt birds in a variety of locations and were bred to help hunters find and retrieve game. Gundogs can be separated into three categories, depending on the dog’s hunting style. Pointing breeds were used to direct a hunter to their prey. The dogs would either ‘point’ with their noses or ‘set’ – freeze in place, to indicate to their owners that hunted game was nearby. And so, the names ‘Pointer’ and ‘Setter’ were used! Flushing dogs were trained to flush out birds and other animals from their hiding spots, making it easier for their owners to shoot or capture them. Many spaniels, like the Cocker Spaniel and Springer Spaniel are very popular flushing dogs. It’s easy to guess what Retrieving dogs do! Retrievers were trained to collect prey and return it without damage to their owners. Types of retrievers are famous for having ‘soft mouths’ because of this!
Hounds are very similar to gundogs but were actually the first hunting dogs. Hounds have a powerful sense of smell, which help them sniff out and track down whatever they are hunting. Some breeds of hound are also characterised by their speed. There are three distinct types of hound, with several different breeds within each subgroup. Sighthounds or gazehounds are dogs that use their fast speed for hunting and keep their prey in sight, whilst chasing them down. Some of the most popular breeds of sighthound are Greyhounds, Salukis and Irish Wolfhounds. Sighthounds are predominantly used in hunting foxes, deer and hares.
Scenthounds, as their name suggests, have some of the most sensitive noses amongst dog breeds. Unlike sighthounds, they are not known for their speed but they make up for it in stamina. Scenthounds, such as the Beagle, Foxhound and Basset Hound, are well-known for using their amazing noses to sniff out prey or even lost people. Many scenthounds even have jobs as sniffer dogs!
The last group of hounds are difficult to classify because they use both their sense of sight and smell when tracking.
Pastoral dogs were originally kept for working with cattle, sheep and other livestock, and were used to help herd and manage them. Because these dogs were hard-working and reliable they were ideally suited for a life of intensive work. Unsurprisingly, a lot of dogs in this breed group are called Shepherds or Sheepdogs, for example German Shepherds and Old English Sheepdogs! However not every dog in the pastoral breed group are large breeds, with more compact breeds like the Corgi, Lancashire Heeler and Shelties also being traditional dogs for herding!
This group of breeds is easy to identify! The terrier is typically a small breed that is a bit of a live spark! Terriers were originally kept to hunt small animals, such as mice, rats, rabbits and even weasels. Some were even bred to be small enough to fit down holes in order to catch their prey or scare them out. Just like pastoral breeds, some terriers are still kept as working dogs today and are used to keep their homes free from any vermin.
These dogs are not similar breeds, but instead they serve as companions tot their owners. Toy breeds are usually the very smallest dogs and some were originally ancient lap dog breeds or smaller versions of hunting dogs or terriers. These minute breeds are full of character and range from the fluffy Bichon Frise, to the elegant Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the most classic of the toy breeds, the adorable Chihuahua!
There are as many types of work for dogs as there are types of dogs. Lap dogs may work as therapy dogs, herding dogs may work livestock, and guard dogs may work at defence of people or property. Most dogs today are kept as pets rather than for any particular work. This group is for dog’s that are still used as working dogs, but in areas other than hunting or herding. Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes work as sled dogs, which is why they are bursting with energy and love nothing more than a good run! Other muscular or large dogs, like the Dobermann, Mastiff or Rottweiler still work as popular guard dogs today. And, of course, the iconic St. Bernard is famous for alpine rescues!
Dogs in the utility group tend to not fit into other group’s definitions. For example, the Shih Tzu would be perfectly suited in the Toy Group, but it is considered too large! Other dogs are placed in this group because they are no longer used for what they were originally bred for. Dalmatians, with their long legs and speed, were meant to run alongside horse-drawn coaches! Bulldog’s, as their name suggests, were originally bred for bull baiting and Shar Pei’s were used as fighting dogs. Thankfully these dogs are no longer used for what they were initially bred for, so they all happily sit together in the Utility Group!
