7 Major Types of Dog Groups Explained

Working Dogs

All types of dogs in this dog group were originally bred to assist mankind in some capacity.

They were used to perform tasks like pulling sleds and carts, guarding livestock and homes, and even protecting the families.

These working dog breeds have been proven to be invaluable to humans throughout the ages.

Working dog group breeds were bred to be hunters, guard dogs, or even “Draft Dogs” in some places.

Dogs in the working group are the blue-collar workers of the dog world. This group in fact has some of the world’s most ancient breeds.

These medium to large dogs are very intelligent, loyal, strong, athletic, and are well known for their courage.

People pleasers, if you can give these powerfully built animals a job to do, they’ll make great enthusiastic companions for years to come.

Their considerable size and strength alone make them unsuitable pets.

Considering their size alone, they have to be trained properly.

In today’s time, you can find these mighty heroes serving as police dogs, military dogs, security dogs, guide dogs, and even hunters.

Dogs in the working group include 

Alaskan Malamute

Siberian Husky

Great Dane

Doberman Pinscher

Rottweiler

Akita

Neapolitan Mastiff

Newfoundland

Bernese Mountain Dog

Saint Bernard

Hound Dogs

Dogs in the Hound Group were originally categorized as Sporting dogs because of their use in hunting.

Breeds in this group vary in size, shape, and coat.

Hound dogs have strong prey drives and were bred to chase warm-blooded quarry. They stopped at nothing until they caught their game.

Most hound dog breeds share a common ancestral trait — hunting.

Many of them were raised to hunt independently and chase their prey without their owners, who would usually follow them on foot or horseback.

Generalizing dogs in the hound group is difficult, as it has many different types of dogs classified into 2 subgroups: sighthounds and scent hounds.

Sighthounds use their phenomenal gift of stamina and wise vision to chase swift prey.

Scent hounds use their precise scenting powers and rely on their noses to track anything, from game to escaped convicts.

Today only a few dogs in the hound group are used for hunting purposes, their hunting instincts remain strong throughout their dog group.

They are affectionate and strong-willed pups have a distinct ability to produce a unique sound known as baying.

Due to their powerful sense of smell, the hound dog group make ideal applicants for law enforcement.

Dogs in the Hound Group include 

Basset Hound

Beagle

Harrier

American Foxhound

Dachshund

Saluki

Greyhound

Afghan Hound

Bloodhound

Basenji

Toy Dogs

Dogs in the Toy Group make the perfect lap dogs.

They are small in size but have big brains.

They have big personalities stored in a small package. Big enough to even dominate dogs 10x times their size and sometimes even people.

The “toy” term in their dog group is mainly just for the description of their size.

Some toy dogs have been bred down from larger breeds and some of them even retain their inherited instincts. 

Others ruled the dog group as prized lapdogs and royal companions.

Their small dog size and adorable expressive faces show us the basic function of this group: to personify sheer happiness.

All kinds of dogs in the toy group in a way play their parts as working dogs.

Working hard to be cute, attentive, and affectionate puppers.

Toy dog breeds are a blessing for the city-dwellers, they are ideal apartment dogs (thanks to their size and portability).

Despite their tiny stature — they are tough as nails and vocal enough to make it to the watchdog list. 

The toy dog group primarily consists of small and very small dog breeds weighing between 8lbs to 11lbs.

Dogs in Toy Group include 

Pekingese

Chihuahua

Pomeranian

Maltese

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Bichon Frise

Shih Tzu

Havanese

Papillon

Pug

Terrier Dogs

Terrier dogs were originally bred to kill vermin.

Today they have become adored pets and great watchdogs.

All terrier dog breeds evolved from the British Isles except for two.

The geographical regions helped determine the duties of each dog breed which primarily involve hunting vermin and varmints.

They typically have a low tolerance for small animals and are not so great with kids.

Suggestion: 15 Best Dogs for Kids 

People who know this dog group consistently talk about these dogs having a very distinctive feisty and mischievous personality.

There are two subgroups in the terrier group — the short-legged terriers and the long-legged terriers.

The short-legged feisty breeds were bred to burrow in pursuit of the vermin and rodents.

Their determination, courage, and self-confidence have no match when they have their game faces on.

Whereas the long-legged terrier dogs dug out the varmint.

Meanwhile, the group’s “bully” breeds, which were developed for blood sports like bull-baiting, are popular pets today.

Ancestors of the terrier group of dogs were bred to kill vermin, their eager personality is always up for a spirited argument.

This group of dogs is an excellent competitor in the sport of Earthdog.

Dogs in the Terrier Group include 

Airedale Terrier

Rat Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier

Fox Terrier

Cairn Terrier

West Highland White Terrier

Australian Terrier

Border Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

Scottish Terrier

Sporting Dogs

Sporting dogs were bred to help hunters in capturing and retrieving their game since the 1600s.

This category of dogs includes pointers, retrievers, setters, and spaniels, some still fulfill the tasks for which they were bred.

Following the introduction of the rifle, sporting, or gun dogs were developed.

They majorly assisted in the hunting of upland game birds or ducks under the instruction of the hunter.

Many dog breeds in this group have thick, water-repellent coats that allow them to survive in severe hunting situations.

Pointers and setters are primarily responsible for pointing and marking game, Spaniels are responsible for flushing game, and Retrievers are responsible for recovering dead and wounded game.

These have been trained to help hunters in finding, pointing, flushing, holding, and retrieving game.

This group of dogs aren’t just limited to hunting, they even excel as companion dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, even assistance dogs.

Sporting dog breeds are likable, well-rounded companions because they are naturally active and alert. 

They’re athletic and active, with a kind demeanor and a can-do mentality. 

A would-be owner needs to keep in mind that this dog group requires invigorating exercise to keep them occupied.

The high-energy dogs in this pack have a strong desire to be outside.

They have become one of the most popular dog breeds for families due to their undying loyalty and outstanding trainability.

Many of these breeds are known for their instincts in the water and forests, and many of them still participate in hunting and other field sports. 

Retrievers, which are developed for swimming, specialize in ducks, while setters, spaniels, other pointing breeds hunt in the grasslands where the game birds nest.

Dogs in the Sporting Dog Group include 

English Cocker Spaniel

Irish Setter

Labrador Retriever

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

English Springer Spaniel

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Wirehaired Pointer

Clumber Spaniel

American Water Spaniel

Weimaraner

Non-Sporting Dogs

Dogs were formerly classified as either Sporting or Non-Sporting by the AKC. 

Toys and Working dogs were eventually separated from non-Sporting.

The Herding Group was eventually separated from Working. 

The Non-Sporting Group now encompasses every remaining breed, resulting in a vast range of sizes, forms, hair types, functions, and histories.

Today this group is home to those different dog breeds who no longer perform the duties they were originally bred to carry out.

For example, Dalmatians don’t accompany horse-drawn carriages anymore.

Non-Sporting Dog Group has a variety of breeds, but they all have two things in common: wet noses and four legs.

After that, there isn’t much in common with this mishmash of breeds whose job descriptions defy categorization in the other six groups, even though they all have fascinating backstories.

Today, the Non-Sporting Group’s various breeds are primarily sought after as companions.

The Chow-Chow, Dalmatian, French Bulldog, and Keeshond are all tough dogs with distinct personalities and features.

What a contrast in size, coat, and mien!

Some, such as the Schipperke and Tibetan Spaniel, are unusual to see in a typical neighborhood.

Others, such as the Poodle and the Lhasa Apso, have a sizable following.

The Non-Sporting Group is an unusual dog group.

In that, it does not categorize dogs based on their purpose or size; instead, it serves as a go-to-gang for dogs who don’t fit into other categories.

As a result, this group of dogs has a wide range of physical and personality characteristics, but they are all runners-up for a loving pet.

Dogs in the Non-Sporting Group include 

Dalmatian

Schipperke

Finnish Spitz

American Eskimo Dog

Shar Pei

Boston Terrier

Shiba Inu

French Bulldog

Chow-Chow

American Bulldog

Herding Dogs

The Herding Group is the newest AKC classification, having been established in 1983. Its members were previously members of the Working Group.

Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds and are extremely trainable due to their natural intelligence and attentiveness.

They are the easiest to train among all the different dog breeds, making them ideal for dog obedience training, herding trials, and agility sports.

Herding dogs have been bred to be smart, athletic, and hardworking. 

They possess magnitudes of capacity to herd other animals like sheep, cattle, and even reindeer breeds.

Their zest to regulate the movement of other animals is shared by all breeds.

For example, the low-set Corgi who is only a foot tall can drive cattle.

This dog group has high levels of energy but majorly being household pets, they have never come across any farm animals.

Finding them a job is a must or else you find them gently trying to herd other pets and even children.

The Herding Group has matured into independent but loyal canines who are happiest when they are serving their dog owners.

These dogs are great, loving pets who thrive on—and demand—human connection when given enough exercise and mental stimulation.

Some herding breeds, such as the German Shepherd Dog, are now extensively used in law enforcement.

What dogs are in the herding group?

Dogs in the Herding Group include 

Australian Shepherd

Border Collie

Shetland Sheepdog

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Canaan Dog

Australian Cattle Dog

Belgian Malinois

Belgian Tervuren

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

German Shepherd

This Concludes the 7 Major Dog Groups that AKC has categorized all kinds of dogs into.

These dog groups are categorized for the AKC dog show.

Similarly, The UK Kennel Club has its own 7 major types of dog groups.

All have similar characteristics to that of the AKC groups but some have a different set of names.

Even though both Kennel Clubs have 4 similar dog groups that are – 

Working Dogs

Terrier Dogs

Hound dogs

Toy Dogs

The UK Kennel Club has 3 groups with different names but the same characteristics-

Gun Dogs 

Utility Dogs

Pastoral Dogs

Gun Dogs

Similar to the AKC’s Sporting Dogs – Gun dogs were originally bred to help their owners hunt game.

Sometimes known as bird dogs these hunting canines have been bred to aid hunters in locating and retrieving game, most commonly quail, dove, or duck. 

Historically, they were valued for their hunting abilities.

Retrievers, flushing dogs, and pointing breeds are the three main types of gun dogs.

Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels are the most frequent types of gun dogs.

This group of dogs is commonly referred to as bird dogs because their primary target is birds, but they also hunt smaller animals like rabbits.

Gundog breeds are frequently described as the ideal family pet.

Originally designed to assist their owners in hunting game, they are now dependable and affectionate companions who will readily seek trouble if bored or lacking inactivity.

When a bird is shot, the dog should mark the spot where it fell and wait to recover it until the command is issued.

The dog will sprint to the site of fall, pick up the bird, and return it to the handler once commanded.

Dogs in the Gun Dog Group include 

Brittany

English Setter

Pointer

Portuguese Pointer

Golden Retriever

Labrador Retriever

American Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel

English Springer Spaniel

Weimaraner

Utility Dogs

Similar to the AKC’s Non-Sporting Dogs these dogs were once bred for a variety of reasons. 

As a result, this dog breed group is quite diverse, with breeds ranging from Akita to Bulldog, Chow-Chow to Dalmatian, each created to fulfill a specific requirement.

Utility dogs are a diverse group of breeds that are primarily non-sporting in origin and were bred to do specific tasks in the past.

What are Utility Dogs?

Utility dogs are a diverse group of breeds that are primarily non-sporting in origin and were bred to do specific tasks in the past.

This is the category for all the breeds that don’t belong anywhere else!

Most utility dogs were bred to be useful and valuable to our lives, as their name suggests. 

Typically, they are ‘ultra-specialists’ who have been trained to work in a very specialized geographical location, scenario, or vocation.

Poodles, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus are breeds that we all know and adore, and they all show how diverse this group is out of all the dog groups.

This group includes some of the world’s oldest documented breeds with working or non-sporting dogs’ origins.

As a result, no dog has particular breed features.

Therefore, owners must look into the dog’s characteristics by breed to determine how the dog will interact with them.

Utility dog breeds can be found working beside fire engines and noble carriages, enticing ducks, companions, fighting and serving as a warning system for barge owners or monks, 

Utility dog breeds include dogs with jobs as diverse as running alongside fire engines and the carriages of noblemen.

Even attracting ducks, an early warning system for barge owners and monks, companions, and fighting.

Dogs in the Utility Dog Group include

Akita

Boston Terrier

Bulldog

Chow-Chow

Dalmatian

French Bulldog

Lhasa Apso

Standard Poodle

Schnauzer

Shih Tzu

Pastoral Dogs

Similar to AKC’s Herding Dog Breeds, the Pastoral Dogs were bred to work with grazing animals.

Pastoral dog types exist in a variety of sizes and forms, they all love having a job to do.

Pastoral dog breeds enjoy collaborating with their owners and will wag their tails anytime the entire family participates in training, exercise, or playtime.

Examples of Pastoral Dogs that were developed to help control sheep or cattle were Sheepdogs, Collies, and Corgis.

Given their experience in moving and guarding animals, it’s no surprise that pastoral dogs may readily become dependable family members.

Not that it is a surprise but they are always willing to cooperate while still demanding a lot of activity.

Dogs in the Pastoral Dog Group include

Australian Cattle Dog

Border Collie

Smooth Collie

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Samoyed

Shetland Sheepdog

Swedish Vallhund

Turkish Kangal Dog

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

We have managed to scour the internet high and low to get you the answer for which dog groups do all types of dogs belong to, at your fingertips. 

The AKC also has a Miscellaneous Dog Group, one that includes the breeds of dogs that haven’t been classified or recognized. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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