Remember that these 150 breeds are only the tip of the iceberg. There are over 400 breeds worldwide. [1] X Research source
These dogs are usually weigh 10 pounds or less. Due to their smaller size, they generally cost less to own than larger breeds of dogs and can be physically easier to control. Popular toy breeds include Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Pekingese, Papillons, Pugs, and Yorkshire Terriers.
Popular terrier breeds include the Jack Russell terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, West Highland Terrier, Cairn terrier, and Fox Terrier. Terriers have the reputation as being tough and tenacious (aka stubborn) and generally aren’t the best dog for a first time dog owner due to this trait. They need a firm, yet kind, hand in instilling discipline and training otherwise they will try to run the household.
The bloodhound is an example of a hound that tracks by scent. Beagles, bassets, and foxhounds are also breeds of scent hounds. Sight hounds are generally lean and fast, tracking prey with their eyes. Salukis, greyhounds, and whippets are good examples of sight hounds.
These dogs are driven to herd, to the point that they will herd children and adults if they have no livestock to control! That being said they will need to be trained not to herd people and given another outlet for their drive and instinct. They make good candidates to be trained for agility or other athletic canine sports. Popular herding dogs include the Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler), Border Collie, Belgian Malinois, Collie, and Corgi.
The Labrador retriever is the epitome of this group. Additionally, it consistently ranks at the top of the short list for the most popular breed of dog in the USA. Not without reason, as generally this dog makes a great family pet in addition to a fine hunting companion. Other group examples include the Springer spaniel, Golden retriever, English setter, and German Shorthair pointer.
The Great Pyrenees, a great livestock protector and huge white dog, is one breed in the working group. Alaskan malamutes, Great Danes, Rottweilers, St. Bernards and Doberman Pinschers are other popular breeds in the working group.
The Dalmatian, or firehouse dog, is in this group. Its white with black spots coat helps it be easily recognized. The Lhasa Apso—a long haired, small dog—is a popular little companion. The Bulldog, with its thick jowls, stocky build, and tough guy persona is also in the non-sporting group. As you can tell from these three examples, this group has a huge variety of dogs in it. Other popular dogs in this group include the Bichon Frise, American Eskimo, the French bulldog, the Boston terrier, the Chow Chow, and the Poodle. Some may question why a dog like the Boston terrier isn’t in the terrier group. This is because the breed was not originally bred to hunt rodents, but instead was bred relatively recently from existing breeds.
Study the dogs each for a group at a time. Go through each “breed type” in each group, this will make it easier to remember in your head. First, for example, start with the sporting group. Get familiar with each breed type in the group, the retrievers, then the pointers, then the spaniels, then the setters.
Also look for online sources. Just as with books, make sure the sources are coming from experts in the field. There are many organizations dedicated to specific breeds, so if you want specific information on a breed, an organization dedicated to them may have good information online.
There are over 600 breeds of dogs in the world, so get familiar with the ones in your area first.
This will help you get familiar with the breeds, and find certain characteristics that will trigger your memory when you see a dog. With diligent studying you soon will be able to tell your Keeshond from your coon hounds and become a mini-expert in dog breed recognition. For example, the AKC states that Yorkies should only be blue and tan, but, there are actually some piebald (black and white) Yorkies.
Look at the dogs in the breed rings, watch how they act, what they look like, and how they move. If you see the dogs in person, you will remember them faster. Next, go to the group rings. See if you can identify each breed from memory.
Each group competes against itself to choose the top dog; the top dog in each in group then competes in one final showing to choose the overall top dog. [6] X Research source www. akc. org The show is also shown on TV every year. Dog breeds are discussed during the televised events, giving viewers a good overall education in dog breeds.
