When you own a purpose-bred purebred dog, you get invaluable insight beyond that irresistible fuzzy puppy licking your face. With a purebred, you know what to expect regarding the full-grown size, body type, ear shape, tail style, coat, and temperament. You can predict that dog’s appearance, whether it will need special grooming, its energy level, and exercise needs.
Most breeds were developed with certain functions in mind. Some were bred to hunt beside their masters, while others were bred to guard sheep or serve as loyal companions. The job your prospective pet was bred to perform will provide insight into its behavior, for instance how well your dog may accept visitors into your home or how it may act around children.
There are nearly 200 AKC-recognized dog breeds out there, each bred for a specific purpose. How well do you know the history of the Dachshund from that of the Bichon Frise? And can you guess which breed from the Toy Group was used to catch rats and which one from the Non-Sporting Group once guarded Buddhist monasteries?
Test your knowledge below, and learn more cool facts about breed history.
Put knowledge about your dog’s breed to use when training for and participating in diverse, fun, and exciting AKC events. With your AKC-Registered dog, you may compete alongside your dog in Agility, Obedience, Tracking, Field Trials, Dog Shows, Junior Showmanship, and many other AKC events.