Samoyed standing in the forest.
Samoyed

What's a dog breed?

People have been breeding dogs since prehistoric times. The earliest dog breeders used wolves to create domestic dogs. From the beginning, humans purposefully bred dogs to perform various tasks. Hunting, guarding, and herding are thought to be among the earliest job…

What's a dog breed?

People have been breeding dogs since prehistoric times. The earliest dog breeders used wolves to create domestic dogs. From the beginning, humans purposefully bred dogs to perform various tasks. Hunting, guarding, and herding are thought to be among the earliest jobs eagerly performed by the animal destined to be called “man’s best friend.”

For thousands of years, humans bred dogs toward the physical and mental traits best suited for the work expected of them. The sleek Greyhound types bred to chase fleet-footed prey, and the huge mastiff types used as guard dogs and warriors, are two ancient examples of dogs bred for specific jobs.

As humans became more sophisticated, so did their dogs. Eventually, there emerged specific breeds of dogs, custom-bred to suit the breeders’ local needs and circumstances. The Greyhound, for instance, was the foundation type for the immense Irish Wolfhound and the dainty Italian Greyhound. All three have a distinct family resemblance, but you’d never mistake one for another.

So, then, when is a breed a breed and not just a kind or type of dog? The simplest way to define a breed is to say it always “breeds true.” That is, breeding a purebred Irish Setter to another purebred Irish Setter will always produce dogs instantly recognizable as Irish Setters.

Each breed’s ideal physical traits, movement, and temperament are set down in a written document called a “breed standard.” For example, the breed standard sets forth the traits that make a Cocker Spaniel a Cocker Spaniel and not a Springer Spaniel.

The AKC standard for each breed originates with a “parent club,” the AKC-recognized national club devoted to a particular breed. Once approved by the AKC, a standard becomes both the breeder’s “blueprint” and the instrument used by dog show judges to evaluate a breeder’s work.

There are over 340 dog breeds known throughout the world. The American Kennel Club recognizes 200 breeds.

Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terrier

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Canaan Dog

Canaan Dog

One of the AKC's oldest breeds, the Canaan Dog is the national dog of Israel. This quick…

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Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a masterpiece of the breeder's art: Every aspect of its makeup i…

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Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Caucasian Shepherd Dog

The Caucasian Shepherd dog is a serious guardian breed and should never be taken lightly. The…

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Central Asian Shepherd Dog

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is self-assured, balanced, quiet, proud and independent. They are…

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Chow Chow

Chow Chow

The Chow Chow, an all-purpose dog of ancient China, presents the picture of a muscula…

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Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel

The merry and frolicsome Cocker Spaniel, with his big, dreamy eyes and impish personality, is one…

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Coton de Tulear

Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tulear, 'Royal Dog of Madagascar,' is a bright, happy-go-lucky companion dog whose…

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Croatian Sheepdog

Croatian Sheepdog

The Croatian Sheepdog is an agile, helpful and humble shepherd dog, self-reliant to his owne…

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Curly-Coated Retriever

Curly-Coated Retriever

The Curly-Coated Retriever, among the oldest of the retriever breeds, is a famously versatile…

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

The unique-looking Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tough but dignified little exterminator. Sturdily…

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Deutscher Wachtelhund

Deutscher Wachtelhund

The Deutscher Wachtelhund has a scenting and blood tracking ability comparable to a Bloodhound and…

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