As you begin your search for a dog, you’re probably wondering, “What kind of dog Would it be the best for me?” Dogs come in many different sizes, colors, coats, and personalities. Start owning a dog on the right foot by doing your research before settling on a breed.

While there are around 400 recognized breeds, the best place to start is to look at the approx. 155 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, divided into seven broad categories. Within each breed category there are subgroups.

Sports Group

Sporting dogs were originally bred to help man hunt birds by retrieving them from water or brush. Nature has conditioned them to recover; They also love to fetch balls and newspapers, and are excellent companions. Members of the Sporting Group include retrievers, pointers, setters, and spaniels. A naturally active breed, regular brisk exercise is a must with these dogs to prevent excessive chewing, jumping, and barking.

bloodhound group

Bloodhounds were originally bred for hunting. There are three main subgroups: hounds, sighthounds, and big game hounds. Sighthounds are gentle pets, but they love to run after fast-moving targets. They include the Greyhound, Irish Wolfhound, and Whippet. Bloodhounds follow their nose and it can be difficult to get their attention when they are on the trail of something. They are sweet, affectionate and good companions. Among them are the Beagle and the Bloodhound. Big game hounds like the Rhodesian Ridgeback were bred to hunt lion, elk, and other game. They are powerful, fearless and good watchdogs.

Workgroup

The breeds of this group were bred to help man. Their jobs range from rescue to sledding to surveillance. They are intelligent, learn quickly and are good companions. However, most of them are very large and strong dogs and may not be suitable for families with small children. Proper training is very important with these breeds. Among the breeds are sled dogs such as the Siberian Husky and the Samoyed; draft dogs that were bred to pull heavy loads like the Bernese Mountain Dog; guard dogs like Bullmastiff, Rottweiler and Akita; and rescue/water dogs like the Newfoundland and Saint Bernard.

herding group

The dogs in the herding group were, you guessed it, bred for herding. They are lively, agile, alert, respond well to training, and make excellent pets. They love to get plenty of exercise and if they can’t find a sheep to herd, they will happily (and gently) herd their owners or children. Herding dogs include the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Old English Sheepdog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

non-sports group

Originally, many of these dogs were working dogs, but today they are primarily companions. These breeds vary widely in size, coat, temperament, and personality. Among the various breeds are the Bichon Frize, Chow Chow, French Bulldog, Keeshond, Poodle, and Schipperke.

terrier group

Terriers are a particular group and were originally bred as vermin hunters or fighting breeds. Vermin hunters are lively, independent, and do best on a leash when outdoors. Terriers can become barking or chewing if not properly trained, and can sometimes become aggressive with food or toys. The group of fighters includes Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier. They can make good pets if they are well trained and socialized, but without training they can be a potential danger to people and other dogs.

toygroup

Toy breeds are very small, playful, devoted to their owners, loving and demanding attention. Their main goal is to be adorable and they make an excellent lap dog. They need less exercise than other breeds and do well in apartments or other small rooms, and are a good choice for older people. Some, however, may bark or bite if they are not trained. Toy breeds include Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Maltese, Pekinese, Pug, and Toy Poodle.

By doing your research before choosing a breed, you’ll be a big step forward in finding the dog that fits your personality and lifestyle, and you’ll have a great companion for years to come.