Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny Dachshund to the towering Doberman. But exactly how many shapes and sizes is up for debate, and the actual number of dog breeds in the world depends on who you ask.
According to the American Kennel Club, for example, there are over 340 dog breeds worldwide, though it has officially recognised only 202. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognises 359, while the UK’s Kennel Club counts 224.
Why the confusion? “Breeds” are a human-made classification system—not a biological one. The criteria for what counts as a breed vary, and different kennel clubs will disagree about whether there’s enough documentation of lineage and population.
Read on to learn more about how kennel clubs determine what counts as a “breed,” how breeds get recognised, and where different types of dogs come from.
How Many Official Dog Breeds Are There?
Though there are likely over 400 dog breeds worldwide, the number of officially recognised breeds varies by country. This difference stems from regional breed popularity and differing national breed standards.
Discover how breeds are recognised in various countries below.
| Organization | Number of breeds | Purebred Only? | Criteria |
| The Kennel Club (UK) | 224 | Yes |
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| American Kennel Club (USA) | 202 | Yes (though AKC holds a program called Canine Partners, welcoming mixed breeds to participate in their events) |
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| Australian National Kennel Council (Australia) | 219 | Yes |
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| German Kennel Club (Germany) | 343 | Yes |
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What about mixed breeds?
“Mixed-breed” dogs or “mutts” are a blend of three or more breeds, usually with ancestry unknown. They typically aren’t recognized by official breed registries, and there’s no exact count of mixed-breed types.
A crossbreed dog, by contrast, is the offspring of two different purebred dogs. Though crossbreeds like Goldendoodles and Maltipoos are wildly popular, they’re not yet recognised by most kennel clubs, which require consistent “true breeding” to a standard over many generations. There’s still a lot of variation in these designer pups.
Where Did All These Breeds Come From?
Man’s best friend has come a long way over the centuries. Today, there are hundreds of dog breeds, but this diversity didn’t always exist.
Historically, dogs were bred for specific purposes such as hunting, herding, and other man-made roles. Domestication and selective breeding for certain traits have caused new breeds to emerge over the years.
Through genetic testing and archaeological studies, researchers have found that some of the oldest dog breeds in the world include the Greenland Sled Dog, the Pug, and the Canaan Dog, whose modern-day counterparts closely resemble their centuries-old ancestors.
Other ancient breeds include the Basenji and the Saluki, descending from Africa, as well as the Chow Chow, hailing from Asia.
Modern breeds include the newest canine to be recognised by the American Kennel Club, the Danish-Swedish Farmdog, whose lineage is similar to farm dogs found amongst Vikings.
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Danish-Swedish Farm Dog. Jdandanell via iStock
How Do Dog Breeds Get Recognised?
Landing a spot on an official breed registry can be a rigorous process. The UK’s Kennel Club registers over 250,000 pedigree and crossbreed dogs annually, but signing up a new breed is a more in-depth task.
To start the road to becoming an officially recognised breed in the UK, a breed must be established enough. The Kennel Club researches the history, temperament, and health of the breed before granting them recognition. Once the Kennel Club recognises them, they start on the Imported Breed Register until the Kennel Club Board deems them eligible to move to the primary Breed Register.
Amongst other criteria, the Kennel Club uses the following to determine whether a breed qualifies as established:
- Confirmation that the dog has been imported from a country that has a national registry with a two-way agreement with the UK.
- The names of UK pet parents or importers
- At least three generations of pedigree information
- The total number of dogs in the UK, ideally at least 20 that are not related to one another
- Plans for future breeding and genetic diversity
- Recognised breed status in the country of origin
- An indication of the breed’s characteristics
- Details of breed-specific health info
- Video evidence of a breed performing its function
Once approved, they enter the Imported Breeds Registry.
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Ihar Halavach via iStock
What Are the Different Types of Dog Breeds?
While each breed is unique, organisations like the Kennel Club divide dogs into various groups based on their traits, features, and origin. These may differ between countries. However, the breeds within these groups often share a common skillset, stemming from the task humans bred them for years ago:
- Working dogs. Intelligent and strong working dogs excel in sledding, police and military work, service animal roles, and more. These breeds range from the German Shepherd to the Siberian Husky.
- Pastoral dogs. Canines bred to help protect or herd livestock are called pastoral dogs. On farms, livestock guardians blend in with the herd, acting as a stealthy defence from predators. LGD breeds include the Great Pyrenees, the Komondor, and the Anatolian Shepherd Dog. Though herding dogs were also bred for farm life, their instincts and personality help them excel in herding livestock. Border Collies and Australian Cattle Dogs are prominent examples of herding dog breeds.
- Gundogs. Once bred to help humans hunt and retrieve game, these dogs have an excellent sense of smell! Cocker Spaniels, English Setters, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Golden Retrievers fall into this group.
- Toy dogs. These pint-sized companions are known for being affectionate, social, and adaptable to many lifestyles. Toy dogs range from the Chihuahua to the Maltese.
- Hound dogs. Like their sporting dog counterparts, these canines were bred to sniff out and hunt game. Examples of hound dog breeds include the Basset Hound, the Beagle, and the Bloodhound.
- Utility dogs. This name means the dog is “fit for a purpose” but includes a wide range of breeds that don’t neatly fit another category. This includes breeds like terriers. Historically bred to help kill vermin, terriers are stubborn and highly energetic. These furry companions include the Irish Terrier, the Miniature Schnauzer, the Parson Russell Terrier, and the Scottish Terrier. Other examples include breeds commonly used as housedogs or watchdogs, such as the Chow Chow, Bulldog, and Dalmatian.
With so many dog breeds around the world, choosing the right one to fit your lifestyle is no small decision. Whether purebred or mixed breed, every dog deserves to find their forever home.
Considering adding a dog to your household? Explore Rover’s informational breed guides, or check out the most popular dog breeds in the UK.
