Mary Allen
Dogs have accompanied humans for thousands of years. At some point, humans began to breed dog breeds. With this, our ancestors wanted to emphasize special behaviors and the appearance of individual breeds.
That was the beginning of modern breed breeding. Today there are an incredible number of dog breeds around the world. But how many is that in total?
How many dog breeds are there in the world?
According to the largest association of dog breeders, there are 369 dog breeds that are recognized worldwide. 355 dog breeds are finally recognized by the associations. Transitional regulations apply to the remaining dog breeds. The final recognition is usually just a formality.
We will go into the influence of clubs and breeding associations in more detail below. But before we get to that, let’s take a step back and look to the past.
Because the world was not always so clearly divided into breeds such as golden retrievers, dachshunds, German shepherds, bulldogs, poodles, or dachshunds.
The way from wolf to pedigree dog
Wolf and man coexisted for a long time. At some point, they began to seek each other’s closeness. It has not yet been clarified who did this. However, scientists assume that the wolf approached the human.
Eventually, the animals became tame. They became more and more accustomed to human society. They stayed. So they were domesticated. Where the first domestic dog evolved is undocumented and so far unclear.
From East Asia to the world
It is believed that the domestic dog originated in East Asia. From there the dogs are said to have spread to Europe. And then on to America.
In North America, dogs may have hunted alongside humans. Likewise in Europe and the Middle East. At least that is what wall paintings suggest, as well as old scrolls.
Today, domestic dogs are loved in Europe and America. And you spoil them. Dog ownership is not so widespread in Asia. Unfortunately, dogs are considered a culinary specialty in parts of Asia. Or they live neglected on the streets.
Man begins to breed dogs
The development of the dog in Egypt was quite different. Here the dog was sacred. Some four-legged friends even had their own servants. They were only served the best food.
For dogs were the protectors of the pharaoh. And they buried her with her mistress. These animals have evolved completely differently from all other domestic dogs.
Over time, people began to breed four-legged friends with special characteristics. So you wanted to inherit special character traits. Over time, this resulted in today’s dog breeds.
They all have different looks and personality traits. And they perform various tasks.
From hunting dogs to modern dogs
In the beginning, hunting dogs and retrievers were important. They helped people hunt. Later, when man became sedentary, he needed watchdogs.
He bred shepherd dogs for the cattle. The lap dogs came later. The Chihuahua is an exception. It is considered a very old and smallest breed of dog.
Modern pedigree dog breeding began in the mid-19th century. The more developed industrial countries were pioneers. Because here, thanks to Darwin’s research and Mendel’s rules, people knew about the laws of inheritance.
The first breeders used this knowledge accordingly. And so they achieved certain characteristics.
What are pedigree dog standards?
Dogs with a uniform appearance and similar character traits emerged. This breeding progress was recorded in stud books.
Breed standards were established. In addition, bred dogs received pedigrees. Over time, the cynological umbrella organizations emerged from this.
The term cynology means the study of dog breeds and the breeding of domestic dogs. The word is composed of Kyon, the Greek word for dog, and the suffix logie.
The professional title is not protected. Worldwide there is only one scientific research facility for cynology in Vienna. Canine Science is increasingly being used instead of cynology.
Today, a pedigree dog is a dog that is bred according to breed standards. This breeding must comply with the guidelines of a cynological umbrella organization. Over several generations of dogs, the dog must be descended from the same breed of dog. Proof of parentage must be available.
Breeding associations are committed to improving and preserving a specific breed. You set the breeding goal. This club keeps the stud book with the pedigree. And with the performance of the individual animals.
The cynological umbrella organizations
The cynological umbrella organization is superior to the breeding associations. The world’s best-known breeding associations are:
- the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)
- the British The Kennel Club (KC)
- the American Kennel Club (AKC)
- the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
These associations mutually recognize individual dog breeds. And they work together. In addition, there is a regional umbrella organization in most countries.
In Germany, this is the Association for German Dogs (VDH). In Austria, it is the Austrian Kennel Club (ÖKV). And in Switzerland, it is called the Swiss Cynological Society (SKG).
According to the FCI, pedigree dogs are divided into 10 groups
Today there are around 370 registered and recognized dog breeds. According to the FCI, these are divided into ten groups:
Group 1: Herding and Cattle Dogs
These dog breeds have always been intended to herd livestock. Or to drive them. They work closely with humans. And they are very attentive. Their hunting instinct is only slightly developed. Their origin is very different.
Group 2: Pinscher, Schnauzer, Molosser and Swiss Mountain Dogs
The task of this group was original to guard the house and yard. They have a strong protective instinct.
Pinschers and Schnauzers are also rats and mouse hunters. Molossers and mountain dogs are also used as working dogs.
Group 3: Terriers
Terriers have always been hunting dogs. The little terriers were pied pipers. The larger fox and badger hunters. But there are also terriers that were used to hunt predators, such as bears.
Group 4: Dachshunds
They are known as dachshunds or dachshunds. And you love these little hunting dogs. They hunt game that lives in burrows.
Group 5: Spitz and primitive type dogs
There is a lace that comes from Asia. Still, other breeds come from Europe. The dogs of the original type have remained very independent and original to this day.
They were all used for hunting. They track down the game via their tracks. Hounds hunt in packs. With a lot of barking. Scenthounds work alone and they work quietly.
Group 7: Guide Dogs
Guide dogs remain motionless as soon as they sense the game. Yet they are quiet. The nose points towards the game.
Group 8: Retrievers, scavenger dogs, and water dogs
All representatives of this breed are hunting dogs. However, they have completely different areas of application. The retrievers bring the shot game to the hunter. Others join in the hunt for aquatic animals or game in the undergrowth.
Group 9: Companion and companion dogs
The name alone explains the task of this group. However, this group is by no means a newfangled phenomenon. There were already companion dogs in the old royal courts.
Group 10: Greyhounds
These extremely slender animals are lightning-fast sprinters. They’re high. As sighted hunters, they have specialized in flight animals.
Which dog breeds do not count?
In addition to these ten groups, there are of course mixed-breed dogs. However, they do not fall under any category and do not meet any standards.
But that doesn’t have to be bad. Because mixed breeds have less to contend with breeding-related gene defects. This unofficial dog breed is often healthier.
At the same time, mixed breeds become real surprise packages. And in doing so, they enrich the lives of their people.
Likewise, the 355 recognized dog breeds do not include all those dog breeds that are awaiting recognition. Designer breeds are also not considered.
Dog breeds of designers
Designer breeds are the modern mixes. These are bred from two existing breeds. Examples are:
- Labradoodle
- Cockapoo
- Goldendoodle
- Maltipoo
- Schnoodle
- Puggles
These hybrids are bred primarily for human convenience. Some are said to be allergy-friendly because they don’t shed. Other breeds are particularly child-friendly or easily trainable.
Often they are simply a mistaken breed. They are then given an exotic name to better market them.
They are not recognized by the FCI. And when buying, you’d better take a close look three times. You should do this with every pedigree dog, by the way.
Only buy pedigree dogs from recognized breeders
Would you like to purchase one of the more than 350 recognized dog breeds? Then make sure that the FCI recognizes the breeder.
The breed clubs can name all breeders who breed according to the rules. The operation of this breeder is considered reputable and meets all modern requirements for animal welfare.
If a dog breed is not generally known, keep your hands off it. Especially when there is hardly any information about it.
A good idea is a mongrel. These pets are usually waiting for a new home in the numerous animal shelters. They combine a wide variety of looks and characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dog breeds are there in the world in 2021?
The number of dog breeds recognized by the FCI varies between 390 and 400. The range of variation results from the fact that new lawns are recognized and some dog breeds are removed from the list.
How many dog breeds are there in the world in 2022?
While the FCI, as the most important cynological umbrella organization, recognizes around 350 dog breeds, other associations only recognize around 200 or well over 400 dog breeds. Depending on the association, the numbers can sometimes vary significantly.
What is the most popular dog breed in the world?
| rank | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| 1. | hybrid | hybrid | hybrid | hybrid | hybrid |
| 2. | Labrador Retrievers | Labrador Retrievers | Labrador Retrievers | Labrador Retrievers | Labrador Retrievers |
| 3. | German shepherd dog | German shepherd dog | German shepherd dog | German shepherd dog | German shepherd dog |
| 4. | French bulldog | French bulldog | French bulldog | chihuahua | chihuahua |
| 5. | chihuahua | chihuahua | chihuahua | French bulldog | French bulldog |
| 6. | Australian Shepherd | Australian Shepherd | Australian Shepherd | Jack Russell Terrier | Jack Russell Terrier |
| 7. | Golden retriever | Golden retriever | Golden retriever | Australian Shepherd | Golden retriever |
| 8th. | Jack Russell Terrier | Jack Russell Terrier | Jack Russell Terrier | Golden retriever | Australian Shepherd |
| 9. | Havanese | Havanese | Yorkshire terriers | Yorkshire terriers | Yorkshire terriers |
| 10 | border collie | Yorkshire terriers | Havanese | Havanese | Havanese |
What are the largest dog breeds in the world?
The Great Dane Freddy from England has the entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest dog in the world. At an impressive 103.5cm at the withers, he is the tallest of his kind and has held this record since 2016 – even though he was the smallest in his litter at the time.
What are the 10 largest dogs in the world?
10. Kangal Shepherd Dog
9. Irish Wolfhound
8. Landseer
7. Chien De Montagne Des Pyrenees
6. Leonberger
5. Borzoi
4. Akbash
3. Great Dane
2. St. Bernard
1. Mastiff
Bonus: Freddie
What breed of dog is a big dog?
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Deer hound
- Leonberger.
- Irish wolfhound.
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog.
- Saint Bernard.
- Newfoundland.
- Mastiff