Dog Breed Groups

Dog breeds are often organized into groups based on their traditional roles, body type, and temperament. These groups help owners understand what a dog was originally bred to do—and what kind of behavior and needs to expect. While the exact grouping varies by kennel club, many systems include similar categories.

Sporting / Gundogs – Bred to work alongside hunters, often energetic and people-oriented.
Herding / Pastoral – Developed to move and manage livestock, usually highly intelligent and active.
Working – Strong, powerful breeds used for guarding, pulling, and protection.
Terriers – Originally created to hunt vermin, typically bold, feisty, and determined.
Hounds – Scent or sight specialists for tracking and chasing game.
Toy / Companion – Small breeds bred primarily for companionship.
Non-Sporting / Utility – A diverse mix of breeds that don’t fit neatly into other groups.

When you explore individual breed profiles on Dog Breeds Worldwide, you’ll see which group each breed belongs to, along with what that generally means for exercise, training, and family life.