02/14/2019
How Many Breeds of Dogs Are There?
This is a difficult question to answer since many varieties of dogs that might be classifiable as separate breeds are not recognized by the various international kennel clubs and breed registration groups. However we can at least give a general count, knowing that it will most certainly be an underestimation.
The World Canine Organization is best known by its French title Fédération Cynologique Internationale which is abbreviated FCI. It is the largest registry of dog breeds that is internationally accepted. At the time of this writing the FCI recognizes 339 breeds of dogs which are divided into 10 groups based upon the dog’s purpose or function or upon its appearance or size. The 10 groups are:
10. Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs other than Swiss Cattle Dogs (this group includes most of the dogs found classified as "herding dogs" by other kennel clubs).
9. Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid Breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs and Other Breeds (the Molossian breeds include the dogs known as the mastiffs by most other kennel clubs)
8. Terriers
7. Dachshunds
6. Spitz and Primitive Types
5. Scenthounds and Related Breeds
4. Pointers and Setters
3. Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs
2. Companion and Toy Dogs
1. Sighthounds
Each group is divided into subgroups of dog breeds and each has been assigned a country or region of origin. While the country listed may not be the very first place where the dog breed appeared, it is usually the first nation to have recognized and registered the breed and currently is the home of the breed organization that determines the standard of these breeds (which is the description of the ideal qualities of a dog of that particular breed).
You will probably find some surprises in this list, such as the fact that the Australian Shepherd is actually a breed created in the United States, while the Pharaoh Hound was not developed in Egypt, but in Malta. You will also find that France, Germany and Great Britain are responsible for creating more dog breeds than nearly the rest of the world combined.
