Dog Breeds Classification - FCI Standards

Dog breeds are groups of animals of the same type, that are achieved through special selection and that are characterized by specific outer, inner and behavioral features that are fixed and are instantly inherited by the next generations.

Dog breeds are bred by people for various specific tasks: search and rescue, military, shepherd, guard, police, custom, hunting etc. Many dog breeds are bred just for aesthetic purposes.

Purebred dog breeds are distinguished from non-purebred by the presupposed result - getting a purebred puppy you always know and imagine how it will look growing up. It touches upon dog's look and character as well.

Nowadays the majority of purebred dogs are used as companion dogs: "work" of a lot of dogs is now to be presented at dog shows, sport competitions and exhibitions.

The first tries of dog classification are made in antique ages. Ancient Romans in addition to many dog breeds described by Aristotle list many other dog breeds. In the Medieval ages the number of dog breeds is growing, especially in the Renaissance times. The canine was mostly the area of aristocracy that's why the majority of dog breeds belonged to hunting dogs. This is the way the dogs were classified at those times: hunting dogs and the others.

Nowadays there are about 400 dog breeds. they can be subdivided into three main subgroups: service dogs (including sport dogs), hunting dogs (hounds) and decorative dog breeds. This division is very depending and modern canine science proposes variants of more detailed classification of dog breeds. The most famous are classification of English Club, American Kennel Club and Classification of World Canine Accociation (Federation Cynologique Internationale FCI).

English and American Systems are limited by action in the definite organization. More scientifically approved and fundamental classification of dog breeds was invented by FCI. This classification is accepted in all FCI countries.

Short FCI standards and groups of dog breeds classification.

I Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)

 Border Collie Belgian Shepherd Malinois

II Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid Breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs

Doberman	Riesenschnauzer	Black Russian Terrier
Shar Pei	Boxer	Rottweiler
Great Dane	Dogue De Bordeaux	English Bulldog
Bullmastiff	Italian Mastiff (Mastino Napoletano)	Cane Corso Mastiff
Newfoundland	St Benard	Tibetian Mastiff
Caucasian Shepherd	Swiss Mountain Dog	Bernese Mountain Dog

III Terriers ��� ���

American Staffordshire Terrier	Staffordshire Bull Terrier	English Bull Terrier

IV Dachshunds

V Spitz and Primitive types

Alaskan Malamute	Siberian Husky	Samoyed	Russian-European Laika

VI Scenthounds and Related Breeds

Beagle	Dalmatian	Rhodesian Ridgeback

VII Pointing Dogs

VIII Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs

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IX Companion and Toy Dogs

X Sighthounds

More detailed classification with the complete list of FCI dog breeds that enter each of these groups will be completed in the nearest time. Now you may view here the FCI dog breeds represented at our online store. Follow our news at our official Facebook page.

Information from the official page of FCI.