A Look At Dog Breed Types by AKC

When you start your quest to adopt or purchase a new dog, you'll no doubt want to know what options abound. Right now there are hundreds if not thousands of breeds that you can choose from, and each one of them have their own special traits. If you look online for dogs and puppies for sale, you're going to get hit with a lot of information, and it can be a bit confusing. That's why many look beyond that, and instead focus on listings from kennel clubs around the world. There are several organizations that work within the kennel clubs, as they provide with classifications, and breed information about every dog type. One such option is that of the American Kennel Club.

The Founding of AKC

The AKC or American Kennel Club was founded in 1884 and it is a premier registry for purebred dogs of certain pedigree in the United States. It keeps records for ancestry, and much more in regards to canines. They are part of the larger World Canine Organization which is out of Belgium. Under their classifications, many show dogs are allowed to move forward with full recognition. Early on, before shifting gears, the kennel club focused on Greyhound breeding, specifically for racing. However, that shifted when the Westminster Kennel Club Show started to take off at the turn of the 20th century.

The Groupings

As with other kennels, the American Club only recognizes a certain number of breeds throughout their listings. As of this writing, they only cover 187 breeds and they are classified into several different groups. Each one with their own characteristics. While there may be changes to the classifications, and list, it doesn't usually get a lot of change. Out of the 187 breeds, the following groupings are focused upon.

Sporting Group 

Hound Group 

Working Group 

Terrier Group 

Toy Group 

Herding Group 

Non-Sporting Group 

Miscellaneous Class 

Foundation Stock Service (FSS) Program

The groupings mentioned above have not been changed since 2011. However, it is not uncommon for new options to be founded within decades of one another.

Health Elements

One note of interest in regards to the American Club is the frequency of health issues found within the breeds. Pure bred dogs within the classifications of this kennel have 25% more issues with health and genetic problems inherited from their ancestry. This has drawn a lot of criticism as other kennel clubs around the world don't really have the same sort of issues.

AKC And The Law

Another great element of note is in regards to the legislation in the United States. You'll find that the kennel club lobbies lawmakers to help curtail selling online, illegal breeding, and much more. They have worked to stop puppy-mills, and much more, and continue to lobby for the sake of dogs, not just purebreds, but all dogs that are adopted, bred, sold, and put in shows in the United States. The American Kennel Club truly focuses on the wellbeing of all dog breeds across several different areas, not just show dogs, which is definitely a plus.

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Big Dogs: Pros and Cons

The American Kennel Club has stated that fewer and fewer people have been registering large dogs. This may be because of the growing migration from rural areas into the city. Big dogs are what most people think of when they think of dogs. These loyal, affectionate companions love to run alongside you in the park, fetch whatever you feel like throwing, and laying with you in front of the television. However, you must actually think it through: is a large dog what you need in your life right now? What are the cons of having a large dog? And finally, can you handle taking care of these gentle beasts' many needs?

Big dogs may look scary, but many are very loyal. A Rottweiler, when trained well, will be superbly protective of their area, but defer to their owner rather than trying to suss out danger for themselves. If you live in the suburbs or on a farm, a large-breed dog may be what you're looking for. They do need plenty of room to run around and exercise in, so reconsider a large dog if you are living in cramped quarters. Sporting breeds need room to run and get depressed if they do not, and most dogs just like to have the freedom that comes with having a big backyard. As briefly mentioned above, many large dogs can become amazing family dogs, and even better watch dogs. Many of these dog breeds are protective of children that they know are part of their family circle.

For the most part, a big dog means a good trainee. They are more than eager to please their masters. It comes with being so loyal! Whether it is "sit", "come", "lay down", or "roll over", large dogs just have a paw up on their smaller counterparts for being the more trainable pet. Most dogs are generally calm and can actually do alright in small living spaces providing they get enough time (an hour or two per day) outside running around. They love to nap on beds and sofas whether with you or without.

Of course, there is a huge variance on the temperament and behavior of large-breed dogs. Make sure to look up and study whatever dog you wish to adopt into your home. Make sure their activity levels, grooming requirements, and living habits suit you, so that you can be a suitable companion to your dog and vice versa.

Before you run out of the house to get yourself a big dog, remember that there are some cons that go with such big pups, too. They cost more: almost everything about them is more expensive than small pups. Veterinary care. Food. Dog toys. The only thing that doesn't cost more is the actual large-breed dog itself, which is usually less expensive than little dog breeds.

You have to make sure that you're ready to train big dogs. Big dogs can present more danger than little ones. Also, their life spans are often quite short. In general, the rule of thumb is "the larger the dog, the shorter the lifespan", unfortunately.

Whether you settle on a Retriever, a Shepherd, a Boxer, or a Rottweiler, remember that any dog may have behavioral problems. Make sure to discipline your dog if it caught chewing on things, barking at people needlessly, or constantly bringing you object to throw for them. You are the boss, and you have to make this known to them.

If, once considering these pros and cons, you decide to go ahead for a large dog, you will find a pet who will be beside you for the rest of their life. They are loyal, and, as huge as they may become, if you get them when they are young they will always be your little puppy. Just don't shy away when it's time to clean up their house-sized poop!

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