Dog Breed Classification for Pet Owners
Purebred dogs are born to parents of the same breed with all of its ancestors being of the same breed. There are over 150 different breeds of dogs and thousands of cross-breeds and mixed-breeds. Every one of these 150 different dogs was bred for a certain job and are sorted into several groups.
Sporting Dogs
English Setter (England): These hunting dogs can be orange and white, chestnut and white, yellow and white, black and white or tricolor. They are highly skilled at searching out game birds in the field, though they make fantastic house-dogs as well. Males are typically 25-27 inches tall and 63 pounds while females are slightly smaller at 24-25 inches tall and 60 pounds.
German Short-Haired Pointer (Germany): These intelligent dogs are typically liver colored and are bred to hunt, point and retrieve. Males are usually between 23 and 25 inches tall and 63 pounds while females are typically 21 to 23 inches tall and 53 pounds.
Gordon Setter (Scotland): These gorgeous long haired dogs are black and tan and very hard workers. The males can be rather large at 26 inches tall and 65 pounds for males and 25 inches tall and 56 pounds for females.
Irish Setter (Ireland): These deep chestnut colored dogs can be born into litters as large as sixteen puppies and females can be as large as 25 inches tall and 57 pounds while males can weigh as much as 67 pounds. They are very loving, though high strung, animals.
Pointer (England): This athletic dog can range from 24 to 26 inches tall and 57 pounds for females and 25 to 27 inches and 65 pounds for males. They are typically white with black, orange or liver colored and, while fast, are calm and well-mannered.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever (United States): These brown, sedge or red-gold colored dogs have thick coats and were bred to retrieve ducks from bodies of water. They are large and muscular and range from 21 to 24 inches tall and 62 pounds for females and 23 to 26 inches tall and 68 pounds for males.
Golden Retriever (England): This dog is one of the most popular due to its versatility. It ranges in size from 20 to 23 inches and 65 pounds for females and 22 to 24 inches and 75 pounds for males. Their coats are soft, thick and range in color from cream to a rich gold. They are well mannered, intelligent and can retrieve, act as a guide dog or even find drugs and explosives. They also make wonderful family pets.
Labrador Retriever (Canada): This dog is typically used as a guide dog for the blind as it is almost as friendly as it is smart. Both males and females can be as much as 22 inches tall and range between 63 and 67 pounds. Labrador Retrievers are usually chocolate, yellow or black in color and very muscular.
English Springer Spaniel (England): This is a small dog, though the female typically weighs more than the male at 42 pounds versus 37 pounds, though both are usually around 20 inches tall. They are tireless, hard workers and very smart. Their coats are usually liver and white or black and white.
Weimaraner (Germany): This is another hunt, point and retrieve dog that ranges in size from 22 to 25 inches tall and 49 pounds for females, with males ranging in size from 24 to 27 inches tall and 59 pounds. They are often different shades of gray with a short, sleek coat. They are friendly and fearless.
Hounds
Basset Hound (France): This placid dog is rather short with female dogs reaching 13 inches in height and 43 pounds while male dogs range between 13 and 15 inches and 50 pounds They are often red and white or black and tan and do well running long distances.
Beagle (England): These dog’s short, waterproof coats are typically black and tan, red and white, orange and white, lemon and white or tricolor. Both males and females range in size between 12 and 16 inches and 10 to 25 pounds. They are pack hunters that do well in both the kennel and the home.
Greyhound (England): The Greyhound is one of the oldest breeds and comes in a variety of colors such as black, gray, fawn and red. Of these colors, they can be solid, brindle or spotted. Both males and females range in height from 27 to 30 inches and 60 to 70 pounds. They are lean, muscular and very affectionate and kind.
Irish Wolfhound (Ireland): These are the tallest breed of dogs, growing up to 32 inches. They range in weight from 105 pounds for females and 120 pounds for males. Despite their size, they are very gentle and their coats come in gray, brindle, red, black, white or fawn.
Terriers
Airedale Terrier (England): These dogs are considered the king of the terriers. Females range between 22 and 23 inches and 23 to 24 inches for males. These 47 pound dogs are courageous and meant for guarding their home. They are typically tan and black .
Bull Terrier (England): This dog has an egg shaped head and is typically white with patches of red, black or brindle on their heads. While this is the standard coloring, they can also be black, red, fawn or brindle. They are stocky dogs and can reach up to 72 pounds, though they are usually only 18 inches in height. They are even-tempered and stubborn.
Wire Fox Terrier (England): This 15 inch and 17 pound dog is usually white with black, liver or red markings. They are bred for rat-catching and thoroughly enjoy digging. They are also extremely smart, though certainly have a mind of their own.
Scottish Terrier (Scotland): This friendly dog has a long beard and ranges in weight from 19 to 23 pounds and 10 to 11 inches in height. They are usually wheat, brindle or black in color and have large pricked ears as well as a friendly, outgoing temperament.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (England): Females of this breed range in height from 13 to 15 inches and 23-25 pounds and 14 to 16 inches and 25 to 38 pounds for males. They are multicolored, ranging from black, blue, fawn or brindle and typically have white markings. They are very powerful and muscular, though also loyal and love to cuddle.
Welsh Terrier (Wales): This small to medium sized dog can be 17 to 19 inches tall and 30 to 40 pounds. They are deep tan with black markings and love to work. They were bred to catch rats and do this, and everything else they are trained to do, cheerfully.
Working & Herding Dogs
Akita (Japan): Females range from 23 to 26 inches tall and 63 to 110 pounds while males range from 25 to 28 inches and 85 to 130 pounds. They are muscular, bossy and intelligent and their coloring includes pinto brindle, gray and white.
Bernese Mountain Dog (Switzerland): This dog was bred to pull carts and is very easy to train. Females range in size from 23 to 26 inches and 70 to 100 pounds and males are 25 to 27 inches and 90 to 120 pounds. They are usually black with tan and white markings as well as friendly and very intelligent.
Border Collie (Scotland/England): These exceptional herding dogs range from 18 to 23 inches and 30 to 45 pounds. They are usually black, sable or blue merle with white or tan markings and they are arguably the most intelligent and alert dogs. They are agile, stronger than they look and require a great deal of work to keep them happy.
Boxer (Germany): This guard dog is perfect for families because while they will not start a fight, they will never back down from one either. Females are usually 21 to 23 inches and 55 to 59 pounds, while males are typically 22 to 25 inches and 66-70 pounds. Their coats or often fawn or brindle and usually have white flashings and a black mask. They can occasionally be all white as well.
Doberman Pinscher (Germany): This dog, bred for police work, ranges in size from 25 inches and 73 pounds for females and 27 inches and 83 pounds for males. They are lean, energetic and powerful with coats in black, blue, fawn or red.
German Shepherd (Germany): This dog is multi-talented and can be used as a guide dog, police dog, drug dog or herding dog as well as a family pet. Females range in size from 22 to 24 inches and 65 pounds while males are often 24 to 26 inches and 80 pounds. They have an even temper and come in a variety of colors such as black, black and tan, sable and white with cream markings.
Great Dane (Denmark/Germany): These giants range in height from 28 to 30 inches and 101 to 119 pounds. Their coloring is usually fawn, brindle, blue, black or harlequin. They are kind, noble and sturdy.
Rottweiler (Germany): This guard dog ranges in size from 23 to 25 inches and 85 pounds for females to 25 to 27 inches and 110 pounds for males. They are black with tan markings as well as fearless, agile and exceptionally strong.
Companion (Non-Sporting) Dogs
Boston Terrier (United States): This dog was originally considered a mutt as it’s a cross between the English white terrier and the bulldog. It ranges in size from 15 to 17 inches and 10 to 25 pounds. It is a smart dog and very observant and its coat cat be black with white markings, seal or brindle.
Bulldog (England): While short, this dog is heavy ranging in size from 12 to 15 inches and 45 to 55 pounds. They can be solid white, brindle, red or fawn and are loving and single minded.
Chow Chow (China): This dog has a tightly curled tail and pricked ears, ranging in size from 18 to 20 inches and 55 pounds for females and 19 to 22 inches and 59 pounds for males. They are independent but loyal and range in color from black, blue, cinnamon, red and cream.
Dalmatian (Croatia): This fire dog ranges in size from 19 to 23 inches and 40 to 60 pounds and are easily recognized by their black or liver spots on a white background. They are also used as a carriage dog, and are typically sociable and kind.
Keeshond (Netherlands/Germany): Ranging in size from 16 to 19 inches and 35 to 45 pounds, this trusting and happy dog absolutely adores people. They are usually a mix of gray, cream and black in color.
Poodles (Germany): This dog is great at tricks and agility and can range in size from 10 to 21 inches and 6 to 65 pounds, depending on whether it is standard, miniature or toy. Their coats do not shed and they are very intelligent.
Toy Dogs
Bichon Frise (Spain/Belgium): This beautiful dog has a high curled tail and corkscrew curls. They range in size from 9 to 11 inches and 6 to 13 pounds. Their white coats with cream highlights are silky to the touch.
Chihuahua (Mexico): This brave, high spirited dog has a noticeable bark and ranges in size from 6 to 9 inches and 2 to 6 pounds. They can be long or short haired and fawn, black and tan or cream in coloring.
Pomeranian (Germany/Poland): This tiny dog has a lion-like mane around its head and ranges in size from 8 to 11 inches and 3 to 7 pounds. It is usually a solid color of black, cream or orange.
Pug (China): This sturdy dog has a short nosed face and curled tail and is usually 10 to 11 inches tall and 14 to 17 pounds. They can be black, apricot or silver and often have a black muzzle or mask.
Yorkshire Terrier (England): This popular toy breed has long hair colored in blue and tan, although they are born black and tan. They range in size from 8 to 9 inches and 7 pounds.
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