Already in the Bronze Age, about 10 000 years ago, the first attempts of breeding a domestic dog appeared. Today, more than 350 dog breeds are registered with the FCI.
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale, the largest umbrella organization for dog ownership and breeding clubs, now counts over 350 recognized dog breeds. Worldwide, a good 800 breeds can be assumed, whereby a distinction must be made here between dog breeds and varieties of a breed.
Here you can go directly to the dog breed profiles.
How to define dog breeds?
Dog breeds are often defined by organizations. Rules and standards are determined by each of these organizations for themselves. But in general it is common that depending on the breed of dog, the height at the withers, roughly speaking the shoulder height, as well as the length and color of the coat or the design of the ears and muzzle play a role.
For the term “dog breed”, the FCI follows the definition of Raymond Triquet, which can be found in the “Encyclopedia of Dogs”:
“The breed is a group of individuals that share common characteristics that distinguish them from other members of their species and are transmissible through heredity. The species arises naturally, whereas the breed is the result of breeding within the framework of cynology.” (Raymond Triquet, “Encyclopedia of Dogs”).
This contrasts species that arise naturally with dog breeds that are created by humans in the first place.
Classification in FCI groups
The FCI gives each breed a specific designation that identifies the breed as such. The designation is based on the subdivision into corresponding groups and sections.
- FCI Group 1: This includes shepherd dogs and cattle dogs. A German Shepherd Dog would be eizuordnen accordingly: FCI Group 1, Section 1.
- FCI Group 2: This group includes Pinscher and Schnauzer in the first section. In the second section there are Great Danes and Mountain Dogs. The third section includes Swiss Mountain Dogs, while the fourth section is reserved for so-called other breeds that cannot be assigned to the following groups.
- FCI Group 3: Terriers and their subspecies.
- FCI Group 4: includes the Dachshunds.
- FCI Group 5 : This includes the top and so-called dogs of the archetype classified. These include European and Asian Spitz, Nordic Sled Dogs, Nordic Hunting Dogs, and Nordic Guard and Herding Dogs.
- FCI Group 6: This includes the running dogs and bloodhounds.
- FCI Group 7: This includes the pointing dogs (like most spaniels and setters).
- FCI Group 8: Here are classified the retrieving, rummaging and water dogs, such as the Labrodor retriever (FCI Group 8, Section 1).
- FCI Group 9: This includes social and companion dogs. These include Bichons, Poodles, Pekinese, Tibetan dog breeds, hairless dogs, and small mastiff-like dogs. A Chihuahua would be classified in FCI Group 9, Section 6.
- FCI Group 10: The last group of dog breeds are the greyhounds.
How is a dog breed created?
Breeds are created through breeding, a controlled reproduction with the goal of genetic modification. Desirable properties should be enhanced, undesirable properties minimized. Thus, a trait can only be reinforced in a new breeding animal if the parent animals already carry it. Breeding is carried out under established rules. If you want to use your dog as a breeding animal, you have to undergo a breeding value assessment. In this, it is found out which positive or negative characteristics the breeding animal would genetically bring along.
Peat dog: the first way to a dog breed
The first breeding on a dog dates back to the Bronze Age and the Neolithic period. Researchers found bones from the first domestic dogs of mankind in prehistoric Swiss pile dwelling settlements: the Peat Dog or Peat Dog. The skulls were already smaller than wolf skulls and some specimens had kill marks. It can be concluded that peat dogs that did not possess the desired characteristics were killed.
From the description peat dogs resembled wolf tips. For a long time, therefore, the Torfhund was discussed as the ancestor of the Wolfsspitz, but this view is now considered outdated.
Peat dogs were hunting companions and sled dogs for prehistoric people. Graves that were dug especially for the animal companions, like the Zschernitz grave of a peat dog with her puppy, already testifies to a bond between man and animal.
From farm animal to pet
Even into the Middle Ages, there were hardly more than 12 breeds of dogs. They were classified according to their main use. Among them were lead dogs and driving dogs, tracking dogs, greyhounds, shepherd dogs and farm dogs (Hovawarth). In the late Middle Ages, there was already targeted sexual isolation. Thus, breeding with street dogs was avoided from the beginning. For a long time, the most important characteristics of a breed were defined only by agility, endurance and hunting success.
It was not until the 19th century, when the first dog breed standards were established and the first dog shows were organized, that today’s characteristics, such as appearance and color strike, also came under scrutiny. Finally, with the Industrial Revolution, these characteristics became decisive, because dogs were no longer seen as a mere labor force. The useful and domestic animal soon became a pet, which served as an ornament or as a substitute for a partner.
Most dog breeds originated in Great Britain. The first dog show took place on 28. and 29 June 1859 in England. Four years later, from July 14 to 16, 1863, the first dog show was also held in Germany, in Hamburg.
The most popular dog breeds in Germany today include Chihuahua, Labrador, French Bulldog, German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd.
On the following pages these and other dog breeds are described.
Dog breed profiles
