| "> | | | | The list is divided into the following seven groups and |
| The American Kennel Club dog breed list is a United | | | | one class. |
| States registry of purebred dog pedigrees. This | | | | Working Group: The Working Group includes 25 large |
| registration is needed by breeders to sell registered | | | | breeds that are bred for the purpose of labor. Jobs like |
| puppies or for purebred show or sports participation. | | | | guarding property or livestock and pulling carts. |
| The AKC breed list included 900,000 dogs in 2006. | | | | Hound Group: The Hound Group has 26 breeds that |
| This count included 123,760 Labrador Retrievers, | | | | are instinctual hunters like sight hounds and scent |
| 48,346 Yorkshire Terriers, 43,575 German Shepherds, | | | | hounds. |
| 42,962 Golden Retrievers and 39,484 Beagles. These | | | | Sporting Group: The Sporting Group has 28 dog |
| dogs have to be the offspring of parents registered as | | | | breeds that include Pointers, Retrievers, Setters and |
| the same breed with the AKC to even qualify for | | | | Spaniels that are known for tracking down and |
| inclusion in the list. The litter that the dog is born into | | | | catching birds. |
| must also be registered with the AKC. | | | | Non-Sporting Group: 18 breeds that some believe don't |
| Critics of the AKC are quick to point out flaws in the | | | | fit into any of the other AKC breed dog list categories. |
| registry. For instance, while the list guidelines do confirm | | | | The Terrier Group: The Terrier Group has 28 feisty |
| that both parents were registered as one recognized | | | | breeds that are bred to hunt vermin both above |
| breed, the guidelines pay no attention to the health or | | | | ground and below ground in burrows or lairs. |
| show quality of the blood lines. Going by list gives you | | | | The Toy Group: 23 small companion dog breeds like |
| no insight into the quality of the dog breeder or the | | | | Poodles and Pekinese that are commonly referred to |
| conditions the puppy was raised. The AKC has never | | | | as lap dogs. |
| really set forth any health standards for registration. | | | | |