How many dog breeds are there?
If you take a look around the (dog) park, you'll probably spot more dog breeds than you can count on one hand. But how many breeds are there worldwide?
That depends on the organization...
According to the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) there are currently 246 recognized dog breeds (as of 2021). However, this number is by no means set in stone. The number of breeds varies depending on the dog breeding association.
In addition to the FCI, the world's largest cynological umbrella organization, there are many other associations such as the AKC (American Kennel Club) and the TKC (The Kennel Club). They all have different requirements for breeds and therefore also different official breed numbers. This means: just because one organization recognizes a dog as an official breed, it doesn't have to apply to all other organizations as well.
400 to 800 dog breeds worldwide
On top of that, so-called designer and hybrid dogs such as →Doodle dog breeds are not even counted towards the total. By now, there are so many crossbreeds and almost forgotten, →rare dogs, that it's estimated there are about 400 to 800 different dog breeds around the world.
No matter how different the breeds are, all four-legged friends agree on one thing: delicious dog food is a must! But it's not just about taste, a healthy recipe should also be important when choosing food. Still unsure which food is right for your furry friend? Then get advice from our →free food consultation from our experts or try one of our sample packs.
Which breed belongs to which group?
Herding dog, driving dog, hunting dog or companion dog? You've probably noticed that some dog breeds have very different personalities while others are quite similar in character. Some of them love to sniff, others are bred for herding livestock, and others are often used as therapy dogs. The FCI therefore divides dog breeds into ten different groups:
Which dog breeds are especially popular?
Among the hundreds of four-legged friends, there are some that always stand out. Whether it's because of their easy-going nature, their loyal work ethic or because they simply look so →cute. The most popular dog breeds worldwide include:
Pomeranian (Pomeranian)
Would you like to learn more about our →Top 10 most popular dog breeds? In our overview we introduce the breeds in more detail and show you what the popular four-legged friends look like.
