A breed group is a categorization of related breeds of animal by an overseeing organization, used to organize the showing of animals. In dogs, kennel clubs define the Breed Groups and decide which dog breeds are to be included in each breed group. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale breed groups are used to organize dogs for international competition. Breed groups often have the names of, and are loosely based on, ancestral dog types of modern dog breeds.
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The Fédération Cynologique Internationale makes sure that dogs in its 84 member countries can compete together, by establishing common nomenclature and making sure that pedigrees are mutually recognized in all the member countries. So internationally, dog breeds are organized in ten groups, each with subsections according to breed type and origin.[1]
The Kennel Club (UK) is the original and oldest kennel club; it is not a member of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. For The Kennel Club, dogs are placed in the following groups:[2]
Working is here meant to indicate dogs that are not hunting dogs that work directly for people, such as police dogs, search and rescue dogs, and others. It does not imply that other types of dogs do not work. Dogs that work with livestock are in the Pastoral Group.
The Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand Kennel Club recognize similar groups to The Kennel Club.
Australian National Kennel Council recognized Breed Groups:[3]
New Zealand Kennel Club recognized Breed Groups:[4]
The Canadian Kennel Club and the two major kennel clubs in the United States have similar groups, although they may not include the same dogs in the same groupings. Canadian Kennel Club recognized Breed Groups:[5]
American Kennel Club recognized breed groups:[6]
United Kennel Club (US) recognized breed groups:[7]
The major national kennel club for each country will organize breeds in breed groups. The naming and organization of breed groups may vary from country to country. In addition, some rare new breeds or newly documented traditional breeds may be awaiting approval by a given kennel club, and may not yet be assigned to a particular breed group.
In addition to the major registries, there are a nearly infinite number of sporting clubs, breed clubs, minor kennel clubs, and internet-based breed registries and dog registration businesses in which breeds may be organized into whatever breed group the club, minor registry, or dog business may devise.[8]