Understanding Dog Breed Groups: The Categories That Define Them
- TJ Gibbons
- Mar 31
- 11 min read
When it comes to our canine companions, understanding the various dog breed groups can enhance our appreciation for their unique characteristics and traits. Dog breed groups categorise breeds based on shared traits, functions, and histories, providing insight into their behaviors, temperaments, and physical attributes. Whether you're a seasoned dog owner, a prospective pet parent, or simply a dog enthusiast, exploring these groups can help you decide the right breed for your lifestyle. Choosing the right breed is crucial to a happy home and a great pet. Picking the wrong breed for your situation could lead to dire consequences.
The Kennel Club are one of the most well-known dog organisations in the UK, famous for hosting Crufts, providing training and qualifications for dog trainers and policing breed-specific qualities to keep the bloodlines strong and ensure good parentage. You can get dog insurance through them, too.
They also have information on many (223) dog breeds that they classify as a breed, which they categorise into breed groups. These are the groups we will look at today.
In this blog post, we will delve into the different dog breed groups, highlighting their distinct qualities and what makes each group special.
Why are breeds categorised and why does it matter?
When some people look for a dog, they go off looks and looks alone, assuming that all dogs are the same and that it will fit into their lifestyle no matter what.
That is not the case, and yet it is a mistake that gets made by so many people.
Dog breeds vary greatly. From Doodle mixes to Great Danes. Every breed has its unique characteristics and traits, and within that breed umbrella, each dog will be slightly different, just like humans.
Much of the time when dogs end up in shelters or being dumped, it's because the owners didn't do their research before getting their dog and the breed didn't match their needs or the dog was too much work.
When getting a dog, be it a puppy or an adult rescue dog, it is important that you do your research before promising to look after that dog for the rest of their life. If you are a couch potato, getting a German Shepherd or a Border Collie probably isn't a great idea. Likewise, if you are the most adventurous person going and you spend all weekend hiking in the mountains, you'll want a dog that can keep up with you, not a Papillon who only requires 30 minutes (ish) of exercise daily.
To add another layer of complexity, mixed breeds can inherit traits from both parents equally or may exhibit characteristics that lean more towards one breed than the other in terms of appearance and behavior. If you're considering a mixed breed and know the parent breeds, it's essential to do your research to understand what traits you might encounter and be prepared for the experience ahead.
It is important to note that all dogs need physical and mental stimulation, no matter the size or breed. All dogs also need training in order to be the perfect companion. You should also be aware that most dog breeds were bred to work and so will need a lot of attention and things to keep them busy. If you are looking for a lower energy lap dog, the toy breeds might be your group of dogs!
For more information on mental stimulation ideas, check out my blog post on it here. You can also read up on ways to physically tire your dog out here.
For trick training ideas, you can read this post, and for building a better bond between you and your dog, this is the post for you!
Matching the dog to the requirements of the home or job is crucial for a happy dog and happy owner.
Working breeds are categorised to make it easier for handlers to know what breed would work best for them.
According to the Kennel Club, as of March 2025, there are 7 breed groups. They are:
Gundogs
Hounds
Herding (Pastoral) dogs
Utility dogs
Terriers
Working breeds
Toy Breeds
Let's dive into the breed groups, what they mean and the types of dog's you'll find within that group.
Gundogs
Pros | Cons |
High-energy - great for active households. | Need a lot of exercise. |
Super smart. | Need a lot of consistent training. |
Great pets if their needs are met. | Can become destructive and hard to manage if bored or under-stimulated. |
According to the Kennel Club, there are 38 Gundog breeds. These dogs are bred specifically for their strong scenting abilities, intelligence and excellent instincts. They assist hunters and game keepers in locating, retrieving and handling game (like rabbits, pheasants, etc). It can take years to train a gundog to the point of being reliable to work consistently well, they are mostly high-energy dogs with lots of brain power. They love to work, enjoy being challenged and are sociable with other dogs and people alike, most of the time! Most gundogs are highly trainable but are susceptible to behaviour issues if under-worked or they become bored. Due to their genetic traits, gundogs are prone to obesity if they don't get the required exercise. Some Labradors even have an issue where they do not know if they are full due to a 'crossed wire' in their brains, and they can just keep eating!
Remember, each dog is different, and their genes and past experiences may affect their personality and needs.
While all gundogs have similar purposes, many of the breeds vary in their specialties.
Retrievers' expertise lay in the name! They can collect shot game and bring it back to their owner. They have a super gentle bite and are most commonly used to collect waterfowl. Common Retriever breeds include Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.
Spaniels are famous for flushing out game from bushes and also collecting shot game. They are versatile, high-energy and highly trainable, though they are prone to anxiety and aggression issues if poorly bred. The most popular Spaniels are the English Springer Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel. King Charles Spaniels are not gundogs.
Setters are trained to locate game and crouch (set) to indicate it's location for their owners to find. They are often friendly and are commonly used to hunt up-land game birds. The Gordon Setter, English Setter and Irish Setter are the most common.
Pointers, again, do exactly as their name suggests. Once game has been located, they point in it's direction, indicating its location. They hold that position until told otherwise. They are well known for their agility and incredible sense of smell. English Pointers and German Short-haired Pointers are common finds within this group.
Gundogs are great for families that are highly active and have plenty of time to train their dogs consistently, and of course, they are the perfect choice of working dogs. Labradors are often used as service dogs and guide dogs due to their gentle personalities and high trainability. These breeds are unlikely to be happy to stay at home for 8 hours a day and commonly cause issues if they are bored. These dogs thrive off working and being busy. That is not to say they cannot make great family pets, but be aware they need plenty of exercise, training and mental stimulation. If you are looking for a lap dog, look elsewhere!
Hounds
Pros | Cons |
Many are high-energy - great for active households. Some low-energy breeds, too. | Some need a lot of exercise. |
Super smart. | Independent - can be tricky to train. |
Great pets if their needs are met. | Prone to aggression and reactivity if not trained correctly. |
Hounds vary a lot in size and energy levels, though they are all intelligent and normally independent. This can lead to training difficulties, and it's always worth consulting a Hound-specific trainer or behaviourist for any concerns you might be facing.
Hounds were bred to hunt game from small rabbits to larger birds and even deer.
They require plenty of physical and mental exercise and are not recommended for first-time dog owners.
There are two types of Hounds:
Sight hounds
Sight hounds have incredible eyesight and can spot game from much further away than most other breeds. They are fast and are typically used for hunting larger game. Common Sight Hounds include Greyhounds, Whippets and the Saluki. Graceful and speedy, though genetics can lead to anxiety issues and allergy problems.
Scent hounds
These are dogs like the Basset Hound, Bloodhound and Beagles. They are more likely to follow a scent than to listen to your commands as their genetics tell them to! They are often vocal dogs and can sniff out treats from a fair old distance.
When providing mental stimulation for dogs, it is important to work with their strengths. For example, when working with Scent hounds, hiding treats around the house or getting them to differentiate scents can be great for them.
Herding (Pastoral) dogs
Pros | Cons |
Many are high-energy - great for active households. | Typically require 2 hours+ of exercise daily. |
Super smart. | High prey drive and strong herding instincts. |
Loyal to their main owner. | Prone to aggression and reactivity if not trained correctly. |
Some of the most intense dogs out there fall into this category, and there's a reason for that. These dogs were bred to herd and protect livestock, and so have high prey drives that are instinctive; this cannot be trained out. Though not all, many of these dogs will struggle living with small pets. My German Shepherd Dog cross, Anayah, is a perfect example of this! I have 4 rabbits in the garden and she constantly thinks that they are snacks for her to catch (don't worry, she can't get to them!).
Many of these dogs require more than 2 hours of exercise a day, which includes physical and mental stimulation. They often do well in dog sports, or as military dogs or service dogs.
Because they tend to be bigger, they are prone to health issues like hip dysplasia, and many are reactive, anxious and vocal.
These dogs are not recommended for first-time dog owners, and if placed in a family setting, they can struggle (again, not all of them and many even thrive with a family).
This list includes some dogs to be considered dangerous breeds, which makes finding groomers and vets a challenge.
Due to their genes, if not socialised and trained properly, or if poorly bred, many of these breeds can struggle with reactivity and aggression.
Some breeds that fall into this category are:
Border Collies
Corgi's
Old English Sheepdog
Belgian Malinois
Australian Shepherd
Australian Cattle Dog
Utility dogs
Pros | Cons |
Many are high-energy - great for active households. Some low-energy breeds, too. | Not suitable for all homes and families. |
Super smart and versatile in their skills. | Require a lot of training. |
Strong bonds between the family/owner and the dog. | Can cost more than other breed groups in training, grooming, food & health issues. |
Utility dogs vary a lot in size and needs, though many can be loving family pets if their needs are met. They are versatile in their strengths and abilities and range from dogs like the Akita to the Poodle, with others including the Shar Pei and the Dalmatian.
Many of the breeds in this group are highly trainable, intelligent and require a lot of training and stimulation, both physical and mental.
They can be great service and therapy dogs, though due to poor breeding, a lot of the breeds are prone to health and temperment issues. Always do your research to check what you could be in for if breeding wasn't up to the highest of standards. Many can be loving family pets, but only if their needs are met. Behaviour issues can creep in if they are bored or untrained.
Terriers
Pros | Cons |
Crazy energy levels and can go for hours. | Not suitable for all homes and families. |
Smart and affectionate. | Require a lot of training and can be stubborn. |
Smaller dogs, great for small homes. | Some breeds can be very vocal, and many have high prey drives. |
Terror Terriers, they are often described as by their owners. Terriers are lively, affectionate dogs, smaller in size and are always the life of the party, and not always for the right reasons.
Like all dogs, Terriers are prone to behaviour issues if their needs aren't met, yet for smaller dogs, these issues aren't usually spotted until they have become awful for both owner(s) and dogs. You may have heard the term "Little Dog Syndrome," often used to excuse the poor behaviour. This is not an excuse in the slightest, and just because they are small, it doesn't mean they don't require training. They can be assertive and bossy, and very talkative, especially when it comes to barking at the mailman.
These dogs are stubborn to a fault and sometimes too smart for their own good. They require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to be happy.
Their coats can be harder to groom and many require professional grooming often to keep on top of them.
It's not all bad, though! So long as you train and socialise your Terrier, they can be loving, loyal pets, and many are great family friends. They are fun, have a great sense of humour and are smaller, so they don't take up quite so much space. A fast-paced walk for you could be considered a run in their world with their smaller legs! They love to play and are happy companions. Many live a lot longer than larger dogs, too, so that's a bonus!
Common Terrier breeds include the Jack Russell Terrier, Airedale Terrier, Scottish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier.
Working breeds
Pros | Cons |
High-energy dogs, great for active homes. | Not suitable for all homes and families. Some very large, strong breeds. |
Smart. | Require a lot of training. |
A wide range of sizes and strengths. | Some breeds can be very vocal, and many have high prey drives. |
This is the "overflow" group of working dog breeds that don't fit into the other categories, including Sled dogs (e.g. Siberian husky), Guard dogs (people and livestock) (e.g. Doberman and Tibetan Mastiff) and Rescue dogs (e.g. St. Bernard).
Similar to the other working breeds, many of these dogs are high-energy and require a lot of training and physical exercise, some needing more than 2 hours a day. Some of these dogs are large and strong, not for the faint hearted or the weak-muscled. Most of these can be great service dogs and many make great pets so long as their stimulation needs are met.
Toy breeds
Pros | Cons |
Small and bred to be companions. | Fragile. |
Affectionate. | Require a lot of training. |
Less energetic than many other breeds - they require less exercise. | Some breeds can be very vocal, and many can be stubborn. |
Toy breeds were mainly bred to be companions for royalty and the public. These dogs are quite happy to be carried around in handbags and sit on your lap all day, apart from smallish walks and some play time. These dogs tend to be great family pets, though some are prone to aggression and used to getting their own way. As with all dogs, they require training and thrive off mental stimulation, though they might be slower to solve problems and learn tricks than other breeds.
They are small dogs and are a great choice for those living in apartments or small homes. They are loving and loyal, cheaper to feed, and you can take them into many shops so long as you are carrying them. These dogs work well for elderly and less mobile folks who still want a companion but are unable to meet the needs of larger, more energetic dogs.
There you have it, the 7 dog breed categories as laid out by The Kennel Club. Doing your homework on what breed of dog will match your situation best is your first, and maybe most important, role as a dog owner. Bringing the wrong breed into your life could mean damaged spirits and a broken home. Bringing the correct breed of dog into your life can result in an amazing bond and memories that will last a lifetime.
No matter the dog breed or size, all dogs require physical and mental stimulation as well as training in order for them to be the perfect companion.
Getting a rescue dog can be amazing, but they can also come with behavioural issues that might be hard to train out. I always, always recommend getting a rescue instead of buying a puppy, though I understand that isn't possible for everyone.
All dogs, even dogs of the same breed, can have different traits and will have their unique personalities, so it's important to remember that even if you have chosen a very specific breed for a specific purpose, the dog might not be all you expect, and that's okay!
Having a dog in your life is so rewarding, and they can be such a great support for those with mental health issues or other health conditions.
Over the coming months, I will be going into detail about dog breeds and their traits, best training methods and common health and behaviour issues, if you don't want to miss them, sigh up to the mailing list to be notified every time a blog post goes live! You can find the sign-up form on the Contact page of the website.
See you soon!
TJ
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