Did you know that there are hundreds of dog breeds in the world? From Akitas to Yorkies, dogs come in all shapes and sizes. There are even some rare dog breeds that only have a few members. Before we talk about how many dog breeds are there here are some of the things you need to know.
Dog Breed Governing Bodies
There are various dog breed governing bodies around the world that regulate purebred dogs. The purpose of these groups is to maintain specific standards for each breed, which means all members must be able to trace their lineage back several generations to join one of these organizations. Some dog breeds have more than one governing body depending on where they originated from or what country they live in. For example, there are two different American Kennel Clubs (AKC) -one based out of New York and another based out of California- while only being represented by a single kennel club with multiple clubs within its structure internationally: the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). There are also national associations such as those found in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom that is not part of one overarching kennel club/Federation. The dog breeds governed by each governing body vary depending on where you live or what country your breed originated from.
Dog Breed Classifications
Dog breeds are divided into groups depending on their size, shape, and function. Some examples of dog breed classifications include companion dogs, guard dogs, hunting dogs, etc… Each type has its unique characteristics that can help you determine which one will best suit your lifestyle. The following few paragraphs describe the different types of dog breed classifications out there so you have a better understanding when it comes time to choosing a new family member.
- Companion Dogs – These breeds were bred specifically for companionship with humans meaning they’re perfect for apartment living or families who live in small homes without much yard space. They tend to be active indoors but do well being walked daily as long as temperatures aren’t too extreme outside.
- Guard Dogs – This type of dog is typically used to protect property or people. They are large, intimidating breeds that may be aggressive towards strangers while being very loving with family members which makes them the perfect choice for families who have children.
- Hunting Dogs- These types of dogs were bred specifically for hunting games and birds so they’re usually energetic, high-energy dogs that need regular exercise to burn off some steam throughout the day. If you live an active lifestyle these could be a good match but if not…they can become destructive quickly without enough outlets for their energy levels.
From small Chihuahuas to huge Mastiffs there are tons of different dog breed classifications out there waiting to become your new best friend!
To determine which dog breed best suits your lifestyle, start by thinking about the size of home you live in and what types of activities you enjoy doing during your free time. For example, if you live in a small apartment with no yard to speak of but love going on long walks then a companion-type dog would be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you have a large property space where dogs are allowed outside then it might be better to consider hunting or guard dogs that can run around freely without having access to an indoor area like most companion breeds need throughout the day.
How Many Known Dog Breeds Are There?
There are so many dog breeds in the world today that it is impossible to count them all. There are over 300 recognized registered by the American Kennel Club and almost as many unregistered ones too! Over 400 different types of dogs have been identified around the world according to Wikipedia, but that doesn’t even scratch the surface of how many there really could be because we still don’t know about every single breed out there. For example, a new species was recently discovered in New Guinea called “The Ringer” which looks like a dingo or wolf-hybrid type thing. That’s not even counting mixes and mutts either (which make up 90%+ of all known pet dogs). We’re looking at hundreds if not thousands of different types of dog breeds in the world today, and that’s a conservative estimate.
There are currently around 370 dog breeds that have been recognized by the international association of kennel clubs. However, this number continues to grow as new information comes in through research and DNA testing. There is also a growing trend for people to breed mixed-breed dogs which makes it difficult to estimate the exact number of known dog breeds worldwide today.
The first-ever official record of dogs being domesticated was discovered on an ancient site called Czestochowa located near Krakow, Poland where archaeologists found bone fragments from over 700 years ago that belonged to what they believe were large domesticated dogs used for hunting purposes at the time. If you compare these numbers with those estimated 500 years later during King Edward I’s reign, it is estimated that the population of dogs spread throughout Britain reached a staggering 100,000.
Most Popular Dog Breeds In The World
There are many different dog breeds in the world, and each has its specific characteristics that make them unique. Some of the most popular dog breeds worldwide include Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, and Beagle. Each breed is known for certain attributes; however, there are also some universal traits found among all dogs such as friendliness and loyalty towards their owners.
People purchase these different types for various reasons including their appearance or temperament but also to participate in activities with them such as hunting or competitive sports. Dogs have become an integral part of our families so much so that there was even recently legislation put forth by congress called “PAWS” which requires airlines to allow pets on planes during travel. This has been quite beneficial because people can now easily transport their dogs across long distances when they move or travel for business reasons.
