Dog Breeds: The Complete Guide to All Types of Dogs

Dog breeds now exceed 400 varieties, and with the addition of native breeds from various countries and emerging designer dogs, the number continues to grow. To categorize so many breeds clearly and memorably, the most practical approach isn’t rote memorization, but grasping a few “main themes”—like grouping all dogs into “families.”

I.  Classification of Dog Breeds by Working Purpose

1. Dog breeds: Sheepdogs · Cattle dogs

Representative Slogan: High IQ, High Energy, Eyes Fixed on You
Typical Representatives: Border Collie, German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Collie, Welsh Corgi
Characteristics: Incredibly intelligent, bursting with energy, naturally adept at “reading minds,” and will find their own tasks if not given work.
Keywords: Intense gaze, quick reactions, medium build, double coat

2. Dog Breeds: Gun Dogs · Hunting Dogs

Retrievers: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Characteristics: Gentle mouth (carries game intact without damage), water-loving, most sociable temperament
Pointers/Setters: English Pointer, English Setter, Weimaraner
Characteristics: Freeze upon detecting game (hence “pointer”)
Spaniels: English Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel
Characteristics: Medium-sized, long ears, excel at flushing birds from thickets

3. Dog Breeds: Scent Hounds · Tracking Dogs

Sight Hounds (fast runners with keen noses): Beagles, Greyhounds, Rottweilers… wait, no Rottweilers—Greyhounds, Weimaraners, Afghan Hounds
Pure Scent Hounds (slower but with unmatched noses): Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds (the ones with ears dragging on the ground), Dachshunds

4. Terrier Group

Motto: Who’s afraid of who? I was born to fight.
Representatives: Jack Russell Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Scottish Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier (Stafford), American Pit Bull Terrier
Characteristics: Fearless, tenacious, will dig three feet underground to kill a rat/badger, fiery temperament, easily takes issue with other dogs

5. Dog Breeds: Working Dogs and Guard Dogs

Sled Dogs: Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed
Livestock Guardians: Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherd
Property/Human Guardians: Rottweiler, Doberman, Bullmastiff, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland
Pulling/Hauling: Bernese Mountain Dog, Rottweiler

6. Companion Dog Breeds

Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Pug, Bichon Frise, Papillon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bali Dog, Shih Tzu
Plus some “retired” aristocrats: Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Japanese Chin

7. Guard Dog Breeds

Many not recognized by FCI, but most familiar to Chinese people: Chinese Native Dog, Tibetan Mastiff, Chow Chow, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Akita, Shiba Inu, Shaanbei Mastiff, Tang Dog Reconstructed Type…

II. Dog Breeds Classified by Body Type

1. Toy: ≤25cm (Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian)
2. Small: 25–40cm (Beagle, Corgi, Pug, Cocker Spaniel)
3. Medium: 40–60cm (Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Border Collie, Siberian Husky, Shiba Inu)
4. Large: 60–75 cm, German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Rottweiler
5. Giant: Over 75 cm, Tibetan Mastiff, Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Irish Wolfhound

III. Dog Breeds Classified by Coat Type

1. Double Coat:
Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Golden Retriever, Border Collie, Corgi, German Shepherd, Poodle, Bernese Mountain Dog…
Shed twice yearly like snowfall
2. Single Coat:
Poodle, Bichon Frise, Portuguese Water Dog, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Bedlington Terrier
3. Long Silky Coat:
Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Afghan Hound, Shetland Sheepdog, Yunnan Dog
4. Wire-Haired:
All Terriers, Schnauzer
5. Hairless/Semi-Hairless:
Chinese Crested, Mexican Hairless, American Hairless Terrier

IV. Distinctive Traits of Each “Family”

Sheepdogs: Give me work or I’ll wreck the house
Gun Dogs: Everyone’s darling, brave through fire and water
Terriers: Born with a rebellious streak
Scent Hounds: My nose works better than your brain
Sled Dogs: If they can run, they can cause trouble
Companion Dogs: Pet me, and I’ll love you
Guard Dogs: If I don’t move, you better not either

A Simple Mnemonic:

Want a non-shedder? → Poodle, Bichon Frise, Schnauzer
Want the smartest? → Border Collie (1st), Poodle (2nd), German Shepherd (3rd)
Want the most affectionate? → Golden Retriever, Labrador
Want the coolest? → Shiba Inu, Akita, Siberian Husky
Want the easiest? → Farm Dog
Want the most imposing? → Tibetan Mastiff, Caucasian Shepherd, Great Dane
The dog world mirrors humans: scholars (sheepdogs), athletes (gun dogs), hotheads (terriers), artists (Afghan Hounds), honest souls (Golden Retrievers), meme stars (Shiba Inus), little darlings (companion dogs)… Choosing a dog is about choosing a personality. Pick one whose rhythm matches yours—then it will truly be happy, and you’ll truly have peace of mind.

V. How to Choose the Dog That Fits You Best

Here’s a “dog selection formula” I’ve used for years:
Lifestyle × Living Space × Family Members × Dog-Rearing Experience = Suitable Breed Group
A few examples:
996 workaholic + 50 sqm apartment + no kids = Companion dog or small terrier (French Bulldog, Boston Terrier)
Suburban yard + loves running + kids = Golden Retriever, Labrador, Border Collie
Guard dog + prefers aloof, independent temperament = Shiba Inu, Akita, Caucasian Shepherd
Want lazy yet obedient dog = Cavalier King Charles Spaniel