The 200 breeds make out by the American Kennel Club are separated into seven groups — but we added a fillip one .

With so many case of andiron — low ones , big ace , hairy ones , hairless ones , bootleg ones , white ones , faineant ones , active ace — there are peck of ways to sort through more than 200 breeds .

But when it occur to separate them for blackguard show , the American Kennel Club has us covered . The registry sorts the 200 breeds it recognise into seven radical : Herding , Hound , Non - Sporting , Sporting , Terrier , Toy , and Working .

miniature Schnauzer on leash with woman

Photo: Daily Paws / Brie Passano Goldman

Then there are the hybrid dog breeds , the puppy who are mixes of two or more breeds . Because they are n’t purebred , you wo n’t see them at conformation dog shows — though of course we still roll in the hay ourLabradoodlesandCavapoos .

Here ’s what you need to know about each group if you want to be prepared for when theNational Dog Showis back on TV .

Herding Group

Pretty ego - explanatory here . These 32 dog breeds were to begin with bred to herd livestock like sheep , and many of these dogs still do that job . Others , meanwhile , settle for herding their humankind around the yard .

Generally , these are high - energy dogs who love accept a job to do or apuzzleto solve . The acrobatic , overbold puppy often excel in canine competitions likeagilityordock diving . Other breeds from this group serve asK-9 officers , search - and - saving dogs , ordetection wienerwurst .

Here are the most popular herding breeds ( accordingto the AKC ):

Bloodhound laying on grass in front of a lake

Jeremy Woodhouse / Getty

Hound Group

Awooooo ! Welcome to a group full of floppy pinna and powerful noses . Many of these andiron are eager hunt companions , though they ’ll certainly love spending metre in the planetary house with you .

Most of these breeds make excellent trackers as well , whether it ’s for biz orpeople who ’ve cash in one’s chips missing . Some of the bigger breeds were spawn tohunt large animals , yet this group also sports some ofthe fastest hound in the world .

Behold , the most pop dog from the radical of 32 :

Long-haired white tibetan terrier lays on wooden platform

happyimages / Adobe Stock

Non-Sporting Group

This group is basically the Hufflepuff of the heel show world , taking " all the rest " of the dog who do n’t match the specific characteristics the other mathematical group require .

That ’s why the Non - Sporting Group is such an eclectic mix of 21 breeds . They total in all sizes , physique , and spots , but they each make excellent pet .

Here are the most pop breeds of this mathematical group :

Brittany spaniel dog stands on point in water

everydoghasastory / Adobe Stock

Sporting Group

Here ’s a collection of more fighting detent breeds , some of the AKC ’s most - lovedretrievers , setters , and spaniels . They ’re just as eager to pass clip at home playing with you as they are trace .

These dogs also sport some of the long , pretty coats in the pawl cosmos — double-dyed for the pups who love float or recover bird from the water .

Here are America ’s dearie from the group of 33 :

yorkie with a cute haircut walking with her owner on an urban street

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Terrier Group

Again , pretty self - explanatory . These are all terriers of some kind , a group of mostly small 31 strain who are passably spirited .

They were originally breed to track down and kill vermin — and they were quite undecomposed at it . That energy and determination is why any terrier owner needs to make indisputable their dog always has something to do .

Here are the five most popular terrier :

Alaskan Malamute running in snow

Nicola Colombo / Getty

Toy Group

The little ones ! Thelap dogs , staring for people who do n’t have a great yard ( or any yard at all ) . What they miss in size they make up for in amusement time value — just check that your apartment neighbour do n’t mind the occasional yapping .

Many of these pup will also run a higher dressing measure than some , so be sure to moot that before you bring one of these 23 lowly strain plate .

Here are the most popular Toy Group breeds :

Two girls embrace blond labradoodle from both sides on outdoor deck

Mint Images / Getty Images

Working Group

And now it ’s Big Boi Season . This appeal of mostly large dogs was bred to hunt down big game , protect livestock , and draw sleds or wagons . ( No , you donotget to rally them as if they ’re horses . )

You do need enough space to own one of these furry giants , not to mention enough strength if they pull on their trio . While they ’re loving family members , they might not know their own durability around trivial human race .

Here are the most popular of the 31 working blackguard :

Hybrids, Mixes, and Mutts

Sadly , not all of our favorite dog are going to make the dog show stage reserve for purebred canines . But that does n’t keep you from carry home a mongrel from the shelter or anallergy - friendly hybridfrom aresponsible breeder . You ’ll bang them as much as any other frankfurter .

Here are some of our favorites :