Dogs are divided into groups according to the purpose for which they have been bred.
| Group |
Purpose |
Representative Breeds |
| Sporting dogs |
Retrieving game birds |
Cocker spaniel, English setter, English and water fowl springer spaniel, golden retriever, Irish setter, Labrador retriever, pointer |
| Hounds |
Hunting |
Basenji, beagle, dachshund, foxhound, greyhound, saluki, Rhodesian ridgeback |
| Terriers |
Hunting small animals such as rats and foxes |
Airedale terrier, Bedlington terrier, bull terrier, fox terrier, miniature schnauzer, Scottish terrier, Skye terrier, West Highland white terrier |
| Toy dogs |
Small companions or lap dogs |
Chihuahua, Maltese, Pekingese, Pomeranian, pug, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire terrier |
| Herding dogs |
Protect sheep and other livestock |
Australian cattle dog, bouviers des Flandres, collie, German shepherd, Hungarian puli, Old English sheepdog, Welsh corgi |
| Working dogs |
Herding, rescue, and sled dogs |
Alaskan malamute, boxer, Doberman pinscher, Great Dane, mastiff, St. Bernard, Siberian husky |
| Non-sporting dogs |
No specific purpose, not toys |
Boston terrier, bulldog, Dalmatian, Japanese akita, keeshond, Lhasa apso, poodle |
