Canis lupus familiaris, or the domestic dog as we know it, is the species that includes all dogs kept as pets. All dogs, regardless of their physical appearance (such as size, coat, or colour), belong to the same species and are almost identical genetically.

HOW ARE DOG BREEDS DEVELOPED?

As we discussed, there is still only one species of dog. Why, then, do our animal companions come in such a wide range of species? We humans are responsible for making dogs the most diverse mammal on the planet.

Humans used a process of artificial selection to create the many distinct dog breeds we know today. This involved deliberately mating dogs with similar characteristics so that those traits would be passed on to subsequent generations. Such characteristics would be passed down through the pup-ulation and become increasingly prevalent in that breed over time.

Say you had a red-spotted Dalmatian and you wanted to ensure that any offspring would also have red spots. The likelihood that your Dalmation’s offspring will share its distinctive red coat pattern can be increased by mating it on purpose with another dog that has the trait.

Dogs bred selectively to pass on specific traits could then be used to produce additional canine varieties better suited to specific occupations or environments. In other words, people started breeding dogs specifically for the purpose of making them more efficient at tasks like sled pulling, sheep herding, and hunting. Dog breeds continue to be classified according to their original function.

The Dachshund is a canine breed developed through selective breeding for improved performance in a particular task. Removing badgers from their burrows is the case at hand.

Can you tell me the approximate number of dog breeds that exist?

The number of dog breeds in existence
Dachshunds have short legs, a bold disposition, and a keen sense of smell because they were developed for urban hunting. Dwarf hounds were intentionally bred by humans because of their hunting prowess and tenacity; nevertheless, their shorter stature resulted from a genetic abnormality. This increased the likelihood that puppies and subsequent generations of dogs would inherit short legs, leading to a breed of tiny hunter able to fit through narrow openings. As time went on, the majority of this litter of puppies took on the trademark sausage shape that distinguishes Doxies as a breed, allowing them to be distinguished from the hounds from which they descended.

HOW DOES A DOG BECOME A RECOGNISED BREED?

Recognizing a new dog breed is a process that varies from country to country and from organisation to organisation. The rules of these organisations are uniform. In this country, the Kennel Club is the most important organisation for dog breeders.

The Kennel Club won’t officially recognise a new purebred dog unless it has a sizable population in the United Kingdom and its history can be traced back several generations. The Kennel Club then performs extensive research into the canine population to ensure that it is healthy and representative of the new breed’s history, temperament, and attributes.

It is also necessary to define the characteristics that make a breed desirable. This is essentially a description of the physical traits and personality traits that are inherent to the breed, and all breeders believe that this is an accurate representation of what a purebred example of this breed should look like and act like. The Kennel Club may now officially recognise them as a separate breed.

It’s important to note that the new breed won’t reach the status of a true purebred just yet. When the Kennel Club first recognises a new breed, it is added to the “Imported Breeds Register” until it is determined that it meets the criteria to be included to the “Breeds Register.” The Kennel Club’s official record of all purebred dogs is kept in a registration called the Breeds Register.

CAN CROSSBREEDS BECOME RECOGNISED BREEDS?

It’s no secret that hybrid dogs and cats are all the rage today. However, there are many who wish to ensure that their hybrid is treated the same as purebreds.

For instance, several breeders are working to have the Cocker Spaniel–Poodle mix known as the Cockapoo officially recognised as a separate breed. The UK has seen numerous generations of Cockapoos and the formation of a Cockapoo Club; this raises the prospect that the breed may be officially recognised by the Kennel Club at some point.

HOW MANY DOG BREEDS ARE THERE IN THE WORLD?

About 350 distinct dog breeds are officially recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, popularly known as the World Canine Organization. Even though the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States each have their own national Kennel Club or Council, they are not members of the World Canine Organization, which is a federation of various countries and their kennel clubs.

Since different clubs recognise different breeds and the total number of dog breeds changes, it is difficult to determine an accurate count. But if you continue on, you’ll see that we visited all the major Kennel Clubs across the world and compiled the most comprehensive catalogue of dog breeds ever!

HOW MANY DOG BREEDS ARE THERE IN THE UK?

At this time, 221 breeds are officially recognised by the UK Kennel Club.

WHAT IS THE NEWEST DOG BREED IN THE UK?

The Black and Tan Coonhound was officially recognised as a breed in June of 2018. The American Kennel Club has recognised this breed since 1945, but its popularity on this side of the Atlantic has never warranted official certification. There were only about 70 Black and Tan Coonhounds in the UK when the breed was officially recognised by the Kennel Club.

Only eleven new breeds have been officially recognised since 2008, and some of them may come as a surprise to you. The Jack Russell Terrier, which was recognised as a separate breed until in 2016, is one such dog.

ARE THERE ANY ENDANGERED BREEDS?

Some dog breeds become extremely popular, while others quickly go out of style and are either absorbed by or give way to other, more modern dog breeds. Therefore, many dog breeds have become extinct in the past, and others are in danger of extinction.

British-born and bred dog breeds that have seen falling popularity are included on the Kennel Club’s list of vulnerable native breeds. For instance, the popular Bloodhound, known for its extraordinary sense of smell, is exceedingly fragile, and in 2020, only 32 Bloodhounds were registered with the Club. An endangered breed, the attractive and goofy Otterhound is sometimes mistaken for a large Cockapoo. Last year, only seven dogs of this type were registered.

HOW MANY DOG BREEDS ARE THERE IN THE UK – ALL 221 DOG BREEDS

We’ll classify the various dog breeds into one of seven groups according to the task they were bred to perform, much like the breed registry and dog exhibitions do. A few examples are the Working Dog, Gundog, Pastoral Dog, Hound, Utility Dog, Terrier, and Toy Dog.

WORKING = 26 BREEDS

GUNDOGS = 38 BREEDS

PASTORAL = 39 BREEDS

HOUND = 37 BREEDS

UTILITY = 30 BREEDS

TERRIER = 27 BREEDS

TOY = 24 BREEDS