Dog Breed Groups, American Kennel Club Recognized, Info by Pets4You.com

Simply put, the seven groups the American Kennel Club divides all breeds into ensure that (in competitions) judging is type-to-type in categories of dogs with similar characteristics, traits and genetic backgrounds.

The seven groups are:

In addition, the AKC has a Miscellaneous Class. Dogs in that category have not been granted full recognition by the organization at present; they are in the process of evolving into fully recognized breeds. Once they are AKC recognized, they will be assigned into one of the seven breed groups and move out of the Miscellaneous Class.

The AKC is currently considering whether to expand and reapportion the seven groups into ten. The changes would be made by dividing the current Hound group into two separate groups (Scent and Sight); dividing the current Sporting group into two separate groups (Pointers & Setters in one and Retrievers & Spaniels in the other) and creating one entirely new category, the Northern group, which would be comprised of all the Northern and Spitz breeds. That change would take dogs that are currently in other groups by character traits and skills and move them into the new Northern group based on common genetics.