How many dog ​​breeds exist in the world? Is it possible to determine the exact number?

One of the first domesticated animals in the world is the dog. Since ancient times, she has regularly served man, guarding the home, herding livestock and helping to hunt. For more than 10 thousand years, the dog has been a faithful friend of people. During all this time, many different varieties and breeds of these wonderful animals were bred.

It is not possible to accurately calculate how many dog ​​breeds exist in the world. We can say with confidence that their number exceeds 400 species. This figure is growing every year, as breeding work is ongoing. Some breeds disappear as unpromising and unpopular, while others, on the contrary, appear and develop rapidly.

Classification of dog breeds into groups

In addition to those officially registered with the International Canine Association, there are many dog ​​breeds that have not received recognition. Work to improve and standardize them continues to this day.

There are more than 400 dog breeds of different sizes and colors around the world.

Interesting. The largest breed of dog in the world is considered to be the Irish Wolfhound, whose weight is more than 100 kg, and whose height at the withers is about 80-85 cm. And the smallest breed is the Chihuahua. The tiny dog ​​weighs only 1500 grams, and its height is 10-12 cm at the withers.

All dog breeds are subject to group classification. Conventionally, they can be divided into decorative and working, although there are many breeds used both for work and for participation in exhibitions and competitions. Within these larger groups there is a more detailed division.

What is a breed?

At the end of the 19th century, a number of talented canine writers summarized information on dog breeding in their books and articles. Of particular note are the works of Stonehenge and Hugh Dalziel from England, as well as A. A. Shirinsky-Shikhmatov, N. P. Kishensky and L. P. Sabaneev from Russia. Currently, there are about 400 dog breeds in the world. Among them there are breeds that are distributed throughout the globe and have a huge number of individuals, such as the German shepherd. Others number in the dozens or have a very narrow distribution, such as the Shar Pei, Irish Wolfhound, or Mexican Hairless. Some breeds are known only within the countries where they were bred. These include the Stabyhund in the Netherlands, the Norbettenhund in northern Norway, and the Slovakian Chuvach in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It should be noted that there are no breeds among wild animals. In the wild, demes, populations, races and subspecies are distinguished within a species. A breed is the result of domestication of animals by humans. To some extent, a domestic animal breed can be equated to a subspecies in the wild.[4]

The outstanding Russian scientist N.A. Kravchenko gives the following definition of a breed: “A breed is a fairly large group of domestic animals created by human labor, having a common origin and the commonality of a number of economically useful physiological and morphological characteristics that are quite persistently inherited. With appropriate work with the rock, it can change in the desired direction.” If you stop working with the breed, it degenerates and gradually disappears[5].

There are primitive, factory and transitional breeds.

Herding and cattle dogs

The oldest and most ancient dogs are considered to be herding breeds.

The most popular and widespread of them are:

• Border Collie is the smartest dog in the world, quickly and easily trained, independent and good-natured;
• Alabai is a large herding dog with a rather complex character, today it is mainly used as a watchman and security guard;
• Since ancient times, the Caucasian Shepherd has been used to herd sheep in the mountains; it is distinguished by its sharp intelligence, endurance and courage;
• The Bernese Mountain Dog is another typical representative of herding breeds, with a beautiful, original appearance and a calm character.

Who can answer this question?

Of course, today in the Internet world you can enter this question into a search engine, and you will be shown entire lists of various cat breeds. However, they may not be entirely accurate, because in practice, even the most experienced specialist will not be able to indicate the exact figure.

Moreover, a lot of disputes have been held between breeders about their breeds, because many cats have existed for a long time, but are still not officially recognized.

Naturally, such a process is very serious, otherwise anyone could cross two pets and demand that their offspring be registered as a new species of kittens. For example, all pet lovers know the mixed breed cat, but some people who have formed their own circles claim that they have a different name - a designer breed.

Therefore, special organizations deal with this issue.

Also, no one will ever be able to say for sure the exact number of common breeds for the reason that such official registrations are still being carried out to this day.

Many lovers of furry four-legged animals are concerned with the same questions: what breeds of cats are there? What breed is the most common? How do new animal species appear? However, let's first deal with another issue.

Bloodhounds and related breeds

Hound dogs belong to the oldest hunting group, which has long been used for driving game.

Hounds are excellent hunters, but these dogs are quite difficult to train.

The main working breeds, excellent for hunting, remain:

• Russian piebald hound is an excellent hunting dog, but very capricious and stubborn, difficult to train;
• American Foxhound is an elegant hound breed that develops very high speed when pursuing prey;
• Biyi are considered the best deer hunter, they are energetic, intelligent, brave and proud.

There are about 70-75 hound breeds in total, and all of them are excellent and brave hunters.

Pinschers and Schnauzers

A separate group are the German dog breeds - pinschers and schnauzers. These are quite interesting breeds, with a long history of formation.

The most famous dogs are:

• Doberman is the best watchman and bodyguard, aggressive towards strangers, but loyal to the owner;
• The Giant Schnauzer is a large service dog with a distrustful and angry disposition, used in security and investigative activities.

Miniature Schnauzers, Miniature Schnauzers, Austrian and Dutch Pinschers are also no less popular.

Terriers

Terriers have long been considered ideal burrow hunters. However, among these fearless and intelligent dogs, only decorative pets (Yorkies) are found.

Among terriers, the most widespread are Yorkshire terriers.

The most common and beloved terriers by dog ​​breeders:

• Yorkshire Terrier is a miniature companion dog, fearless, courageous and independent;
• the bull terrier is a real working dog, absolutely insensitive to pain, courageous and sometimes aggressive towards its relatives, but unusually devoted to its owner;
• The German Jagdterrier is considered an irreplaceable dog not only for burrowing, but also for any other hunting, and is distinguished by a difficult, difficult disposition.

How many dog ​​breeds exist in the world according to RKF and FCI

There are several hundred dog breeds in total. Among them, the ICF recognizes 332 fully, and another 11 – conditionally.

The Russian Federation of Dog Breeders provides a list of 234 breeds, and the International Canine Association (FCI) includes 213 names. Of these, 146 names are recognized by each association and federation. A total of 376 existing breeds have been described.

In the FCI system, sailors are divided into 10 large groups, each of which is also divided into subgroups:

• Herding - shepherd dogs (kelpies, collies, briards), cattle dogs (Australian heeler, Bouvier des Flandres).
• Dogs for hunting in the mountains - pinschers, schnauzers, molossians (mastiffs, great Danes), Swiss cattle dogs (Appenzeller, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog).
• Terriers - this group consists of hunting dogs (small, medium, large terriers, bull terriers, toy terriers).
• Dachshunds are a group of animals created for burrow hunting (dachshund long-haired, short-haired).
• Aboriginal and Spitz - northern breeds (Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Huskies, Spitz), European Spitz, Asian Spitz and primitive breeds (Basenji, Canaan).
• Hounds are game hunting dogs of various sizes and pack hounds.
• Pointers - continental pointers, spaniels, griffons, pointers, setters.
• Game beaters are retrievers, spaniels and water dogs.
• Greyhounds – chasing game on the ground; differing from each other in the type of coat. The coat can be hard, long or short.
• Decorative - this group contains animals that do not have a direct specialization as such, but were created simply for fun and communication (Bichons, Poodles, Belgian, Hairless, Tibetan, Chihuahueños, Toy Spaniels, Chins, Cromforlanders, Mollosoids).

Origin and classification of existing dog breeds

Primitive type breeds and Spitz

Separately, it is worth mentioning primitive dog breeds, i.e. obtained naturally without human intervention. They are fully adapted to local natural conditions and are distinguished by their versatility and endurance.

The following breeds can be classified as primitive:

• Siberian Huskies;
• malamutes;
• Basenji.

In addition, there is a separate category of breeds included in this rare group - Spitz. There are two types of Spitz: European and Asian.

European ones include:

• German;
• dwarf;
• Pomeranian;
• Finnish.

There are slightly more Asian Spitz dogs, but the most common are Akita Inu and Chow Chow.

Facts about dogs

Speaking about dogs, one cannot help but talk about interesting facts related to them.

• We now know how many dog ​​breeds exist in the world. If you count together those who have not yet received recognition, there are much more than 400 species.
• The largest dog is the Irish Wolfhound. Its height can reach 1 meter at the withers. This is more than the Tibetan Mastiff and Great Dane.
• The smallest dog is a Chihuahua. With a height of 10-20 centimeters, it weighs from 1.5 to 3 kilograms. By the way, “sneezes” are quite vicious dogs, despite their size.
• The smartest breeds are the poodle, the German shepherd and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
• The kindest representatives of the breeds include collie (Scottish Shepherd) and Labrador.

Coping dogs

All of these breeds are used for tracking and presenting game, but there are several ways to use them: dogs for hunting on water, on land and as universal hunters.

Cops are actively used for hunting - they are excellent universal dogs.

Thus, the Hungarian Vizsla is an absolutely universal hunting dog, with an excellent sense of smell and excellent working qualities.

The English Pointer is one of the best breeds intended for gun hunting of waterfowl. He is distinguished by his endurance, concentration on work, and is easy to learn.

The English Setter excels at catching wild birds and serving shot game. Dogs have excellent hearing, they are brave, good-natured, active and inquisitive.

Types of dogs

One of the main criteria influencing the calculation of the exact number is purebred. To do this, it is important to know accurate information about the pet’s parents belonging to the same breed.

Man has long been breeding animals that are useful to him; some breeds have been artificially improved. They crossed representatives of both the same species and different ones, thereby trying to reduce the number of hereditary defects and improve the useful qualities of the animal.

It is impossible to say exactly how many dog ​​breeds there are today. There are unregistered animals, but experts have combined known breeds into groups, which are classified according to functional characteristics.

The most popular breeds

Small dogs

This species includes toys, dwarfs and small dogs. All animals are small in stature, light in weight and cute in appearance.

Note! Small breeds require more attention than larger individuals.

Herding and cattle dogs

These breeds were specially bred to help people guard and work in the pasture with animals. Dogs, having acquired special skills during training, can graze livestock on their own.

The herding dog is an excellent guard dog and has a distinctive appearance. Can perform work that requires heavy loads.

Herding dogs

Companion dogs, decorative dogs

Any breed can be included in this group, depending on the preferences of the owner. For some, a miniature dog may be their favorite pet, while others feel more confident in the company of a large dog.

Huskies are very popular now; they are kept in city apartments and are not physically strained in any way as a sled dog. Labradors and their closest relatives, goldens, are considered excellent companions.

Many people have decorative dogs as companions. They are chosen for their small height, weight and “toy” appearance.

Favorite companions

Elite types of dogs

This group includes the Bearded Collie, one of the oldest Scottish breeds. The Pharaoh Hound is considered to be very ancient; it evolved without human intervention for more than 500 years. This animal is graceful, graceful, has “aristocratic” habits, and has a flexible body.

Note! Elite breeds are considered noble dogs with an excellent family history.

The Lion Bichon is also considered an elite dog. It is also called the lion dog or levchen. It is a miniature animal and belongs to the dwarf breeds. Another small dog of eastern blood is considered elite - the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. But the most popular breed today is the Rottweiler. This is a fearless, very hardy and physically developed animal with high intelligence. English bulldogs are not far behind - four-legged friends with an impressive appearance. They are not aggressive, not bloodthirsty.

Elite breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Primitive type breeds and Spitz

This variety is included in group 5. Dogs that appear as a result of natural selection are considered primitive. These are strong, hardy, robust animals with a stable psyche. Their ancestors were wolves, so the dogs inherited their character, muzzle shape and erect ears from them.

Spitz, as before, are similar to their ancestors, who were swamp dogs. They have an elongated muzzle, sharp erect ears and a tail in a ring, lying on the back. Spitz dogs gained the greatest popularity in the Baltic states and Northern Europe. Large representatives of this group descended from turf dogs and northern huskies. Previously, they were used as sled and guard dogs. The most famous are Pomeranian Spitz, characterized by their energy and good nature.

Good-natured and energetic Spitz

Beagle dogs

Hounds are pets used for hunting. It could be a blood trail. Greyhounds find prey by sight, pointers and setters hunt birds, spaniels hunt waterfowl, retrievers bring shot game, dachshunds and hunting terriers climb into holes.

Note! Hounds are one of the most ancient groups. It includes a large number of breeds for various types of hunting.

Russian hound

Gun dogs

This variety is used when hunting birds with a gun. Representatives of this group have an excellent sense of smell and are able to stand up when they find game. Thanks to its superior sense of smell, a pointer is able to smell a bird at a great distance, quietly approach it and stand in a stance, waiting for the owner with a gun, after which he scares away the game, lifting it under the shot.

Retrievers, spaniels, water dogs

Retrievers and spaniels are also a fairly large group of hunting dogs with excellent characteristics.

The most interesting and common breeds include:

• the American water spaniel, specially bred for hunting on water, can swim quickly and brings up to 6 shot ducks at a time;
• Labrador Retriever is an excellent hunting dog, capable of accurately finding game, but extremely good-natured and cheerful;
• the golden retriever has not only a developed hunting instinct, but also a bright, harmless character;
• The German Wachtelhund is considered an intelligent, courageous hunter, working equally easily both in water and on land.

Many representatives of these breeds have not been used for hunting for a long time, but are bred, most often, as companion dogs.

Spaniels and other dogs in this group are often kept as companions.

Description of the main breeds

The main types of cats were derived from the earliest, but not always the most widespread, breeds. And now breeders continue to experiment with these species, achieving new results.

• British.
  They became the founders of two main lines: British Longhair and Shorthair, the older of which is the Shorthair. Both species are characterized by ideal hair, which is very easy to care for: it does not mat and does not shed as actively as other representatives of the cat world.
• .
  Their color resembles wild rabbits, which is why they got their first name - “rabbit cats”. Very easy-going, with a good disposition and graceful body.
• Scottish.
  There are 2 main forms - straight-eared and lop-eared. The basic one was straight-eared, and lop-eared was the result of genetic experiments, during which it was possible to fix the gene responsible for the regression of cartilage tissue.
• American Curl.
  The main distinguishing feature is the ears, which bend inward or backward at different angles. The inner surface of the auricle is densely pubescent. American Curls are very active animals; their playfulness and activity remain in them until old age.
• European Shorthair.
  Experts believe that this breed was formed with minimal human intervention. It is quite difficult for a non-professional to distinguish these cats from ordinary yard cats, since they are as close as possible in genotype and appearance.
• Angora.
  There is an opinion that she became the predecessor for all long-haired pedigree groups. A distinctive feature is the absence of undercoat and a thick collar around the neck.
• Egyptian Mau.
  Of all the species currently known, the Mau is the most ancient. Her image was first drawn 3 thousand years ago. Her eyes look very unusual: they seem to be lined with eyeliner, and a “W” pattern is visible between her ears.

The Global Footprint Network estimates that there are about 600 million small cats in the world. This includes domestic cats, stray cats and feral cats. There are about 100 million wild cat species alone, which means there are about 500 million domestic and stray cats on Earth.

All over the world, cats are the most popular pets. With the exception of Antarctica, they are found on all continents and most islands of the planet. Depending on the source of classification, there are between 39 and 49 breeds of domestic cat.

More than 10,000 years ago in the Middle East, the first domesticated cats helped people control pests. The ancestors of the domestic cat began to live near people, feeding on human enemies such as. During the 1940s, cats became full-fledged pets, and cat litter was invented to provide a complete transition to their new role.

For thousands of years, cats coexisted alongside humans, serving as rodent hunters, acting as divine beings and messengers of evil spirits. They eventually became domestic companions, although most retained their hunting instincts and continue to use it successfully.

Cats, regardless of natural or artificial origin, are divided into breeds. Some of them are related, while others are completely different from the others, with different types of coats and colors. The vast majority of them were bred by American breeders, although not all of them come from America.

Over the decades, some breeds have become in demand, while others have lost interest. Many of the world's existing cat breeds were on the verge of extinction. Breeders put effort and spent years in obtaining individuals with the desired characteristics, achieving recognition. And now, there are already more than 100 different breeds, about 80 of them are recognized by felinological organizations.

Companion dogs, decorative dogs

Representatives of decorative dogs are rightfully called the largest group of breeds. They are the most common, perfect as a “couch” pet, and are good friends and companions.

Here are a few typical representatives of decorative breeds:

• The Bichon Frize is a very small, cheerful dog with snow-white fluffy fur, easy to train, gets along well with all family members;
• the Chinese Crested dog is no less attractive as a small pet, because it is extremely loving, friendly and affectionate;
• the pug is one of the most popular breeds with a funny face and a wonderful mischievous but balanced character;
• Pekingese is a real imperial dog with luxurious fur and an original appearance, originally from China, it has a complex, arrogant disposition, and is not suitable for families with children;
• The poodle is an ideal decorative breed, very obedient, active, cheerful, gets along with children and pets.

Greyhounds

Greyhounds are bred specifically for hunting and driving game in open areas. The speed they develop far exceeds the running speed of hounds.

Representatives of the greyhound group are capable of developing incredible speeds for dogs.

These unique breeds include:

• Russian Borzoi is a large, vicious and ferocious dog, a real hunter;
• the Afghan hound is a very beautiful, large and strong animal with unusual long hair;
• The Greyhound is the fastest dog in the world, excellent for hunting hares.

Domestic (mongrel) cats

Studies have been conducted that have shown that over 400 million cats are kept at home. An adult cat gives birth to up to seven kittens at a time. Not all owners limit the breeding of ordinary cats. Village pets regularly bear offspring about three times a year. Only the reproduction of purebred individuals is constantly monitored, and therefore the number of cats in the world is difficult to accurately calculate.

The number of stray cats in populated areas around the world cannot be counted. Stray animals live near markets and warehouses, in the basements of residential buildings, and sometimes in garbage dumps.

Dachshunds

Dachshunds are typically hunting, burrowing dogs with a long, strong body and short, thick legs. Considered to be the oldest breed in the world.

There are three types of breed:

• smooth-haired;
• wire-haired;
• long-haired

In addition, they come in standard or rabbit (small) sizes. They are distinguished by a sharp mind and are well trained.

Dachshund dogs are classified as a separate breed group.

With such a huge number of breeds, it is very difficult to choose the best one. Professional breeders work every year to improve existing dog breeds and create completely new ones. Each owner chooses a pet based on personal preferences, and for each owner his dog is the best.

Definition of “native dog breed”

Main article: Aboriginal breed

In most cases, the concept of “dog breed” is applied to a group of dogs recognized by any canine organization. The term dog breed can also be used to refer to indigenous, natural breeds that have evolved over time in response to specific environmental conditions, including those of humans, with little or no selection by humans. Such breeds are not documented and are often identified only externally, as well as by their working functions. Some modern (standardized) dog breeds trace their origins to ancient dog breeds[6].

Some native dog breeds have been recognized by international canine organizations, others have not, and their conservation and breeding is carried out by individual dog lovers and small groups or clubs. A striking example of the first is the history of such an aboriginal breed as the “Alabai”, which was recognized by various organizations under the name “Central Asian Shepherd Dog”[1].

At the same time, all indigenous dog breeds have a number of characteristics, which are given, in particular, in the article “Wolfhounds - truth, legend and slander”:

“Aboriginal dogs are primarily distinguished by a lack of adaptation to the conditions of a metropolis, sexual dimorphism and large intratype fluctuations. Of course, there are bad both hatchery and native individuals. However, so are the good ones. All other conditions being equal, an aborigine always has the advantage that he is minimally spoiled by human selection, and a factory dog ​​has the advantage of predictability of inherited traits in the offspring, adaptability and the availability of information about blood”[2].

At the beginning of the new millennium, rampant and thoughtless selection of dogs led to the fact that many dog ​​breeds found themselves in a rather deplorable state due to the loss of genetic diversity, as evidenced by numerous genetic defects and hereditary diseases, which are most susceptible to those breeds [3] of dogs. which have undergone selection to the greatest extent [4][7]. Unlike selective breeds, native dog breeds have the greatest genetic diversity. As a result of selection for certain exterior properties, the genetic diversity of such a selective breed of dogs as the Caucasian Shepherd turned out to be low.[8][5]. As Vladimir Beregovoy writes in the article “Primitive Aboriginal Dogs”:

“The very characteristics of factory breeds that distinguish them from the original wild type are, in many cases, nothing more than biological anomalies. Excesses in anatomical and external morphological deviations, which have become a kind of trademark of some factory breeds of dogs, have their price in the form of inconvenience, and sometimes even the survival of the dog and must be compensated by the concerns of its owner. In addition, their general fitness and health are weakened by long-term existence under fairly regular veterinary supervision, which has preserved genetically incomplete animals for generations.”[6].

For these reasons, the conservation and protection of local indigenous dog breeds becomes all the more important. The First International Scientific and Practical Conference “Aboriginal Dog Breeds as Elements of Biodiversity and the Cultural Heritage of Humanity”, which took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan, September 10-15, 2007, was devoted to the issues of preserving aboriginal dogs.[7] In particular, the conference materials say: “Be that as it may, indigenous dog breeds are fully elements of the biodiversity of our planet and our task is to at least preserve them in order to pass them on to future generations in the same form in which we ourselves received them from our ancestors."