How Many Types of Dogs Are There in the World?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 08, 2023

There are 340 recognized dog breeds in the world as of 2014, with 167 recognized in the United States. AKC-recognized breeds belong to 10 categorized groups based on the dog’s function, purpose, size or appearance.

The individual groups consist of cattle and sheep dogs, terriers, schnauzers and pinschers, dachshunds, scenthounds and other related breeds, setters and pointers, water dogs, which include retrievers, toy and companion dogs, spitz and sighthounds. Groups divide into subgroups assigned an original place of origin. Great Britain and Germany created more dog breeds than a combination of all other countries. American dogs include the Australian shepherd, Boston terrier, Chesapeake Bay retriever and Alaskan malamute.