Common Breeds of Dogs - Comprehensive Study Notes

COMMON BREEDS OF DOGS

Overview of Dog Breeds

  • There are around 1000 dog breeds globally.
  • Major organizations promoting breed standards:
    • American Kennel Club (AKC)
    • United Kennel Club (UKC)
  • AKC statistics:
    • 189 pure dog breeds registered as of 2016.
  • UKC statistics:
    • 300 dog breeds registered as of September 2015.
  • In Nepal, there are approximately 25 common dog breeds.

Breed Classification Systems

  • AKC Recognized Breeds are categorized into 7 groups or the Miscellaneous Class based on their developed uses.
  • UKC Recognized Breeds have 8 groups, also based on their developed uses.
AKC Groups
  1. Sporting
  2. Non-Sporting
  3. Toy
  4. Herding
  5. Terrier
  6. Working
  7. Hound
  8. Miscellaneous
UKC Groups
  1. Companion Dog
  2. Guarding Dog
  3. Gun Dog
  4. Herding Dog
  5. Northern Breed
  6. Scenthound
  7. Sighthound & Pariah
  8. Terrier

Top Breeds in UKC and AKC

Top UKC Breeds (based on registration in 2005)
  1. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  2. American Pit Bull Terrier
  3. Blue Tick Coonhound
  4. English Coonhound
  5. American Coonhound
  6. Redbone Coonhound
  7. Labrador Retriever
  8. Beagle
  9. Plott Hound
  10. Jack Russell Terrier
  11. American Eskimo
  12. Toy Fox Terrier
  13. Rat Terrier
  14. German Shepherd Dog
  15. Dogue de Bordeaux
  16. American Bulldog
  17. Belgian Shepherd Dog
  18. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  19. Epagneul Breton
Top AKC Breeds (based on registration in 2006)
  1. Labrador Retrievers
  2. Yorkshire Terriers
  3. German Shepherd Dogs
  4. Golden Retrievers
  5. Beagles
  6. Dachshunds
  7. Boxers
  8. Poodles
  9. Shih Tzu
  10. Miniature Schnauzers
  11. Chihuahuas
  12. Bulldogs
  13. Pugs
  14. Pomeranians
  15. Boston Terriers
  16. Cocker Spaniels
  17. Rottweilers
  18. Maltese
  19. German Shorthaired Pointers
  20. Shetland Sheepdogs

K9 Breeds in Nepal

  1. Golden Retriever
  2. German Shepherd
  3. Doberman
  4. Boxer
  5. Dalmatian
  6. Dachshund
  7. Japanese Spitz
  8. Great Dane
  9. Labrador Retriever
  10. Rottweiler
  11. Poodle
  12. Chihuahua
  13. Afghan Hound
  14. Collie
  15. Beagle
  16. Saint Bernard
  17. Cocker Spaniel
  18. Tibetan Mastiff
  19. Tibetan Apso
  20. Pug
  21. Pomeranian
  22. American Bully
  23. Siberian Husky

Breed Specific Characteristics

Golden Retriever
  • Origin: Britain
  • Size: Male: 22-24 inches, 29-32 kg; Female: 20-22 inches, 25-27 kg
  • Color Range: Light gold, dark gold, cream
  • Features: Specific color, solid domed head, bushy straight tail, drooped ears
  • Use: All-purpose dog, suitable as a gundog and family pet, therapy dog for the blind
  • Exercise Requirement: Needs plenty of space and exercise
  • Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
  • Common Fault: Cow hocks are highly undesirable
German Shepherd (Alsatian)
  • Origin: Germany
  • Size: Male: 24-26 inches, 30-40 kg; Female: 22-24 inches
  • Features: Length greater than height, wide chest, wedge-shaped muzzle, straight legs, erect ears, hockey stick-shaped tail
  • Use: Watchdog, guard, rescue, sniffing, companion, shepherd dog
  • Exercise Requirement: Needs plenty of exercise
  • Color: Black, black saddle with tan, or gold markings; all-black or all-grey are sables
  • Longevity Range: 7-10 years
  • Note: White German Shepherds are not recognized by UKC.
Doberman Pinscher
  • Origin: Germany
  • Size: Male: 28 inches, 30-40 kg; Female: 24 inches, 30-35 kg
  • Color: Short, sleek coat available in black, brown, blue, fawn with rust red markings (white markings undesirable)
  • Features: Long head, sleek muscular body, ears often cropped, tail typically docked
  • Use: Reliable family pet and guard dog, good for companionship
  • Grooming: Average shedder, minimal grooming needed
  • Longevity: 10-12 years
Boxer
  • Origin: Germany
  • Size: Male: 22-25 inches, 30-32 kg; Female: 21-23 inches, 25-28 kg
  • Color: Fawn or brindle, white with black muzzle, sometimes brown and white patches
  • Show Standard: All-white boxers are unacceptable for show; ears are cropped, tail docked
  • Features: Rounded head, undershot jaw
  • Temperament: Brave, excellent with children, can be scrappy with other dogs
Dachshund
  • Origin: Germany
  • Size: Standard: 9-12 kg; Miniature: 4.5 kg
  • Height: 5-10 inches
  • Coat Types: Smooth-haired, long-haired, wire-haired
  • Color: Black, fawn, red, brown, and beaver
  • Features: Short limbs, compact, elongated body, large droopy ears
  • Temperament: Intelligent, lively, affectionate, good hunting dog
Japanese Spitz
  • Origin: Japan
  • Size: Male: 12-14 inches, 11-18 kg; Female: slightly less (7-14 kg)
  • Color: Pure white (acceptable variants include brown mixtures)
  • Features: Pointed muzzle, triangular erect ears, bushy tail
  • Temperament: Affectionate, yappy if unchecked; best with single individuals or couples
  • Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Great Dane (Deutsche Dogge)
  • Origin: Germany
  • Size: Male: 30-32 inches, 58-79 kg; Female: 28 inches, 55-65 kg
  • Features: Massive head, long slender legs, devoted, easy to train
  • Color Variations: Black, fawn, brindle, blue-gray, harlequin
  • Temperament: Courageous, friendly, dependable
  • Longevity: 8-9 years
Labrador Retriever
  • Origin: Britain
  • Size: Male: 22-28 inches, 30-37 kg; Female: 22-24 inches, 27-34 kg
  • Color: Black, golden, and chocolate
  • Features: Wide head, strong jaw, tapered tail
  • Use: Sniffer, retriever, therapy dog; adaptable, excellent companion, especially with children
  • Common Fault: Cow-hocks undesirable
Rottweiler
  • Origin: Germany
  • Size: Male: 25-27 inches, Female: 23-25 inches, 40-45 kg
  • Use: Originally for butchery and cattle herding; currently a guard and companion dog
  • Color: Black with rich tan markings
  • Temperament: Bold, courageous, loyal; not recommended for inexperienced handlers
Poodle
  • Origin: Germany
  • Forms: Standard (15 inches or above), Miniature (10-15 inches), Toy (less than 10 inches)
  • Features: Chiseled muzzle, curly hair
  • Temperament: High-spirited, good-natured, excellent show dogs
Chihuahua
  • Origin: Mexico
  • Size Range: 0.9-2.7 kg, 15-20 cm height
  • Characteristics: Devoted, intelligent, often seen as guard dogs; available in long-haired and smooth-haired types
  • Color Varieties: Many colors including chocolate and blue
Afghan Hound
  • Origin: Afghanistan
  • Size: Male: 27 inches, 28 kg; Female: 25 inches, 23 kg
  • Coat: Long hair, various colors acceptable but white markings undesirable
Collie
  • Origin: Britain
  • Size: Male: 22-26 inches, 30 kg; Female: 20-22 inches, 18-25 kg
  • Temperament: Natural herder, needs space and exercise, can be snappy without it.
Beagle
  • Origin: Britain
  • Size: 13-15 inches, 14-17 kg
  • Temparament: Happy, loves to play but destructive if not trained, excellent scent detector for agricultural imports.
St. Bernard
  • Origin: Switzerland
  • Size: Male: 27-29 inches, 85 kg; Female: 25 inches above
  • Characteristics: Heavy build, primarily white with colored patches, calm and trustworthy.
Cocker Spaniel
  • Origin: England and Spain
  • Size: 15-16 inches, 12-15 kg
  • Features: Long ears, originally bred for hunting. Needs exercise especially due to love for food.
Pug
  • Origin: China, popularized in Europe
  • Features: Small, short muzzled face, curled tail; ideal for families and as companions.

Bhote Kukur Breed

  • Recognition: The Bhote Kukur breed is recognized as Nepal’s national breed.
  • Certificate: International recognition awarded by the IKC, certification achieved on March 15, 2025.