For dog owners
Learn about purebred dogs
Practical help for anyone choosing a breed, looking for a puppy or wanting a better-behaved dog.
Finding a responsible breeder
A good breeder is the best start a puppy can have. Responsible breeders welcome questions and ask plenty of their own.
- Health tests the parents for conditions common in the breed, and shows you the results
- Lets you meet the mother, and the father when possible
- Raises puppies in the home with plenty of handling
- Provides a written contract and will take the dog back at any point in its life
- Is active in the breed through a club, shows or other dog sports
Club members are happy to connect you with breed contacts. Ask us.
Rescue too
Every good dog is welcome
Plenty of our members own rescues and mixed breeds. Many purebred breed clubs also run rescue programs for their breed.
Choosing a breed
The seven AKC groups
Breeds are grouped by what they were originally bred to do. It's a good starting point for matching a dog to your life.
| Group | Bred for | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|
| Sporting | Finding and retrieving game birds | Pointer, Labrador Retriever, English Springer Spaniel |
| Hound | Hunting by sight or scent | Beagle, Greyhound, Cirneco dell'Etna |
| Working | Guarding, pulling and rescue | Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Pyrenees, Siberian Husky |
| Terrier | Hunting vermin | Airedale Terrier, Border Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer |
| Toy | Companionship | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pug, Papillon |
| Non-Sporting | A wide range of jobs | Poodle, Dalmatian, Bulldog |
| Herding | Moving livestock | Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Corgi |
Beyond the show ring