Choosing
a dog may be a challenging adventure, if you do not know much about the types of
dogs. If you want a dog with pedigree, the Federation
Cynologique International, also referred to as the World Canine Organization can help you get more familiar with the breeds, as it has proposed a simple grouping system, in which most dog groups are classified
into. Using this classification, dogs are generally grouped into 10 groups
depending on their physical appearance, geographic distribution, behavior and
common tasks for which the dogs are used for. This can be said to be the easiest and most
direct way through which dogs are classified in, even if it may have a few
anomalies.
FCI 1: The first group of dogs is sheep
dogs. These are dogs that were (and somewhere still are) used for herding
sheep, goats and cattle in European areas. The specialty of these dogs is
shepherding. The most common dogs here will be sheepdogs and cattle dogs. It is
important to note that the swill cattle dogs are not included in this class of
dogs.
FCI 2: The next group of dogs is the group of Pinch, Schnauzer, Mollosoid dogs and Swiss Mountain Dogs. Examples of dogs in this class include the Swiss cattle dog,
the Pinscher, Schnauzer and the Mastiff commonly referred to as Mollosian.
FCI 3: There
are also numerous varieties of the
terriers. The size of the terrier in this
group is what determines where it ought to be classified. There are Large
Terriers, Small Terriers, Toy Terriers and Bull Terriers.
FCI 4: Daschunds are the next class of dog in the FCI
classification. The dachshund is also
referred as the Teckels which are both miniature and of a standard size which
is slightly larger.
FCI 5: The Spitzes follow in the classification and here, there
are numerous varieties of dogs that are classified here. In this class, there are Nordic Sled Dogs,
Nordic Watchdogs and Hunters, Nordic Hunting Dogs, the European Spitz, the Thai
Ridgeback, Caanan
dog, Basenji, hairless breeds, Asian Spitz and the Podengos, a primitive type
of hunting spitz.
FCI 6: The
next class of dogs is the scent related breed of dog. In this classification,
there are Scent Hounds, Dalmatian, Rhodesian Ridgeback and Scent Hounds Hunted
on a leash.
FCI 7: Another class in the FCI classification is Pointer dogs. These are
dogs used in acquiring bearing and guiding you in the right direction. Among
the commonly found breeds include Continental Pointing Dogs and the United
Kingdom Pointing dogs.
FCI 8: Retrievers, Waterdogs and Flushing Dogs that are mostly used in search and rescue is a
class in the list. Here, dogs included in the list are dogs used mainly in
search and rescue, those that are adapted for swimming and getting into narrow
spaces.
FCI 9: Companion
and Toy dogs are also included in this list. These dogs are those whose
function is only for keeping one company and are generally small. The breeds of
dog included in this class is a Bichon, Poodles, Tibetian breeds, Small Belgian
Dogs, Chihuahua, Japanese Chin, Pekinese,
English Toy Spaniels, Continental Toy Spaniels, Small Hairless
Dogs and Toy Bull Breeds.
FCI 10: The
last class of dogs in this classification is the Sighthounds and the Windhounds.
This class specifically groups dogs that have a Superior sense of sight and
hearing. Among dogs that are found in this class include the Long Haired and
Fringed Windwards, The Short Haired Windhounds and the Wire Coated Windhouds.
So,
there you have it, a well elaborated guide of the top 10 dog’s classification
as outlined by the FCI. You now have the knowhow of what breeds to consider when
choosing your dog, if you do not decide for an adoption!
