Dog breeds by FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale)

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!