FAQ
This website covers not only all of the AKC dog breeds but also those recognized by the UKC, FCI, and other international kennel clubs. Each of these organizations has its own way of classifying breeds, and not only are the groups slightly different from eachother, but the clubs also don’t always agree on how to classify the same breed even when they do have similar groups.
Take the Keeshond, for example. In the AKC, this spitz breed is placed in the Non-Sporting category (a catch-all for dogs that don’t fit in other categories) but no other kennel club has such a group. Instead, while AKC doesn’t have a dedicated category for spitz breeds, other kennel clubs do! As such, UKC places this breed in their Northern Breeds group and FCI puts them in their similar Spitz and Primitive Types group.
And then there’s the Treeing Walker Coonhound. This breed is placed in the Hound category according to the AKC, however UKC has the more specific Scenthound group in which to place them. This breed isn’t even recognized by the FCI at all!
And finally there’s the Affenpinscher. The AKC classifies them in the Toy group while the UKC places them in their Companion category – a similar although slightly modified version of (essentially) the same group. The FCI? They group Affenpinschers with Pinschers, Schnauzers, Molossoids, and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs – which might seem unusual but it’s due to the Affenpinscher’s historical connection to schnauzers!
All of this to say – Here, we make our own rules! Breeds have been classified into the groups that make the most sense to us. In order to not have gigantic groups, some have been split into sub-categories such as the two scenthound groups and two working groups. Some breeds will appear in more than one category. This is all to make the breeds easier to find for you, while at the same time avoiding categories that have 100 dogs placed inside them for those who want to scroll through and peruse the information more organically. We have more dogs listed here than any single kennel club registers – so we needed to get creative!
The Academic Hound primarily profiles breeds recognized by major kennel clubs. Why? Not all registries are created equal—some exist solely to make money by registering anything, purebred or not. Just because someone claims to have created a “new breed” and had it registered by an obscure registry (like our fictional “ABC Registry”) doesn’t necessarily mean it qualifies as a legitimate breed.
Similarly, “designer dogs”—crosses of two established breeds—aren’t considered purebred. They don’t “breed true,” meaning they won’t reliably pass down consistent traits, which makes it impossible to profile them accurately. For that reason, they have no place on this site.
That said, you may notice a few breeds here that aren’t recognized by the major kennel clubs. While this may seem contradictory, we acknowledge that no breed is fully formed from the start. Development is part of the process, and some breeds are still in this stage. To be included, unrecognized or rare breeds must meet our strict criteria. Some of that criteria includes:
- Having a dedicated parent club overseeing the breed’s development
- A club has an established code of ethics for breeding practices and/or has clear goals for developing/improving the breed
- The breed has a history of existence or development over a decent period of time (most have at least 30 years)
- Opportunities are given for breeders and enthusiasts to test and rate breeding stock, such as through dog shows or working trials
- A sufficient number of active breeders exist, ideally spread across regions or countries
- There is a clear purpose for the breed, often a working role but companionship roles are fine as long as other criteria are met
There are certainly some very nice breeds in development that do not appear on this site simply because we don’t consider them established enough yet.
Absolutely not! All dogs are wonderful, including mixed breeds! However, our breed encyclopedia is focused on profiling dogs that have consistent, predictable traits passed down from generation to generation. Since mutts don’t come from a standardized lineage and don’t “breed true,” it’s impossible to provide an accurate profile for them. Each mutt is truly one-of-a-kind, and that’s part of what makes them so special. But for the purposes of this site, we focus on breeds that have been developed with specific traits in mind.
We try to be as accurate as we can! Information is gathered from years of experience in the professional dog training and dog show worlds, in addition to lengthy discussions with those who steward these breeds and extensive collecting of information. A lot of time has gone into these profiles in order to make them relevant and useful.
This said – while breed profiles offer a general overview of traits like appearance, temperament, and behavior, it’s important to remember that they describe the typical characteristics of the breed as a whole, not the personality of any one dog. Just like people, every dog is unique!
Factors such as genetics, environment, training, and socialization all play a role in shaping a dog’s individual traits. Even within the same litter, puppies may vary widely in temperament and behavior. So, while breed profiles give you a good sense of what to expect, they shouldn’t be seen as guarantees.
If you’re considering a breed, keep in mind that your dog may exhibit some of the breed’s traits more strongly than others, or might even develop a few surprises along the way!
All of this said, it is entirely possible that there are mistakes in the profiles and we are always willing to listen to those who have been in a particular breed longer than we have! If you are involved with a breed to a heavy extent (breeder, breed club member, etc.) we’re always willing to listen and make changes if needed. Shoot us a message!
While some breed profiles go into more depth than other in terms of health, on the whole the health aspects are kept purposefully short for a reason. We have found that when choosing a breed, some people put too much emphasis on finding a breed with as few health issues as possible… which may set them up for heartache later on. All dogs are subject to accidents – some which can be incredibly expensive! In addition, even in the healthiest breeds, some unlucky dogs will still develop horrible health issues (this is true of mixed breeds as well). A prospective owner should be aware that ANY dog they acquire may need costly medical treatment should an unlucky incidence occur, and should therefore not base their decision ONLY on “the healthiest breed” if they can’t afford an expensive incident.
Does that mean a prospective owner should “go in blind” in terms of health? No. Once a prospective breed match is being considered, we recommend learning which health issues are most common in the chosen breed/s, and which health tests are recommended for breeders to screen for. As this can be an ever-changing thing, the prospective owner would do best to consult the breed’s parent club for the latest information.
Finally – in terms of health there is a BIG difference between obtaining a dog from a reputable breeder and getting one from a pet store, “backyard breeder”, or even from a rescue! Be aware that your chances of buying a dog with a health issue go down drastically as long as you obtain a pup from a knowledgeable, reputable breeder. If you want to rescue – great! Just choose a reputable rescue (not all of them are ethical) and be aware of the potential health risks since dogs from rescue often come from unknown or poor backgrounds.
The information provided on The Academic Hound is based on direct experience, research, breed standards, and general trends within each breed. However, individual dogs may vary significantly and factors such as genetics, environment, training, and socialization can influence a dog’s personality, behavior, and suitability for certain homes or lifestyles.
While we strive to be as accurate as possible, these breed profiles are intended for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for choosing a breed. We encourage potential dog owners to do additional research, consult with breeders, breed clubs or rescue organizations, and consider their personal circumstances before making any decisions.
The Academic Hound is not responsible for any decisions or outcomes resulting from the use of this website’s content.