Dog Breeds Groups: Everything You Need to Know (Part 2)

Federation Cynologique Internationale

This is where things get a little strange and deviate from what we have seen with the AKC and KC. 

The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), or World Canine Oganization in English, is an international federation of several national kennel clubs and is standard for most other countries outside the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

FCI Membership Map

As previously mentioned, the FCI’s dog groups seem to be a blend of purpose, physical attributes, shared heritage, and breeds of shared regional origin. Because of this, there are many breeds that are not commonly known in the United States. So, you might just see some breeds you weren’t previously aware of.

Brief History of the FCI

The FCI was formed in 1911 by Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.  The group broke apart during World War I, as all these countries were involved, and was eventually reformed in 1921 by Belgium and France.  

Today the FCI is headquartered in Thuin, Belgium and has members in 98 countries. The AKC, the KC, and the Canadian Kennel Club are not members. 

The FCI Dog Groups

Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)

This group is similar to the herding group of the AKC and the Pastoral group of the KC. These are the dogs that helped farmers herd and move stock. The main distinction is that the FCI has this group divided in two sections:

• Sheepdogs
• Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)

List of FCI Sheepdog and Cattledog Breeds

Section 1: Sheepdogs
Australian Kelpie	Maremma and the Abruzzes Sheepdog
Australian Shepherd	Mudi
Bearded Collie	Old English Sheedog
Belgian Shepard Dog	Picardy Sheepdog
Bergamasco Shepherd Dog	Polis Lowland SHeepdog
Berger De Beauce	Portuguese Sheepdog
Border Collie	Puli
Briard	Pumi
Catalan Sheepdog	Pyrenean Sheepdog – Smooth Faced
Collie Rough	Romanian Carpathian Shepherd Dog
Collie Smooth	Romanian Mioritic Shepher Dog
Croatian Shepherd Dog	Saarloos Wolfhond
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog	Schipperke
Dutch Schapendoes	Shetland Sheepdog
Dutch Shepherd Dog	Slovakian Chuvach
German Shepherd Dog	South Russian Shepherd Dog
Komondor	Tatra Shepherd Dog
Kuvasz	Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)
Long-Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog	Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)
Majorca Shepherd Dog	White Swiss Shepherd Dog

Section 2: Cattledogs (except Swiss cattledogs)
Australian Cattle Dog
Bouvier Des Ardennes
Bouvier Des Flandres
Cattledogs

You can find more breed information on the FCI Sheepdog and Cattledog page HERE.

Group 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer (Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs)

The FCI specifically separates Pinschers and Schnauzers, Molossoids, and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs into their own group. This groups consists of 3 sections:

Pinscher and Schnauzer – These dogs are German breeds used for hunting rats and use as a guard dog. These dogs come in very different sizes – miniature, standard, and giant

Molossoids – these dogs are large breeds believed to be descended from the Molossus. The Molossus was a large, ferocious dog from the ancient kingdom of Molossis (modern-day western Greece).  These dogs are split into two sub groups: 

• Mastiff type –  which include Great Dane, Boxer, Mastiffs, and Rottweiler to name a few. 
• Mountain type – which include Newfounland, Great Pyrenees, and Saint Bernard

Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs – This type is specifically for Swiss dogs and only includes four breeds: Appenzell Cattle Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Entlebuch Cattle Dog, and the Great Swiss Mountain Dog. 

List of FCI Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoids, and Swiss Mountain and Cattledog Breeds

Section 1: Pinscher and Schanuzer Type
Affenpinscher	Giant Schnauzer
Austrian Pinscher	Minature Pinscher
Danish-Swedish Farmdog	Miniature Schnauzer
Dobermann	Russian Black Terrier
Dutch Smoushond	Schnauzer
German Pinscher

Section 2: Molossoids
Atlas Mountain Dog	Landseer
Boxer	Leonberger
Broholmer	Majorca Mastiff
Bulldog	Mastiff
Bullmastiff	Neapolitan Mastiff
Castro Laboreiro Dog	Newfoundland
Causasian Shepherd dog	Presa Canario
Cetral Asia Shepherd Dog	Pyrenean Mastiff
Cimarron Uruguayo	Rafeiro of Alentejo
Croatian Shepherd Dog	Romanian Bocovina Shepherd
Dogo Argentino	Rottweiler
Doug De Bordeaux	Saint Miguel Cattle Dog
Estela Mountain Dog	Shar Pei
Fila Brasileiro	Spanish Mastiff
Great Dane	St. Bernard
Great Pyrenees	Tibetan Mastiff
Hovawart	Tosa
Italian Cane Corso	Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog
Kangal Shepherd Dog
Karst Shepherd Dog

Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
Appenzell Cattle Dog	Entlebuch Cattle Dog
Bernese Mountain Dog	Great Swiss Mountain Dog

You can find more breed information on the FCI Pinscher and Schnauzer page HERE. 

Group 3: Terriers

The Terrier group of the FCI is again slightly different from the AKC or the KC. This group consists of dogs originally bred for vermin, but also includes dogs historically used for dog fighting or other dog blood sports.  The Terrier group is split into four sections:

• Large and medium sized Terriers – includes larger terriers such as Airedale Terrier.
• Small sized Terriers – includes Jack Russell Terriers, Scottish Terriers, and more.
• Bull type Terriers – This type includes Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Staffordshire Terrier. 
• Toy Terriers – this type includes Yorkshire Terrier and other very small  terriers. 

List of FCI Terrier Breeds

Section 1: Large and medium sized Terriers
Airedale Terrier	Irish Terrier
Bedlinton Terrier	Kerry Blue Terrier
Border Terrier	Lakeland Terrier
Fox Terrier (Smooth)	Manchester Terrier
Fox Terrier (Wire)	Parson Russell Terrier
Irish Glen of Imall Terrier	Welsh Terrier
Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Section 2: Small sized Terriers
Australian Terrier	Norwich Terrier
Cesky Terrier	Scottish Terrier
Cairn Terrier	Sealyham Terrier
Dandie Dinmont Terrier	Skye Terrier
Jack Russel Terrier	West Highland White Terrier
Norfolk Terrier	Japanese Terrier

Section 3: Bull type Terriers
American Staffordshire Terrier	Miniature Bull Terrier
Bull Terrier	Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Section 4: Toy Terriers
Australian Silky Terrier	Yorkshire Terrier
English Toy Terrier

You can find more breed information on the FCI Terrier page HERE.

Group 4: Dachshunds

The FCI, unlike the AKC or the KC, has a separate group just for all the varieties of the Dachshund. These dogs were bred in 16th century Germany and surrounding areas to hunt burrowing animals. Believe it or not, there are actually three different sizes of Dachshunds ranging from less than 10 pounds all the way up to around 30 pounds. 

You can find more breed information on the FCI Dachshunds page HERE.

Group 5: Spitz and Primitive Types

Another split from the AKC and the KC is the Spitz and Primitive Type group. This group consists of the most ancient dog breeds in the world. These are the dogs that are believed to be a step closer to their wild ancestors – retaining some wild traits like strong prey drive or resourcefulness. 

There are seven sections of dogs in the Spitz and Primitive group:

• Nodic Sled Dogs – These dogs are exactly what their name implies. They are northern breeds of dogs bred to pull sleds all over the cold regions of north. The Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute are just two of the dogs in this group. 
• Nordic Hunting Dogs – These dogs are not terribly well known outside of their Scandanavian and Russian homes of origin (Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia) . However, these dogs were bred to hunt game in the cold tundra of the northern parts of the globe. 
• Nordic Watchdogs and Herders – Similarly, this group is also not incredibly well known outside Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. These dogs served as sentries, herding companions, and even flock guarding in these Scandanavian countries. 
• European Spitz – There are only two breeds that make up this group of Spitz that developed in Europe: German Spitz and the Vopino Italiano (Italian Foxy). 
• Asian Spitz and related breeds – This type contains more the the internationally known breeds of Spitz that developed in Asia. This group consists of the Akita, Shiba Inu, and Chow Chow, to name a few. 
• Primitive type – The five dog breeds in this type are very old – thousands of years old, and are very popular in the regions they originate from.
• Primitive type – Hunting Dogs – Likewise, this type is some of the oldest hunting dogs in the world. 

List of FCI Spitz and Primitive types

Section 1: Nordic Sled Dogs
Alaskan Malamute	Samoyed
Canadian Eskimo Dog	Siberian Husky
Greenland Dog

Section 2: Nordic Hunting Dogs
East Siberian Laika	Norwegian Elkhound (Black)
Finish Spitz	Norwegian Elkhound (Grey)
Jamthund	Norwegian Lundehund
Karelian Bear Dog	Russian-European Laika
Norrbottenspitz	West Siberian Laika

Section 3: Nordic Watchdogs and Herders
Finnish Lapponian Dog	Norwegian Buhund
Icelandic Sheepdog	Swedish Lapphund
Lapponian Herder	Swedish Vallhund

Section 4: European Spitz
German Spitz	Italian Volpino

Section 5: Asian Spitz and related breeds
Akita	Kai
American Akita	Kishu
Chow Chow	Korea Jindo Dog
Eurasian	Shiba
Hokkaido	Shikoku
Japanese Spitz

Section 6: Primitive type
Basenji	Pharaoh Hound
Canaan Dog	Xoloitzcuintle
Peruvian Hairless Dog

Section 7: Primitive type – Hunting Dogs
Canarian Warren Hound	Potuguese Podengo
Cirneco Dell’Etna	Taiwan Dog
Ibizan Podenco	Thai Ridgeback Dog

You can find more breed information on the FCI Spitz and Primitive page HERE.

Group 6: Scent Hounds and related breeds

The Scent Hound and related breed group are very similar to scent hound portion of the AKC and KC groups. The difference here is that the FCI has scent hounds in their own group. 

The Scent Hounds are split into three sections:

• Scent Hounds – the traditional breeds like Beagle, Basset Hound, and Bloodhound. There are 64 breeds in this type. 
• Leash (scent) Hounds – three breeds make up this type: Hannover hound, Alpine Dachsbracke, and Bavarian Mountain Hound. 
• Related Breeds – Only two dogs make up this type: Dalmatian and the Rhodesian Ridgeback. 

List of FCI Scent Hounds and related breeds

Section 1: Scent Hounds
American Foxhound	French White and Orange Hound	Norman Artesien Basset
Ariegeois	Gascon Saintongeois	Norwegian Hound
Artois Hound	German Hound	Ogar Polski
Austian Black and Tan Hound	Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen	Otterhound
Basset Fauve De Bretagne	Grand Griffon Vendeen	Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Basset Hound	Great Anglo-French Tricolor Hound	Poitevin
Beagle	Great Anglo-French White & Black Hound	Polish Hunting Dog
Beagle Harrier	Great Anglo-French White & Orange Hound	Porcelaine
Billy	Great Gascony Blue	Posavatz Hound
Black and Tan Coonhound	Griffon Nivernais	Schillerstövare
Bloodhound	Halden Hound	Serbian Hound
Blue Gascony Basset	Hamiltonstövare	Serbian Tricolor Hound
Blue Gascony Griffon	Harrier	Slovakian Hound
Bosnian Broken-Haired Hound (Barak)	Hellenic Hound	Smalandsstövare
Brever	Hungarian Hound	Small Blue Gascony
Briquet Griffon Vendeen	Hygen Hound	Small Swiss Hound
Coarse-Haired Styrian Hound	Istrian Short-Haired Hound	Spanish Hound
English Foxhound	Istrian Wire-Haired Hound	Swiss Hound
Fawn Brittany Griffon	Italian Rough-Haired Segugio	Tyrolean Hound
Finnish Hound	Italian Short-Haired Segugio	Westphalian Dachsbracke
French Tricolor Hound	Medium-Sized Anglo-French Hound
French White & Black Hound	Montenegrin Mountain Hound

Section 2: Leash (scent) Hounds
Alpine Dachsbracke	Hanoverian Scent Hound
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound

Section 3: Related Breeds
Dalmatian	Rhodesian Ridgeback

You can find more breed information on the FCI Scent Hounds page HERE. 

Group 7: Pointing Dogs

The FCI Pointing Dog group is very much in line with its name. This group is home to the pointer and setters in the dog world. 

The group is split into two sections:

• Continental Pointing Dogs
• British and Irish Pointers and Setters

List of FCI Pointing Dog breeds

Section 1: Continental Pointing Dogs
Ariege Pointing Dog	Italian Pointing Dog
Auvergne Pointer	Italian Spinone
Blue Picardy Spaniel	Kleiner Munsterlander
Bohemian Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon	Large Munsterlander
Braque Du Bourbonnais	Old Danish Pointing Dog
Brittan Spaniel	Picardy Spaniel
Burgos Pointing Dog	Pont-Audemer Spaniel
Deutsch Langaar	Portuguese Pointing Dog
Deutsch Stichelhaar	Pudelpointer
Drentsche Partridge Dog	Saint Germain Pointer
French Pointing Dog – Gascogne Type	Stabijhoun
French Pointing Dog – Pyrenean Type	Vizsla
French Spaniel	Weimaraner
German Short-Haired Pointer	Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon Korthals
German Wire-Haired Pointer	Wirehaired Slovakian Pointer
Hungarian Wire-Haired Pointer

Section 2: British and Irish Pointers and Setters
English Pointer	Irish Red and White Setter
English Setter	Irish Red Setter
Gordon Setter

You can find more breed information on the FCI Pointing Dog page HERE.

Group 8: Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs

The Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs group is where you will find all the retrievers, wate dogs, and spaniels in the FCI. 

This group have three sections:

• Retrievers – these dogs are specifically the dogs with “retriever” in their name. This does not include any other breeds used for retrieving. 
• Flushing Dogs – this section consists of all the spaniel dogs. 
• Water Dogs – these dogs are the ones bred to flush and retrieve game from water. 

List of FCI Retriever – Flushing Dogs – Water Dog breeds

Section 1: Retrievers
Chesapeake Bay Retreiver	Golden Retriever
Curly Coated Retriever	Labrador Retriever
Flat Coated Retriever	Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Section 2: Flushing Dogs
American Cocker Spaniel	German Spaniel
Clumber Spaniel	Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
English Cocker Spaniel	Sussex Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel	Welsh Springer Spaniel
Field Spaniel

Section 3: Water Dogs
American Water Spaniel	Portuguese Water Dog
French Water Dog	Romagna Water Dog
Irish Water Spaniel	Spanish Water dog

You can find more breed information on the FCI’s Retriever – Flushing Dog – Water Dog page HERE.

Companion and Toy Dogs

The Companion group of the FCI has the most sub types of any group. This is where you find all the small dogs and lap dogs of the canine world. 

The group has 11 sections:

• Bichons and related breeds
• Poodle – all poodles, regardless of size, are found in this section
• Small Belgian Dogs
• Hairless Dogs – this section consists only of the Chinese Crested Dog. 
• Tibetan breeds – this group consists of four breeds from China, such as the Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso.
• Chihuahueno – This section consists of only the Chihuahua. 
• English Toy Spaniels
• Japan Chin and Pekingese – Consists of only the Japan Chin and Pekingese dogs.
• Continental Toy Spaniel and others
• Kromfohrländer – this section consists of only the Kromfohrländer dog of Germany. 
• Small Molossian type Dogs – This section consists of only two breeds: the Boston Terrier and French Bulldog. 

List of FCI Companion and Toy Dog breeds

Section 1: Bichons and related breeds
Bichon Frise	Havanese
Bolognese	Little Lion Dog
Coton De Tulear	Maltese

Section 2: Poodle
Poodle (Standard, Medium, Miniature, and Toy)

Section 3: Small Belgian Dogs
Griffon Belge	Petit Brabancon
Griffon Bruzellois

Section 4: Hairless Dogs
Chinese Crested Dog

Section 5: Tibetan Breeds
Lhasa Apso	Tibetan Spaniel
Shih Tzu	Tibetan Terrier

Section 6: Chihuahueno
Chihuahua

Section 7: English Toy Spaniels
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	King Charles Spaniel

Section 8: Japan Chin and Pekingese
Japanese Chin	Pekingese

Section 9: Continental Toy Spaniel and others
Continental Toy Spaniel	Russian Toy

Section 10: Kromfohrländer
Kromfohrlander

Section 11: Small Molossian Type Dogs
Boston Terrier	Pug
French Bulldog

You can find more breed information on the FCI Companion and Toy page HERE. 

Group 10: Sighthounds 

The final group of the FCI is in line with the Sighthound subgroup of the AKC’s and KC grouping system. These are the hounds that rely on site to chase down prey to trap or kill it. 

This group has three sections:

• Long-haired or fringed Sighthounds
• Rough-haired Sighthounds
• Short-haired Sighthounds

List of FCI Sighthound breeds

Section 1: Long-haired or Fringed Sighthounds
Afghan Hound	Saluki
Borzoi

Section 2: Rough-haired Sighthounds
Deerhound	Irish Wolfhound

Section 3: Short-haired Sighthounds
Azawakh	Polish Greyhound
Greyhound	Sloughi
Hungarian Greyhound	Spanish Greyhound
Italian Sighthound	Whippet

You can find more breed information on the FCI Sighthound page HERE. 

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Conclusion

As you can see, there is some universal agreement on the grouping of dogs, but there are also some pretty significant differences. While the AKC and the KC are in virtually identical structure, the FCI mixes things up a bit by dividing breeds on ancestral roots, abilities, function, and even regional origins. 

As an American or Brit, the FCI may seem very foreign in the way they organize dog groups. However, it is important to know that 98 other countries in the world recognize dogs by the FCI’s grouping. Likewise, there are breeds recognized by the FCI that are not recognized by the AKC or KC.  

There really isn’t a right or wrong answer as far as how to put dogs into groups or types. Within reason of course – I would not classify a Chihuahua as a sporting dog.  At the end of the day, humans all over the globe developed dogs to assist us with all of our many tasks. From guarding to herding, from pulling to lap warmer, humans have figured out how to get a dog to help in nearly every situation. 

No matter the grouping, dogs are an amazing and absolutely crucial part of making human life more enjoyable.