All FCI Dog Breeds by Group: The Complete Breed Directory and Official Standards Guide

Explore all ten FCI dog breed groups, with breed names, standard numbers, origins, and direct links to the official FCI records. This guide also explains what the groups mean, how provisional recognition works, and why a breed standard is not a guarantee of a dog's health or personality.

Fédération Cynologique Internationale

Editorial provenance: the group structure, recognition distinctions and recent additions were checked against the official FCI nomenclature on October 29, 2026. Most individual breed records were compiled from the separately attributed paiv/fci-breeds dataset (MIT licensed); individual links have not all been checked live. This directory is independent and not affiliated with the FCI.

Wondering where a breed belongs? Start with the group index above, then follow a breed name to its individual FCI record. You will find the breed's standard number beside its name, and its recorded country of origin beneath it.

Dog breeds are often organized by the work they were developed to do. That's why a Border Collie, a Dachshund, and a Greyhound appear in different groups. The FCI classification is a useful way to explore those histories, but it is not a personality test or a health rating.

What Is the FCI and How Does Its Breed Directory Work?

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is an international canine organization that maintains breed nomenclature and standards for participating national organizations. Its breed classification has ten groups, divided into more specific sections.

A breed standard number identifies a breed standard, not an individual dog. Different coat colors, sizes, or varieties may appear under one standard. The Dachshund is a good example: its variations do not become separate numbered breeds.

The FCI also distinguishes between definitive recognition and provisional recognition. Both are included in this directory, but they are shown in separate sections so readers do not mistake one status for the other.

About this index: It compiles 344 definitively recognized and 20 provisionally recognized entries from the documented sources consulted. FCI status and standard details can change; the official FCI record is authoritative if an entry differs. This is a research-based directory, not a certification that every individual link has been rechecked.

Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (Except Swiss Cattledogs)

These dogs were developed for moving, organizing, or guarding livestock. They include herding specialists and powerful working dogs, with very different exercise and handling needs.

Consult the FCI's official Group 1 page · 43 definitively recognized breeds listed below.

Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)

Sheepdogs

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Group 2: Pinschers, Schnauzers, Molossoid Breeds and Swiss Mountain Dogs

This diverse group brings together pinschers, schnauzers, mastiff-type dogs, mountain guardians, and Swiss cattle dogs. Shared group membership does not mean identical temperaments.

Consult the FCI's official Group 2 page · 53 definitively recognized breeds listed below.

Pinscher and Schnauzer type

Swiss Mountain- and Cattledogs

Molossian type

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Group 3: Terriers

Many terriers were developed to hunt or control small animals. Their sizes, coats, and personalities vary much more than the single word 'terrier' might suggest.

Consult the FCI's official Group 3 page · 34 definitively recognized breeds listed below.

Large and medium sized Terriers

Bull type Terriers

Toy Terriers

Small sized Terriers

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Group 4: Dachshunds

The FCI lists the Dachshund under one breed standard, with several size and coat varieties. The varieties are not nine separate FCI breeds.

Consult the FCI's official Group 4 page · 1 definitively recognized breed listed below.

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Group 5: Spitz and Primitive Types

Nordic spitz dogs, Asian spitz breeds, and several ancient-type hunting dogs share this broad group. 'Primitive type' is an official classification term, not a claim that a modern breed is unchanged from prehistory.

Consult the FCI's official Group 5 page · 46 definitively recognized breeds listed below.

Asian Spitz and related breeds

Nordic Sledge Dogs

Primitive type

Primitive type - Hunting Dogs

Nordic Hunting Dogs

Nordic Watchdogs and Herders

European Spitz

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Group 6: Scent Hounds and Related Breeds

These breeds are associated with scent-based tracking and hunting, ranging from compact hounds to larger pack-hunting dogs. The group also includes related breeds in a separate section.

Consult the FCI's official Group 6 page · 70 definitively recognized breeds listed below.

Leash (scent) Hounds

Scent hounds

Related breeds

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Group 7: Pointing Dogs

Pointing breeds were traditionally developed to locate game and signal its presence to hunters. The FCI distinguishes continental pointing dogs from British and Irish pointers and setters.

Consult the FCI's official Group 7 page · 36 definitively recognized breeds listed below.

Continental Pointing Dogs

British and Irish Pointers and Setters

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Group 8: Retrievers, Flushing Dogs and Water Dogs

This group includes retrievers, dogs that flush game, and water-working breeds. An inherited working background can shape activity needs, but it never determines the personality of every individual dog.

Consult the FCI's official Group 8 page · 22 definitively recognized breeds listed below.

Flushing Dogs

Water Dogs

Retrievers

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Group 9: Companion and Toy Dogs

From tiny lapdogs to sturdy companion breeds, these dogs have diverse histories. A small body does not automatically mean simple care, low exercise needs, or good health.

Consult the FCI's official Group 9 page · 26 definitively recognized breeds listed below.

Bichons and related breeds

Small Molossian type Dogs

English Toy Spaniels

Chihuahueno

Hairless Dogs

Continental Toy Spaniel and others

Small Belgian Dogs

Japan Chin and Pekingese

Kromfohrländer

Tibetan breeds

Poodle

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Group 10: Sighthounds

Sighthounds have often been selected for speed and hunting by sight. Their histories span many regions, and their modern welfare needs differ by breed and individual.

Consult the FCI's official Group 10 page · 13 definitively recognized breeds listed below.

Long-haired or fringed Sighthounds

Short-haired Sighthounds

Rough-haired Sighthounds

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Provisionally Recognized FCI Dog Breeds

Provisional recognition is an official FCI status, not a synonym for an unrecognized breed. The FCI explains that provisionally recognized breeds may compete for certain FCI titles but are not eligible for the CACIB until they achieve definitive recognition. Check the current FCI recognition list for updates.

These 20 entries are grouped by their assigned FCI group. Four breeds recognized provisionally in February 2026 (standards 375–378) have been added to the earlier reference dataset using the FCI's live nomenclature.

Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (Except Swiss Cattledogs)

Group 2: Pinschers, Schnauzers, Molossoid Breeds and Swiss Mountain Dogs

Group 3: Terriers

Group 5: Spitz and Primitive Types

Group 6: Scent Hounds and Related Breeds

Group 9: Companion and Toy Dogs

Group 10: Sighthounds

Common Questions About FCI Dog Breeds

Does an FCI standard mean a breed is healthy?

No. A breed standard describes characteristics associated with a recognized breed. It does not certify an individual dog's health, ethical breeding conditions, suitability for a household, or freedom from inherited disease. Health screening and responsible breeding matter independently of the standard.

Are all popular dog crosses recognized by the FCI?

No. A familiar name, a popular cross, or recognition by a different kennel organization does not automatically give it an FCI breed standard. Check the official nomenclature rather than assuming every name used by breeders or owners represents a separately recognized breed.

Does the FCI group tell me what a dog will be like at home?

Not reliably on its own. Working history can help explain common tendencies, but individual behavior also depends on age, socialization, health, training, environment, and temperament. Use a breed's history as a starting point, not a promise about a particular dog.

Where can I read a breed's official standard?

Select a breed name in this directory. The link goes to an FCI nomenclature record; where available, that record includes the standard, language versions, and additional details. Breed standards can be updated over time.

Why does the directory list 364 breed records rather than one round number?

This edition combines 360 records from a publicly documented dataset with four provisional standards added from the FCI's February 2026 updates. That is the size of this compiled snapshot, not a claim that the FCI's count can never change.

Sources & Further Reading

Compiled October 29, 2026. This independent educational directory is not endorsed by the FCI. It is intended for readers in the United States and elsewhere and uses the FCI rather than American Kennel Club classification.

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