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Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies

Dog breed groups quiz: test your AKC knowledge

Quick, free dog breed quiz on AKC groups. Instant results with explanations.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Meredith HarwoodUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of AKC dog breeds on golden yellow background for free breed quiz challenge

This quiz helps you master AKC dog breed groups by matching breeds to their official categories and key traits. Get instant feedback on each question and learn as you go. For more practice, try our dog breed identification quiz or take the tougher dog breed names quiz.

Which breed group does the Labrador Retriever belong to?
Sporting
Herding
Hound
Working
The Labrador Retriever is classified in the Sporting Group due to its origin as a waterfowl retriever, bred to swim and retrieve game. They are known for their friendly nature and keen ability to work in the field. This group includes dogs like Spaniels, Setters, and Retrievers.
Which group is known for breeds that were originally used for hunting game?
Sporting
Terrier
Non-Sporting
Toy
The Sporting Group was developed to assist hunters in the field by helping to locate, flush, and retrieve game. Breeds in this group include Retrievers, Setters, Spaniels, and Pointers. They typically have high energy and thrive with regular exercise.
Which group includes breeds bred to guard property and pull sleds?
Sporting
Hound
Toy
Working
The Working Group includes dogs bred for tasks such as guarding property, pulling sleds, and performing water rescues. Breeds like the Siberian Husky, Rottweiler, and Doberman Pinscher are classic examples. They are strong, intelligent, and require consistent training.
Which group is known for small companion breeds?
Herding
Toy
Sporting
Non-Sporting
The Toy Group consists of small companion breeds bred primarily for companionship. They often adapt well to apartment living and are known for their affectionate personalities. Breeds like the Chihuahua and Pomeranian are members of this group.
The Border Collie belongs to which AKC group?
Working
Sporting
Non-Sporting
Herding
The Border Collie is classified in the Herding Group, as it was bred to control and move livestock. Known for exceptional intelligence and agility, it excels in herding trials and canine sports. They require mental stimulation and regular exercise.
The Dachshund is part of which group?
Toy
Hound
Non-Sporting
Terrier
Dachshunds are classified in the Hound Group, originally bred to scent, track, and flush out burrow-dwelling animals like badgers. Their elongated bodies and short legs are ideal for entering underground dens.
Breeds in the Terrier group are primarily bred for what purpose?
Herding livestock
Controlling vermin
Pulling sleds
Retrieving birds
Terriers were originally developed to hunt and kill vermin such as rats and foxes. They are known for their feisty personalities and high energy. Breeds include the Jack Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier, and Bull Terrier.
Which group includes the Poodle?
Toy
Working
Non-Sporting
Sporting
The Poodle is placed in the Non-Sporting Group, which is a diverse collection of breeds that do not fit into the other categories. Poodles come in Standard, Miniature, and Toy sizes and are known for their intelligence and hypoallergenic coat.
Which AKC group is characterized by breeds with a thick double coat designed for cold weather work?
Hound
Toy
Terrier
Working
The Working Group includes breeds such as the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute, which have thick double coats to protect them in arctic temperatures. These dogs were originally bred for sled pulling and Arctic expeditions. They are strong, resilient, and require heavy exercise.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is classified in which group?
Terrier
Sporting
Herding
Non-Sporting
The American Staffordshire Terrier belongs to the Terrier Group. Terriers are generally feisty, energetic, and were bred to hunt small animals. The AmStaff is known for its strength and loyalty.
Which group includes breeds like the Chinese Shar-Pei and Bulldog?
Working
Sporting
Toy
Non-Sporting
The Non-Sporting Group is a diverse category that includes the Chinese Shar-Pei and Bulldog among others. These breeds vary widely in size, coat, and purpose but don't fit into the other six groups.
Which AKC group generally features breeds that herd livestock?
Terrier
Herding
Hound
Non-Sporting
The Herding Group consists of breeds developed to control movement of livestock. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and German Shepherds are key examples. These dogs exhibit strong instincts to gather, herd, and protect animals.
Which of these is NOT a characteristic typical of Sporting group dogs?
Herding instinct
Water-repellent coats
Retrieving instinct
High energy
Sporting dogs are known for high energy, retrieving instincts, and often water-repellent coats, but they were not bred to herd livestock. Herding instincts are a hallmark of the Herding Group instead.
Which group includes the Shiba Inu?
Non-Sporting
Hound
Herding
Sporting
The Shiba Inu is classified in the Non-Sporting Group. Despite its hunting origins in Japan, it doesn't fit the Sporting or Hound criteria, so it falls under Non-Sporting.
Which group is specialized in scent detection and trailing game?
Working
Herding
Hound
Toy
The Hound Group is divided into scent hounds and sight hounds, with scent hounds like the Bloodhound and Beagle specialized in tracking game by scent. These breeds have an exceptional sense of smell and endurance.
Which AKC group does the French Bulldog belong to?
Toy
Non-Sporting
Sporting
Terrier
The French Bulldog is placed in the Non-Sporting Group. They are compact, sturdy, and bred for companionship, fitting the broad Non-Sporting classification.
Which AKC group would the Basenji fall under?
Non-Sporting
Herding
Terrier
Hound
The Basenji is classified in the Hound Group, specifically as a scent hound, though it is unique for its barkless vocalizations. It originates from Central Africa where it was used for hunting.
Which group includes the Afghan Hound?
Non-Sporting
Hound
Working
Sporting
The Afghan Hound is in the Hound Group, specifically as a sight hound, prized for its speed and distinctive flowing coat. They were historically used to chase prey across the rugged mountains of Afghanistan.
Breeds known for pulling sleds, farm labor, and rescue operations are in which group?
Working
Terrier
Herding
Sporting
The Working Group encompasses breeds like the Saint Bernard, Siberian Husky, and Mastiff which have been used for pulling sleds, guarding property, and search-and-rescue roles. Their strength and intelligence make them suited to these tasks.
Which group has the largest number of recognized breeds?
Working
Sporting
Hound
Herding
The Sporting Group is the largest AKC group, featuring breeds developed to assist hunters in finding, flushing, and retrieving game. It contains over 30 recognized breeds, more than any other group.
Komondor belongs to which group?
Working
Terrier
Non-Sporting
Herding
The Komondor is in the Working Group, historically used in Hungary to guard sheep. Its distinctive corded coat offers protection from predators.
Which group includes the Keeshond?
Toy
Herding
Working
Non-Sporting
The Keeshond is classified in the Non-Sporting Group. Although originally used as a barge dog in the Netherlands, it doesn't fit into the sporting or working categories.
What trait is NOT typical of the Non-Sporting group?
Adaptable to urban living
Diverse size and coat types
Varying skill sets
Highly specialized for a single purpose
The Non-Sporting Group is a catch-all category for breeds that don't fit elsewhere; it is known for diversity in size, coat, and temperament and adaptability to urban living, not for specialization in a single task.
Which AKC group includes breeds known for racing and coursing speed?
Hound
Terrier
Working
Sporting
Sight hounds, part of the Hound Group, were bred for speed and used in coursing and racing events. Breeds like the Greyhound and Whippet excel in these activities.
The Belgian Laekenois is one of the four Belgian sheepdog varieties. In which AKC group is it classified?
Herding
Working
Terrier
Sporting
The Belgian Laekenois, along with the Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, and Belgian Tervuren, is part of the Herding Group. These varieties were developed to manage and protect flocks in Belgium.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify AKC Breed Groups -

    Understand the seven official American Kennel Club dog breed groups and their defining characteristics.

  2. Match Dog Breeds to Their AKC Groups -

    Apply your knowledge to correctly classify various dog breeds into their respective AKC groups during the quiz.

  3. Differentiate Key Breed Characteristics -

    Recognize unique physical traits and temperaments that distinguish breeds across different AKC groups.

  4. Recall Specialty and Miscellaneous Categories -

    Identify less common and miscellaneous AKC breed groups, reinforcing your comprehensive breed knowledge.

  5. Evaluate Performance on AKC Dog Breed Quiz -

    Use your quiz score to assess strengths and pinpoint areas for further learning about dog breed groups AKC recognizes.

  6. Plan Targeted Learning Strategies -

    Develop an action plan to focus on weaker areas, preparing you for deeper study of American Kennel Club breed categories.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The Seven Core AKC Groups -

    Understanding the seven AKC breed groups - Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding - is essential for acing the akc dog breed quiz. Use the mnemonic "Some Happy Workers Tell Tiny New Herds" to recall each group in order. These categories, defined by the American Kennel Club, reflect historical functions and breeding purposes.

  2. Sporting Group Characteristics -

    Sporting dogs are bred for waterfowl retrieval and field work, featuring high energy and strong swimming instincts (AKC.org). Think Labrador Retrievers and English Setters - both excel in fetch and pointer drills. Remember "Fetch & Fowl" to link Sporting with water retrieval tasks.

  3. Hound vs. Herding Distinctions -

    Hounds track prey by scent or sight, like the Bloodhound's legendary nose, while Herding breeds, such as the Border Collie, manage livestock movements (University of Illinois Extension). A quick tip: "Hounds Hunt, Herders Herd." This contrast is often tested in the akc breed quiz on dog breed groups akc.

  4. Terrier and Toy Group Traits -

    Terriers are feisty vermin hunters (e.g., Jack Russell Terrier), whereas Toys are bred primarily for companionship (e.g., Chihuahua) according to the AKC. Use the phrase "Tiny Toys, Tenacious Terriers" to keep their roles straight. Their size difference and original purpose often catch quiz-takers off guard.

  5. Working vs. Non-Sporting Roles -

    Working breeds like the Siberian Husky and Boxer handle tasks such as sled pulling and guard duties, while Non-Sporting dogs like the Bulldog and Dalmatian fall into diverse roles beyond sport or work (AKC). A helpful note: "Workers Work, Non-Sporting's a Mix." This distinction is key for a top akc breed quiz score.

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