FCI Groups

There are hundreds of dog breeds worldwide, though many of them share common traits. For convenience, the FCI places several breeds into distinct groups.

Sheep and Cattle Dogs – Group 1

Most in this group weigh between 45 – 75lbs and are 22″ – 30″ tall, and have shaggy, often long coats. Dogs in this group include the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog and Australian Cattle Dog.

Pinchser and Schnauzer – Group 2

Pincher and Schnauzer breeds usually have a dark, smooth coat, although some can be grey or tan. The weight for dogs in this category varies, with some larger breeds weighing as much as 85lbs-135lbs and miniatures weighing between 8 and 15lbs. Dogs in this group include the Pinscher, Doberman, Schnauzer and Black Russian Terrier.

Mastiff Type – Group 2

Dogs in this category usually possess a short, smooth and thick coat. Their weight varies from 75lbs to 130lbs, with the typical height between 22″ and 30″. Dogs in this group include Boxer, Bulldog, Mastiff, Rottweiler and Dogue de Bordeaux.

Mountain Type and Swiss – Group 2

These dogs come in all coat colours, with hair that is usually smooth and in some cases resistant to weather damage. Weight ranges from 80lbs to 140lbs and height from 22″ to 34″. Dogs in this category include the Landseer, and the Newfoundland.

Terriers, Large and Medium – Group 3

Large and medium sized Terriers generally have wiry or curly coats, with tan and black common colours. Terriers in this category range from 17lbs to 25lbs, but some larger breeds can reach up to 40lbs. Terriers rarely grow larger than 20″, with many around 15″. Dogs in this group include the Irish Terrier, Fox Terrier, Welsh Terrier and Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Terriers, Small – Group 3

Terriers generally have wiry coats, although some can have smooth undercoats; they are generally a sandy or tan colour, with some black or pepper. They generally weigh between 12lbs and 14lbs although some, such as the Skye Terrier, can weigh up to 25lbs. Height ranges from 8 to 14″. Dogs in this group include the Cairn Terrier, Norfolk Terrier and West Highland White Terrier.

Terriers, Bull Type and Toy – Group 3

Bull Type Terriers have short and smooth coats, with black and white common colours. They typically weigh between 40lbs to 80lbs and grow to 17-22″. Toy terriers are much lighter, usually not above 13lbs and 12″. Coats can vary from smooth to coarse. Dogs in this category include the Miniature Bull Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier and Australian Silky Terrier.

Dachshunds – Group 4

Dachshunds come in a variety of shades, with red and tan and black the most common colours. They weigh between 15lbs and 28lbs and reach 10-15″ in height. Dachshunds have particularly long bodies.

Nordic Spitz – Group 5

These dogs usually possess thick coats, are black, white or a mixture of both. They weigh between 55lbs and 80lbs and grow between 15″ and 23″. Dogs in this category include the Finnish Spitz .

European and Asian Spitz – Group 5

European and Asian Spitz usually have thick, sometimes woolly coats. Colours can rage from white to red, black, sable, fawn and tan or a mixture. They grow to 17 – 22″ and weigh 40 -775lbs, although the Pomeranain, a much smaller dog, is also part of the category. It grows to 11″ and weighs 3-7lbs. Dogs in this category include the German Spitz, and Japanese Shiba Inu.

Primative Type and Native Non-FCI – Group 5

Colors can vary among Primative Types, with weight ranging between 21lbs and 59lbs and grow to 16-25″. The coats of Native Non-FCI Types, a category containing just the Austalian Dingo and Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, range from red to blue, weigh 30-42lbs and grow to 20-23.5″. Dogs in this section include the Canaan Dog, Thai Ridgeback Dog, Pharaoh Hound and Podengo Portugueso.

Scenthounds, Large – Group 6

Large Scenthounds have short, dense coats, and although some can be any colour, red, copper, white and a mixture of the three are common. Weight ranges from 62lbs to 110lbs, and height from 23″ to 28″. Dogs in this section include the Foxhound.

Scenthounds, Medium – Group 6

Medium-sized Scenthounds can be found with black, white and tan coats, with most short and dense. Their height ranges from 18 – 24″ and their weight from 35 – 55lbs.

Scenthounds, Small – Group 6

Small Scenthounds have short, smooth coats, usually a tricolour mix of black, white and tan. They typically weigh between 30 – 60lbs and are less than 14″ tall. Dogs in this section include the Basset Griffon Vendéen, and the Beagle.

Leash Hounds and Related – Group 6

These dogs generally possess white, red or black coats, often a mix of each, with a short and dense hair. Weight varies between 30lbs and 77lbs and height ranges from 19″ to 27″. Dogs in this section include the Bavarian Mountain Hound, Dalmatian, and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Continental Pointing Dogs, Braque – Group 7

Coats can range from short and fine to short and thick, mostly white, black or chestnut in appearance. Weight ranges from 40lbs to 62lbs and height from 22″ to 27″. Dogs in this category include the Bracco Italiano, and Hungarian Vizsla.

Continental Pointing Dogs, Spaniel and Griffon – Group 7

These dogs’ coats range from wiry and dense to smooth and thin, with a mixture of black, white and liver common. They weigh between 28lbs and 55lbs and grow to 18 – 25″ in height. Dogs in this section include the Wirehaired Pointing Dogs.

Pointers and Setters of the British Isles – Group 7

Pointer and Setters often have flat, long and silky coats, with white, tan and black common colours. They weigh between 40lbs and 80lbs and grow to 23-30″ tall. Dogs in this section include the Pointer, English Setter, Irish Setter and Irish Red and White Setter.

Retrievers, Flushing and Water Dogs – Group 8

These dogs often have long, wavy coats, and vary in shades, although gold is often seen. Their weight ranges from 55lbs to 80lbs, and their height from 21″ to 27″. Dogs included in this category are the American Cocker Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Dutch Spaniel and the Spanish Water Dog.

Toy – Group 9

These dogs often have silky. straight and long coats, with colours varying, although some, such as the Bolognese are pure white. Weight ranges from 5lbs to 30lbs, and height from less that 10″ to 16″. Dogs in this section are the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Maltese, Chinese Crested, Pug and Poodle.

Sighthounds – Group 10

Most dogs in this category have smooth and silky coats in all colours. Some exceptions are the Deerhound and Irish Wolfhound, which have coarser coats. Most weigh between 70lbs and 120lbs and grow to 23-34″ tall. Dogs in this category include the Deerhound, Afghan Hound, Irish Wolfhound and Italian Greyhound.