Random Dog Breed Generator
Random dog breeds by AKC breed group.
Random Dog Breed Generator
The Random Dog Breed Generator picks random dog breeds from over 100 recognised breeds, organised into the seven classic breed groups. Use it for quizzes, drawing prompts, stories or just to discover breeds you've never heard of, like the Puli, the Schipperke or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
The seven breed groups
- Sporting – retrievers, spaniels, pointers and setters bred to find and fetch game.
- Hound – scent hounds like the Beagle and Bloodhound, sight hounds like the Greyhound and Saluki.
- Working – Huskies, Rottweilers, Saint Bernards and other dogs that guard, pull or rescue.
- Terrier – feisty diggers like the Jack Russell, Westie and Airedale.
- Toy – small companions such as the Chihuahua, Pomeranian and Pug.
- Non-sporting – a varied group including the Poodle, Dalmatian, French Bulldog and Shiba Inu.
- Herding – Border Collies, German Shepherds, Corgis and other livestock dogs.
Ideas
Dog quiz night. Generate ten breeds and ask players to name the group, the country of origin or the original job of each dog.
Drawing practice. Dog breeds vary enormously in shape – a Dachshund and a Great Dane are great anatomy studies. Roll a breed and draw it from reference.
Story and game characters. Give a character's dog a specific breed to bring the scene to life.
Learning about breeds before adopting. Roll breeds from the group that fits your lifestyle and read up on their exercise and grooming needs.
How to use
Choose a breed group or keep All, set the number of breeds and press Generate. Turn on Show breed group to see each breed's group and purpose. Starts with filters by first letter and No repeats keeps the list unique. Runs entirely in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which breed groups are used?
The seven groups used by the American Kennel Club: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-sporting and Herding, with 15 well-known breeds in each.
What does Show breed group add?
It adds the group name and what dogs in that group were originally bred for, e.g. 'Border Collie (Herding group) – bred to move livestock – smart and highly trainable'.
Can I find a breed that suits my home?
The breed groups give a rough idea – toy breeds suit small flats, working and herding dogs need lots of exercise – but always read about the specific breed and meet the dog before adopting.
Are designer mixes like Labradoodles included?
No, the list sticks to recognised purebred breeds. Mixed-breed dogs appear in the Random Pet Generator.