A purebred puppy or dog is a dog whose parents and ancestors are members of the same breed.
With a purebred dog, both parent dogs conform to a specific breed standard.
(A breed standard is a written document in which is outlined the ideal physical traits, body movements, and temperament for a specific breed. For example, the traits recorded as the German Shepherd breed standard are today what determines if a dog is truly German Shepherd or not.)
Not to mention, the purebred dog has a detailed and well-documented pedigree.
Years ago, purebred dogs were created by humans to complete specific tasks. Breeders were very intentional to purposefully mix differing dog breeds in order to create a breed that was skilled in completing a specific task.
For example, there were breeds who excelled in working while others thrived in herding. Some breeds enjoyed sporting activities, and others made fantastic watchdogs.
Today for various reasons, the price tag for a purebred dog is typically higher than that of a mixed breed. This will, of course, vary depending on which breed or breeds both parent dogs belong to.
Before we go on, it is important to note that a purebred dog is not necessarily synonymous with a high-quality dog. While this is often the case, unfortunately not every purebred dog breeder is intentional to raise high-quality canines.
In addition, no matter how meticulous a breeder is, there are always strengths and weaknesses to any purebred dog, regardless of the breed.
So in today’s post, we’ll be talking about the positives and negatives associated with purebred dogs. For a bonus, we’ll also dive into a current list of 274 purebred dogs.
What’s Bad About Purebred Dogs?
Let’s start with the negative first.
1. Inbreeding
First, to create a purebred puppy, a breeder needs two dogs from the exact same gene pool.
Combining a Poodle with a German Shepherd simply won’t do when you are breeding for a purebred.
Instead, it is important to find both a male and female German Shepherd who meet the breed standard in order to create more purebred German Shepherd puppies.
In addition, many dog clubs today require that dogs within the club are bred with other dogs within the same club.
As you can imagine, this drastically limits the available gene pool and concurrently spikes the risk of genetic defects with any given purebred breed.
Unfortunately, breeding within a particular dog club is not the only problem. Sometimes dogs will be bred to others within the same family.
The result creates a pressing issue of inbreeding.
Defects of inbreeding place purebred dogs at a higher risk for
- cancer
- tumors
- joint and bone disorders
- skin, immune system, and neurological diseases
- epilepsy
- heart disease
- eye disease
- endocrine system diseases
- digestive disorders, and more.
Say hello to inbreeding and after a few generations, the results can feel catastrophic.
If you are looking for a purebred dog, always talk to the breeder first to learn your puppy’s bloodlines and if there are any genetic disorders known in your puppy’s ancestry.
2. Frequent Visits to the Dentist
This is certainly not true of every purebred dog.
Still, thanks to inbreeding and the risks involved in selecting dogs from a limited gene pool, many purebred dogs do suffer from negative health conditions passed down from their parent dogs.
The result? More visits to your local veterinarian and increased vet bills.
3. Behaviors are Hardwired
No matter how hard you might train your dog otherwise, there are some dog traits and behaviors that simply appear hardwired within a particular purebred dog breed.
For example, Siberian Huskies will forever have a love relationship with cold weather.
Border Collies were born to herd and today they still are fond of chasing and nipping at things.
And you’d be totally joking if you tried converting your Cocker Spaniel into a forever lazy couch potato.
The truth is, Huskies were born for cold weather. Border Collies were made to help around the farm and herd livestock, and Cocker Spaniels are still members of the sporting dog group.
You may be able to remove a purebred from his original environment and demands. However, it’s not that simple to reconfigure the behaviors and traits that are hardwired deep within.
4. Many Purebreds are “Working” Dogs
Today dogs are divided into seven categories:
Thanks to their origins, each of these groups has different strengths and weaknesses.
However, according to Welton, a skilled dog trainer and breed selection consultant, many purebred dog breeds are actually members of group number four, the working dog category.
Breeds from this group were created with the intention of herding, hunting, protecting livestock, rescuing, guarding estates, retrieving, and thriving in police and military work.
These beauts are no couch potatoes.
It’s true. Many purebred dogs make terrific companions. However, it’s not because of their love for lying about and being lazy.
Working purebred dogs are on the move.
They boast large energy tanks, sometimes aggressive behavior (if not properly trained), and independent minds. Purebred working dogs love a good dose of action, they are not afraid to bark, and they can often appear wary or even suspicious towards strangers.
What’s Good about Purebred Dogs?
Enough of the negative. Now let’s dive into why, decade after decade, people continue flocking to the stunning purebred dog.
What is it about these dogs that keep people coming back again and again?
1. They are Predictable.
Okay, mostly.
Unlike their cross-bread and mixed-breed pals where you never know for sure what you are bargaining for, purebred dogs are highly predictable.
For most purebred dogs, while they are still just small puppies, dog lovers can get a pretty good idea of how large they will grow in adulthood.
Breeders will also have a good idea of what a puppy’s physical and behavioral characteristics will be, along with overall dog health.
While some behavioral traits are learned from a dog’s environment, many are also passed along from both parent dogs.
Because a puppy is so much a product of his or her parents, and because both parents belong to one particular breed, it becomes subsequently much easier to predict what a puppy will be like as an adult purebred dog.
In fact, because results can be so predictable, many responsible breeders will actually match prospective dog breeding pairs based on their temperaments and physical appearances. This way breeders can increase their chances of providing puppies with the best chances of success.
2. Each Breed has a Unique Set of Genes
Running tandem with the previous point, every breed has a unique set of genes that determines their size, coat type, and color, etc.
Perhaps you struggle with dog allergies and are searching for a hypoallergenic dog. Or maybe you call a tiny city flat your home and can only handle a small dog in your life.
Whatever the case, when browsing purebred dogs, you can simply speak with a breeder to learn reliable and set traits in your desired breed.
3. Can be Part of a Club
Whether it’s a breed club or kennel club, you’ll find purebred dogs in both.
Purebred dog clubs and registries include:
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- American Canine Association Inc. (ACA)
- American Canine Registry, Inc. (ACR)
- Australian National Kennel Club (ANKC)
- Canadian Canine Registry (CCR)
- Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
- American Purebred Canine Association (APCA)
- Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)
- National Kennel Club (NKC)
- North American Purebred Registry, Inc. (NAPR)
- United Kennel Club (UKC)
- and more…
This means that any dog who is a member of any of these groups is considered a purebred dog. A dog is simply considered “registered” if he or she is registered with any particular breed club.
When talking registration, it’s important to note that there are two types of registration: closed studbook and open studbook.
A closed studbook is when all the included dogs descend from a known and registered set of ancestors. As you can imagine, there is quickly a loss of genetic variation and the resulting dogs create a highly identifiable breed type. Closed studbooks are common in the arena of sport and conformation showing. It is not uncommon for breeders to inbreed in an attempt to enhance desired characteristics. Unfortunately, such inbreeding can quickly result in increased genetic-based diseases.
The second type of registration is an open studbook. Within the open studbook, some outcrossing is acceptable as breeds are created with the intent of working (therapy dogs, police dogs, etc.) rather than for mere appearance. Dogs included inside an open studbook are often healthier thanks to increased diversity in the gene pool. In addition to working, dogs strong in herding and hunting are also frequently included in an open studbook.
Unfortunately, within both the open and closed stud books, breeders will occasionally overuse one particular stud dog because of a desired trait which he carries. Again this results in a narrowing of genetic diversity and a subsequent increase of genetic diseases among purebred dogs.
Simply remember to talk with the breeder first to ensure you are getting a happy and healthy purebred dog who is not a victim of inbreeding.
Now that you know both the good and the bad, let’s dive into an alphabetical list of breeds who are considered purebred today.
Purebred Dog Breeds
Believe it or not, there are over 340 dog breeds in the world today. However, the American Kennel Club currently only recognizes 274 breeds.
Thus, the following is a list of 274 dog breeds who, in America, are considered purebred dogs.
- Affenpinscher
- Afghan Hound
- Airedale Terrier
- Akita
- Alaskan Malamute
- American English Coonhound
- American Eskimo Dog
- American Foxhound
- American Hairless Terrier
- American Leopard Hound
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- American Water Spaniel
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog
- Appenzeller Sennenhund
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Kelpie
- Australian Shepherd
- Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
- Australian Terrier
- Azawakh
- Barbet
- Basenji
- Basset Fauve De Bretagne
- Basset Hound
- Bavarian Mountain Hound
- Beagle
- Bearded Collie
- Beauceron
- Bedlington Terrier
- Belgian Laekenois
- Belgian Malinois
- Belgian Sheepdog
- Belgian Tervuren
- Bergamasco Sheepdog
- Berger Picard
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Bichon Frise
- Biewer Terrier
- Black and Tan Coonhound
- Black Russian Terrier
- Bloodhound
- Bluetick Coonhound
- Boerboel
- Bohemian Shepherd
- Bolognese
- Border Collie
- Border Terrier
- Borzoi
- Boston Terrier
- Bouvier des Flandres
- Boxer
- Boykin Spaniel
- Bracco Italiano
- Braque du Bourbonnais
- Braque Francais Pyrenean
- Briard
- Brittany
- Broholmer
- Brussels Griffon
- Bull Terrier
- Bulldog
- Bullmastiff
- Cairn Terrier
- Canaan Dog
- Cane Corso
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Carolina Dog
- Catahoula Leopard Dog
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Central Asian Shepherd Dog
- Cesky Terrier
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Chihuahua
- Chinese Crested
- Chinese Shar-Pei
- Chinook
- Chow Chow
- Cirneco dell’Etna
- Clumber Spaniel
- Cocker Spaniel
- Collie
- Coton de Tulear
- Croatian Sheepdog
- Curly-Coated Retriever
- Czechoslovakian Vlcak
- Dachshund
- Dalmatian
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Danish-Swedish Farmdog
- Deutscher Wachtelhund
- Doberman Pinscher
- Dogo Argentino
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Drentsche Patrijshond
- Drever
- Dutch Shepherd
- English Cocker Spaniel
- English Foxhound
- English Setter
- English Springer Spaniel
- English Toy Spaniel
- Entlebucher Mountain Dog
- Estrela Mountain Dog
- Eurasier
- Field Spaniel
- Finnish Lapphund
- Finnish Spitz
- Flat-Coated Retriever
- French Bulldog
- French Spaniel
- German Longhaired Pointer
- German Pinscher
- German Shepherd Dog
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- German Spitz
- German Wirehaired Pointer
- Giant Schnauzer
- Glen of Imaal Terrier
- Golden Retriever
- Gordon Setter
- Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
- Great Dane
- Great Pyrenees
- Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Greyhound
- Hamiltonstovare
- Hanoverian Scenthound
- Harrier
- Havanese
- Hokkaido
- Hovawart
- Ibizan Hound
- Icelandic Sheepdog
- Irish Red and White Setter
- Irish Setter
- Irish Terrier
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Irish Wolfhound
- Italian Greyhound
- Jagdterrier
- Japanese Chin
- Japanese Spitz
- Jindo
- Kai Ken
- Karelian Bear Dog
- Keeshond
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Kishu Ken
- Komondor
- Kromfohrlander
- Kuvasz
- Labrador Retriever
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Lakeland Terrier
- Lancashire Heeler
- Lapponian Herder
- Leonberger
- Lhasa Apso
- Lowchen
- Maltese
- Manchester Terrier (Standard)
- Manchester Terrier (Toy)
- Mastiff
- Miniature American Shepherd
- Miniature Bull Terrier
- Miniature Pinscher
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Mountain Cur
- Mudi
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
- Newfoundland
- Norfolk Terrier
- Norrbottenspets
- Norwegian Buhund
- Norwegian Elkhound
- Norwegian Lundehund
- Norwich Terrier
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- Old English Sheepdog
- Otterhound
- Papillon
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Pekingese
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Perro de Presa Canario
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
- Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
- Pharaoh Hound
- Plott Hound
- Pointer
- Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Pomeranian
- Poodle (Miniature)
- Poodle (Standard)
- Poodle (Toy)
- Porcelaine
- Portuguese Podengo
- Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
- Portuguese Pointer Portuguese Sheepdog
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Pudelpointer
- Pug
- Puli
- Pumi
- Pyrenean Mastiff
- Pyrenean Shepherd
- Rafeiro do Alentejo
- Rat Terrier
- Redbone Coonhound
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog
- Rottweiler
- Russell Terrier
- Russian Toy
- Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
- Saint Bernard
- Saluki
- Samoyed
- Schapendoes
- Schipperke
- Scottish Deerhound
- Scottish Terrier
- Sealyham Terrier
- Segugio Italiano
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Shiba Inu
- Shih Tzu
- Shikoku
- Siberian Husky
- Silky Terrier
- Skye Terrier
- Sloughi
- Slovakian Wiredhaired Pointer
- Slovensky Cuvac
- Slovensky Kopov
- Small Munsterlander Pointer
- Smooth Fox Terrier
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Spanish Mastiff
- Spanish Water Dog
- Spinone Italiano
- Stabyhoun
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Standard Schnauzer
- Sussex Spaniel
- Swedish Lapphund
- Swedish Vallhund
- Taiwan Dog
- Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
- Thai Ridgeback
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Tibetan Terrier
- Tornjak
- Tosa
- Toy Fox Terrier
- Transylvanian Hound
- Treeing Tennessee Brindle
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Vizsla
- Weimaraner
- Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Welsh Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier
- Whippet
- Wire Fox Terrier
- Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
- Wirehaired Vizsla
- Working Kelpie
- Xoloitzcuintli
- Yakutian Laika
- Yorkshire Terrier
Purebred Dogs FAQ
Are purebred dogs really purebred?
Today new designer and purebred dogs continue to emerge. However, the term ‘purebred dog’ is used to refer to any dog who has known pedigrees with any standardized breeds.
Are purebred dogs bad?
Like designer breeds, there are both pros and cons to owning a purebred dog. Purebred dogs can have a variety of health problems and sometimes become victims of inbreeding.
How much does a purebred dog cost?
Prices for purebred dogs typically vary between $400 and $3,000. While the exact price can fluctuate above or below this estimate, factors influencing price include bloodlines, appearance, and health.
Where can I get a purebred dog?
You can find happy and healthy purebred dogs at VIPpuppies.com. In addition, you can browse from local rescues and shelters, reputable dog breeders, newspaper adds and trusted on-line forums.
How can I tell if my dog is a purebred?
You can speak with a vet to get a good idea of your dog’s breed. Alternatively, folks use DNA testing to better predict if a dog is truly purebred.
Can I register my dog without papers?
Yes, however, where you register your dog is limited. Registry eligibility can depend on if your dog is a purebred, as well as what breed both parent dogs are.
Summing It Up
Now that you know both the positives and negatives of getting a purebred dog, you now have all you need to make the best decision for yourself.
Always remember to speak with the breeder, be aware of risks in your prospective breed, and enjoy choosing a breed whose ancestry you know.
Or, if you are getting cold feet about getting a purebred puppy, don’t miss these 39 designer dog breeds.
And always, when you are ready to bring home your very own puppy that is just right for you, have fun browsing available puppies for sale here.
Until next time,
VIP Puppies
P.S. Which purebred dog is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
References:
Dog Breeds (n.d.). Retrieved 2019, from https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/.
Mixed Breed Dogs vs Purebred Dogs (2014). Retrieved 2019, from https://www.animalleague.org/blog/tips/pet-adoption/purebred-vs-mixed-breed-dogs/.
Mixed or Purebred Puppy: Which is Better? (n.d.). Retrieved 2019, from https://www.petmd.com/dog/puppycenter/adoption/evr_dg_mixed_or_purebred_puppy_which_is_better#.
Problems Common to Purebred Dogs (n.d.). Retrieved 2019, from https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_purebred_dogs_complications.
Purebred Dog (n.d.). Retrieved 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purebred_dog.
Welton, M. (2019). Retrieved 2019, from https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/articles/purebred-dogs.html.
As the Editor in Chief, Anna Lengacher helps dog lovers learn the ropes of finding, raising, and caring for their dogs so they can enjoy many happy memories together.
