So, you want to have a dog – but not just any dog – preferably one that fits you like your favourite pair of slippers (or the sofa you’ll never kick the dog off). However, choosing a breed is much more than a pretty coat and a cute face – behind those eyes lie instincts and needs that can cause quite a stir if you’re not a good match. Scientific research suggests that a dog’s temperament should play the leading role. So before you let yourself be charmed by a puppy’s gaze, check which group it belongs to and whether its traits will truly fit your lifestyle. Because if you’re a couch potato, you probably don’t want to spend the next dozen years with a border collie who’ll herd you into running!
What is FCI? The division of dog breeds according to FCI
The International Canine Federation (FCI) is an organisation that regulates standards and breeding principles for dogs worldwide. FCI classifies and highlights differences in the temperament and needs of particular breeds through 10 clearly defined groups – from herding to hunting and companion dogs. This is the most commonly used classification and explains, for instance, why a husky requires daily physical activity while a pug craves human closeness. The Federation is not merely an association of breeders – it is primarily a canine organisation that has created a kind of ‘map of canine personalities’, helping owners better understand the instincts and requirements of their dogs, and showing what guided breeders over the centuries as they developed various breeds.
Classification of groups/sections of breeds according to FCI and the Polish Kennel Club (ZKwP), including English breed names:
- FCI Group 1 – Sheepdogs and Cattledogs – herding dogs assisting in livestock management, e.g. German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Malinois.
- FCI Group 2 – Pinscher, Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain Cattledogs – guarding and defence dogs, e.g. Mastiff, Giant Schnauzer.
- FCI Group 3 – Terriers – energetic and independent, originally bred for hunting small animals, e.g. Jack Russell Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier.
- FCI Group 4 – Dachshunds – specialised in underground work, short and agile.
- FCI Group 5 – Spitz and primitive types – dogs with strong instincts, often independent, e.g. Siberian Husky, Akita, German Spitz.
- FCI Group 6 – Scent hounds and related breeds – capable of tracking and pursuing game, e.g. Beagle, Bloodhound, Dalmatian.
- FCI Group 7 – Pointing Dogs – used for hunting, e.g. German Shorthaired Pointer, Pointer, Irish Setter.
- FCI Group 8 – Retrievers, Flushing Dogs and Water Dogs – breeds that track by scent, e.g. Bloodhound, Cocker Spaniel.
- FCI Group 9 – Companion and Toy Dogs – mainly companion breeds, often small-sized, e.g. Miniature Poodle, Chihuahua, Maltese.
- FCI Group 10 – Sighthounds – fast dogs bred for open-space hunting, e.g. Greyhounds and Whippets.
Currently, about 360 breeds are recognised by FCI, including only 6 originating from Poland. Polish breeds represent various groups:
- Tatra Shepherd Dog (Owczarek podhalański) – a large, white herding and guarding dog.
- Polish Hunting Dog (Gończy polski) – a hunting breed, excellent at tracking.
- Polish Hound (Ogar polski) – a scent hound valued for its tracking ability.
- Polish Lowland Sheepdog (Polski owczarek nizinny) – a cheerful and lively herding dog.
- Polish Hunting Spaniel (Polski spaniel myśliwski) – a versatile hunting dog.
- Polish Greyhound (Chart polski) – fast and agile, ideal for open-ground hunting.
These breeds have their roots in Poland and reflect local traditions of herding and hunting, though today they do not appear to enjoy great popularity.
When classifying dog breeds, however, it’s worth looking deeper – beyond this traditional division – and exploring another approach developed by Kim Brophey, which more precisely takes into account the evolutionary adaptations and behavioural needs of dogs.
A new classification of breeds
Kim Brophey, an American researcher and ethologist, developed her own classification of dogs based on their evolutionary roots and behavioural differences arising from the original functions of each breed. In her book ‘Meet Your Dog’, Brophey applied an approach that views dogs as a combination of their biology, environment, learning, and self, known as the L.E.G.S. Model (Learning, Environment, Genetics, Self). She focused on the historical roles that dogs fulfilled – from tracking and guarding to companionship – in order to help owners understand their behavioural needs. Brophey distinguished eight main groups, each representing a unique set of instincts, needs, and behavioural predispositions.
The predatory sequence in dogs – what it is and how it affects canine behaviour
But let’s start from the beginning – what exactly is the predatory sequence? It is the sequence of instincts rooted in dogs’ ancestors, encompassing behaviours associated with hunting. This sequence includes several links: tracking, stalking, chasing, grabbing, and even dissecting prey. It does not appear fully in every dog – different breeds have naturally stronger expressions of different parts of this sequence. That’s why Labradors love retrieving, while Spaniels enjoy scent tracking.
If we see our dog chasing bicycles, it’s not because they’re being mischievous – it’s most likely their hunting instinct ‘kicking in’. Understanding this sequence allows us not only to better interpret a dog’s behaviour but also to manage it appropriately, for instance by consciously choosing toys that fulfil their need to track or grab. Dogs with a strong chase instinct (such as Pointers or Scent hounds) may need activities that engage their ‘hunting’ drive, like scent-tracking games or sniffing searches for treats. Labradors, on the other hand, may respond more enthusiastically to retrieving games, satisfying their instinct to ‘bring back’.
However, herding breeds, belonging to FCI Group 1, also display certain elements of predatory behaviour, but their instincts have been adapted to herding and controlling the movement of livestock rather than hunting them. Breeds such as the Border Collie and Australian Shepherd possess a strong chase instinct that serves to gather and direct the herd, yet they lack the drive to catch or kill prey, which is typical for hunting dogs. As a result, their predatory instincts are channelled towards cooperation and control, not capture. Interestingly, the same group includes the Welsh Corgi, originally bred to work with livestock – though today it is more commonly associated with companion traits.
Understanding the predatory sequence is particularly useful in training and playing with dogs. Dogs with a strong chase instinct may struggle to ignore moving objects like runners or cyclists, so it’s worth incorporating games that practise self-control and boundary-setting.
Classification of breeds according to their way of cooperating with humans
In her breed classification system, Kim Brophey distinguishes eight types of dogs, taking into account differences in their needs, behaviours, and styles of cooperation with humans:
- Primitive Dogs – dogs of this group are independent, with strongly preserved survival instincts, such as the Husky and Shiba Inu. These breeds have a clear need for autonomy and can be ‘resistant’ to commands… unless the command happens to be ‘do whatever you like!’
- Herding Dogs – obedient and eager to cooperate with humans, they love to control their surroundings and have traditionally been used for guarding livestock. Examples include the Border Collie and Australian Shepherd. These dogs sometimes try to ‘herd’ the family – even if that means keeping the children on the sofa.
- Hunting Dogs – such as Labrador Retrievers and Pointers, retrievers with a strong tracking instinct. They are perfect for tasks requiring patience and scenting ability, which means that every puddle encountered on a walk is, for them, an opportunity for adventure.
- Working Dogs – members of this group are strong and resilient, such as Saint Bernards and Malamutes, who not only perform their duties but do so with dedication. Ideal for tough conditions – for them, there is no mission impossible – but if you don’t give them a job, they’ll redecorate your living room out of boredom.
- Terriers – breeds such as the Jack Russell Terrier and Bull Terrier, full of courage and a highly developed hunting instinct. They are energetic and independent, literally ‘ready for action’ the moment something moves.
- Companion Dogs – for example, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Shih Tzu, which were bred to be close to humans. These charming ‘lap dogs’ love companionship, and their life mission is to be at the centre of attention.
- Toy Dogs – such as Maltese and Chihuahuas, bred mainly for their appearance and companionship. These dogs often believe that their owners live for them – not the other way round!
- Shepherd Dogs – the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois – loyal and brave, bred for protective work. These are faithful and obedient dogs, always ready to defend the home – and to loudly convince the postman that his visit is an unwelcome surprise.
And beyond Brophey’s system, it is worth mentioning the most common type of dog in the world – the so-called Royal Mixed Breed, or simply the mongrel. When you think about it, it’s hard to find a more diverse species than dogs – from miniature Yorkshire Terriers to Tibetan Mastiffs, they can be as slim as Greyhounds or as stocky as English Bulldogs, work in special services and still share the sofa with their human. And mongrels are, after all, the result of shaking all those traits together and mixing them thoroughly! However, a dog doesn’t need to have an FCI pedigree for us to determine its belonging to one of the above groups – appearance is only a hint. It is a dog’s behaviour and relationship with humans that can help us classify it more accurately.
The origin of a dog and its behaviour towards humans
Awareness that instincts ‘lie dormant’ in every breed allows not only for better selection of tasks that align with a dog’s natural tendencies, but also helps avoid frustration caused by unrealistic expectations towards the animal. Instincts embedded in dogs over centuries can become a source of difficulty if they are not properly fulfilled. For example, working dogs, such as Belgian Shepherds, require plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation, and the lack of these can lead to frustration, destruction of household items, and, consequently, aggressive behaviour. When learning about a breed, it is therefore worth understanding its original purpose and which elements of the predatory sequence were strengthened during breeding. The same aspects should be considered when adopting a dog – while it may be difficult to know an individual’s ancestors, its very appearance can often hint at what kind of dogs it descends from. And although dogs possess excellent adaptive abilities, a mismatch between the carer and the animal (in terms of temperament, activity level, etc.) remains the most common reason for returns after adoption or relinquishment to the breeder.
How can you choose a dog breed to avoid behavioural problems?
As early as 1971, social psychologist Donald Byrne demonstrated that people tend to feel greater affection for those who share their interests and beliefs – the so-called ‘similarity effect’. In the context of choosing a pet, his research suggests that similarities in temperament and lifestyle between the carer and the pet can foster a deeper bond. In short – we choose dogs that are similar to ourselves. And to confirm this theory, almost everyone has seen online compilations of dogs and their owners – and how alike they often look!
Byrne’s theory was later supported by Dr Tamás Faragó Turscan in 2012 and Samuel D. Gosling in the early 2000s. Gosling applied the Big Five personality model, examining how traits such as extraversion, conscientiousness or neuroticism appear in both dogs and their owners. The findings showed that owners often choose dogs whose traits match their own, and that dogs can even adopt aspects of their owner’s personality through long-term interaction.
So even scientific studies confirm that we should pay particular attention to the compatibility of the breed with our lifestyle before adopting or buying a dog. And although a tiny Yorkshire Terrier might seem like the perfect fit for a handbag, it’s worth remembering that its genes belong to the terrier group, originally bred to hunt rats in English factories. Similarly, the miniature Spitz dogs so often seen in cities owe their popularity to their small size and plush-like appearance, but many owners don’t realise that Spitz dogs are primitive breeds. Historically, they were used as guard or sled dogs. And even though the miniature versions are more common today, they still possess the courage and innate confidence typical of their larger relatives.
The skills of Border Collies or Belgian Shepherds seen on Instagram may look impressive, but they should remain the stuff of dreams for anyone who enjoys spending evenings lounging on the sofa. These are breeds that require exceptionally high levels of both mental and physical stimulation. In the case of primitive breeds, such as the Husky, owners are often drawn mainly by the dog’s striking appearance, without reflecting on their high independence, need for long walks, or specific predatory instincts.
I hope I’m stating the obvious, but when buying a dog, the most important factor should be the traits of the breed, not its appearance. A good breeder will interview you and help determine, whether you’re a suitable owner. It’s worth dedicating plenty of time to this decision – as with most things, haste is a poor advisor, especially when it comes to a living being that will share your life for many years. Buying a dog from an unreliable source may seem like a saving at first, but puppy mills do not carry out genetic testing before breeding, which can lead to genetic disorders – both physical and psychological. For example, a beautiful Spaniel bought as a gentle family dog may turn out to carry the so-called ‘rage syndrome’, characterised by sudden, intense outbursts of aggression with no apparent cause.
A very worrying trend today is the rise of so-called ‘new breeds’ such as Maltipoo, Labradoodle, and Pomsky – which are, in reality, simply very expensive crossbreeds, not breeds recognised by the International Canine Federation. Moreover, they are often mixes of breeds with completely opposing temperamental traits, making it impossible to predict which characteristics the dog will inherit.
When it comes to adopting a dog from a shelter, matching a specific dog to an FCI-recognised classification may seem impossible, which is why it’s best to consult with a volunteer or behaviourist. Thankfully, the idea of treating animal shelters like supermarkets – where you walk in, say ‘oh, that one!’, and leave fifteen minutes later with a new family member on a lead – is slowly disappearing. Good shelters conduct interviews with potential adopters, require multiple visits before a final decision, and have an educational mission, including behavioural guidance. Conscious adoption allows time to build a bond with the animal, learn about its character, and understand potential behavioural issues. Of course, volunteers cannot guarantee that a dog who was calm in its shelter kennel will behave the same at home. This depends on many factors – the animal’s health condition, a high level of cortisol (which is normal for shelter dogs during their period of homelessness), the stimuli associated with a new place, and finally, separation from what is familiar (as we sometimes forget that a shelter, even when it does not offer good living conditions, is still a home for the animals – and often even a safe haven). However, a properly conducted adoption process and awareness of a dog’s needs greatly increase the chance of success – and of finding a dog that will be perfect in your eyes.
Choosing a dog is no small feat – you’re not just getting a cute ball of fur, but also a personality, instincts, and needs that might surprise you. Instead of admiring your neighbour’s dog, who looks great running on a treadmill on Instagram, think carefully whether you’re ready for the marathons your new friend might take you on – even if they happen in your living room. The FCI classifications or behavioural tests are only a starting point; what matters most is understanding that your dog must suit you, or you’ll end up with a look full of reproach – and not from your neighbour.
