You may want to think twice before giving your friend or family a puppy over the holidays. While holiday cards are filled with images of irresistible puppies peeking their heads out of stockings, the reality of introducing a puppy to your household over the holidays can be quite different.

A puppy is not a stuffed toy. It will not take kindly to being ignored once a newer, brighter toy is discovered. Puppies need attention, training and a lifetime supply of love and care. Overexcited children may scare a puppy or neglect it, especially after it chews up their holiday toys or has an accident on the rug.

Cute puppies soon become full-size dogs. Remember, an impulse gift over the holidays can last for 10 years or more. A dog will need training, food, shelter, medical care and exercise.

A dog is a treasure. If you want to give someone a puppy, don’t have it be a surprise. Consider a gift that signifies the puppy to come or will help someone choose the right dog for his or her lifestyle. Visit the American Kennel Club website and online store. You’ll find complete descriptions and photos of more than 150 breeds as well as sound advice for finding a responsible breeder who will become an invaluable resource throughout the life of your dog. The AKC publishes The Complete Dog Book and The Complete Dog Book for Kids, you can also download the American Kennel Club Children's Education Catalog. They make great gifts (and are easier to wrap than a wiggly puppy!)

It’s always best to allow the actual owners to pick out their own puppies. The person taking care of the dog for years to come needs to carefully consider adult dog size, disposition, appetite and grooming.

Attending local dog shows and finding and talking with reputable breeders will help decide what breed is best for you. The AKC publishes several free brochures on being a responsible dog owner. The AKC has a Breeder Referral contact for each recognized breed. These individuals can put you in contact with breeders or rescue organizations in your area.

Finally, please keep in mind: A dog is for life — not just for Christmas!

Excerpts from: Letter to the Editor: A Dog Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas

You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family — except, of course, for the family dog. Since the first arranged dog breeding, humans have been gradually creating the most diverse species in the world: Canis familiaris, the domestic dog. Diversity in dogs existed even in prehistoric times, with distinct types of families, or "breeds," arising among their wolf ancestors 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. This dog breed directory is designed to inform you about some of these different breeds, but also to provide information that will help you choose the best dog for you. Check out your own dog's illustrious history, or browse around for the perfect canine pal.
Have you made a checklist of the characteristics you're looking for? Start your search for the right dog for you!	Already know the breed you are interested in? Use the menu below to find more information about AKC Recognized Breeds. Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akita Alaskan Malamute American Eskimo Dog American Foxhound American Staffordshire Terrier American Water Spaniel Anatolian Shepherd Dog Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Australian Terrier Basenji Basset Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Beauceron Bedlington Terrier Belgian Malinois Belgian Sheepdog Belgian Tervuren Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Black and Tan Coonhound Black Russian Terrier Bloodhound Bluetick Coonhound Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flandres Boxer Boykin Spaniel Briard Brittany Brussels Griffon Bull Terrier Bulldog Bullmastiff Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Cane Corso Cardigan Welsh Corgi Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua Chinese Crested Chinese Shar-Pei Chow Chow Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Collie Curly-Coated Retriever Dachshund Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Doberman Pinscher Dogue de Bordeaux English Cocker Spaniel English Foxhound English Setter English Springer Spaniel English Toy Spaniel Field Spaniel Finnish Spitz Flat-Coated Retriever French Bulldog German Pinscher German Shepherd Dog German Shorthaired Pointer German Wirehaired Pointer Giant Schnauzer Glen of Imaal Terrier Golden Retriever Gordon Setter Great Dane Great Pyrenees Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greyhound Harrier Havanese Ibizan Hound Icelandic Sheepdog Irish Red and White Setter Irish Setter Irish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Japanese Chin Keeshond Kerry Blue Terrier Komondor Kuvasz Labrador Retriever Lakeland Terrier Leonberger Lhasa Apso Löwchen Maltese Manchester Terrier Mastiff Miniature Bull Terrier Miniature Pinscher Miniature Schnauzer Neapolitan Mastiff Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Elkhound Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Old English Sheepdog Otterhound Papillon Parson Russell Terrier Pekingese Pembroke Welsh Corgi Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Pharaoh Hound Plott Pointer Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pomeranian Poodle Portuguese Water Dog Pug Puli Pyrenean Shepherd Redbone Coonhound Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Saint Bernard Saluki Samoyed Schipperke Scottish Deerhound Scottish Terrier Sealyham Terrier Shetland Sheepdog Shiba Inu Shih Tzu Siberian Husky Silky Terrier Skye Terrier Smooth Fox Terrier Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Spinone Italiano Staffordshire Bull Terrier Standard Schnauzer Sussex Spaniel Swedish Vallhund Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Spaniel Tibetan Terrier Toy Fox Terrier Vizsla Weimaraner Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier West Highland White Terrier Whippet Wire Fox Terrier Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Yorkshire Terrier * American English Coonhound * Cesky Terrier * Chinook * Entlebucher Mountain Dog * Finnish Lapphund * Norwegian Lundehund * Rat Terrier * Russell Terrier * Treeing Walker Coonhound * Xoloitzcuintli ** Appenzeller Sennenhunde ** Azawakh ** Barbet ** Belgian Laekenois ** Bergamasco ** Berger Picard ** Boerboel ** Bolognese ** Bracco Italiano ** Catahoula Leopard Dog ** Caucasian Ovcharka ** Central Asian Shepherd Dog ** Cirneco dell'Etna ** Coton de Tulear ** Czechoslovakian Vlcak ** Dogo Argentino ** Drentsche Patrijshond ** Estrela Mountain Dog ** Eurasier ** German Longhaired Pointer ** German Spitz ** Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen ** Hovawart ** Jindo ** Kai Ken ** Karelian Bear Dog ** Kishu Ken ** Kooikerhondje ** Lagotto Romagnolo ** Lancashire Heeler ** Mudi ** Norrbottenspets ** Perro de Presa Canario ** Peruvian Inca Orchid ** Portuguese Podengo ** Portuguese Podengo Pequeno ** Portuguese Pointer ** Pumi ** Rafeiro do Alentejo ** Russian Toy ** Schapendoes ** Slovensky Cuvac ** Sloughi ** Small Munsterlander Pointer ** Spanish Mastiff ** Spanish Water Dog ** Stabyhoun ** Swedish Lapphund ** Thai Ridgeback ** Tosa ** Treeing Tennessee Brindle ** Wirehaired Vizsla
* Miscellaneous Class The breeds currently eligible to participate in the Miscellaneous Class are still enrolled in the Foundation Stock Service®. FSS® enrollment is maintained until the AKC Board of Directors accepts the breed for regular status.   ** Foundation Stock Service® Breeds The Foundation Stock Service® (FSS®) was created by the American Kennel Club to answer the needs of today’s rare breed fanciers. The Foundation Stock Service is an optional record keeping service for all purebred breeds not currently registrable with the American Kennel Club.