“What Kind Of Dog Is This”: 35 Pics Of Goofy Dogs That People Just Had To Share

We reached out to Isabel Ludick, marketing director, brand coordinator and avid animal advocate at PetKeen, to get an expert opinion on our furry friends. “Dogs are the most popular domesticated pet worldwide with almost 500 million dogs kept as pets globally," she told us. "That's a lot of good boys (and girls)!” 

When asked what the best thing about dogs is, Isabel went on to reaffirm why so many of us have an affinity for them. “People love keeping dogs as pets because they offer unconditional love and loyalty to their owners. [They] are always happy to see us, and they have endless affection to give! They don't judge us and they never get bored with us! Dogs truly are humans' best friends!”

We also asked Isabel if it’s common for dogs to have distinct personalities, and she answered with a resounding yes. “Each pup has a very unique personality. There are no two dogs with the exact same personalities. Similar perhaps, but never identical. Like humans, dogs are born with a certain set of individual characteristics. Other than that, and breed-specific traits, dogs' personalities are formed by their genes, their puppyhood and their relationship with their owner.”

Lastly, we asked Isabel about breed specific characteristics, and she informed us that, “Each dog breed comes with a general group of traits that are shared by dogs in the same breed with varying degrees. Although these breed-specific traits are mostly prevalent in dogs who fall in a certain breed category, these traits can be influenced by many factors. The most notable factors would probably be the mixing of breeds, ownership and training. But yes, different dog breeds have different traits and each individual dog also has their own unique characteristics. Another reason why dogs are so special!” 

There you have it folks, an expert opinion affirming how special our fluffy companions are. So the next time someone mocks you for treating your dog like a child, just inform them of the depth of your doggo’s personality.  

One of the greatest things about dogs is the wide variety that their species possesses. You could have a chihuahua chilling in your handbag while you’re at the grocery store, or you could have a great dane galloping through your backyard giving rides to your neighbor’s small children. It’s amazing how many dog breeds there are; in fact, the exact number is not universally agreed upon. The Federation Cynologique International recognizes 360 breeds officially, but there are potentially over a hundred other experimental breeds at the moment.

PetKeen breaks down the history of dog breeds on their website, and apparently, just 2 centuries ago, there were very few established breeds. During the Victorian era, however, it became popular to start experimenting and creating new ones. Nowadays, it’s a complicated and time consuming process to gain recognition for a new breed. There are population and popularity requirements that must be met, then there must be generations of history and national kennel clubs specific to the breed as well. Lastly, the breed must be approved by a federation, some of which require years of competing in dog shows before deeming a breed eligible to register officially. PetKeen notes that “since 2010, only 25 new breeds have been officially recognized by the American Kennel Club”.

Once a breed is officially recognized, they’re then placed in one of seven classifications, along with similar breeds. The first classification is working dogs. This group includes many of the world’s oldest canine breeds that have been used for centuries to help humans in their work. Some popular breeds include boxers, great danes and rottweilers.