Animal Breeds Directory

Our directory covers 1,224 dog, cat, rabbit, and small companion-pet breeds, the animals USDA-licensed breeders raise and sell. Each profile includes origin, physical characteristics, temperament, and care requirements sourced from established breed registries and kennel clubs, so you can research a breed before checking whether its breeders passed federal inspection.

Understanding the breed you want to buy is the first step in finding a responsible breeder. Different breeds have vastly different needs, life spans, and health vulnerabilities. A breed that thrives in a rural environment with acreage may suffer in an apartment, and a breed predisposed to hip dysplasia requires a breeder who performs proper health screenings. Use this directory to research breeds, then search our USDA facility database to check whether any breeders of that breed have passed or failed federal inspections.