24.1.1. Breeds
Why Breeds Matter
Dog and cat breeds help distinguish animals and are required on rabies certificates and in medical records in most states as part of the animal description. Accurate breed selection supports compliance, reporting, and medical decision-making.
How Do I Get a Breed Added?
We receive frequent requests to add new breeds, especially hybrid or mixed names such as Chi-weenie, Weim-a-Doodle, or Shep-Poodle. Because the number of possible combinations is effectively endless, we apply clear rules to keep the breed list consistent and usable.
For dogs, we use the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed list as the official source of accepted dog breeds:
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/
A small number of regionally recognized breeds have been added as exceptions.
Early on, Mutt was added as a breed option. Because it is now used on thousands of records, it cannot be removed.
How to Request a Breed to Be Added
- Double-check the existing breed list to make sure the breed is not already available.
Open any record in checkout or open the appointment screen, then go to the breed field and begin typing a few letters. The breed may appear under a slightly different name. If so, additional variants cannot be added.
#_ For dogs, confirm the breed appears on the AKC breed list:
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/
If it is not listed there, it cannot be added to HQ.
#_ If the breed is listed by the AKC but not available in HQ, open Help & Support, click Open a Help Ticket, and request that the breed be added.
Be sure to specify whether it should be added to the dog or cat breed list.
What About Mixed Dog Breeds Such as Chiweenie or Cockapoo?
You may notice a small number of non-AKC breeds in HQ. These were added more than a decade ago, before clear rules were established.
While this may feel inconsistent, additional unofficial or hybrid breeds cannot be added now. Existing non-AKC breeds will remain, but no new ones will be introduced.
Why We Do Not Add Every Requested Breed
- It adds friction to your workflow.
If every requested breed were added, the list would grow to thousands of entries. This would increase scrolling time and slow down appointments. Even small delays per appointment can add up to hours of lost time each year. A limited list keeps workflows efficient. - It reduces the accuracy of breed reporting.
Consistent breed data supports accurate reporting. For example, if a grant or program applies to pit bulls, animals must be clearly identifiable. Creative mix names can lead to undercounting and missed opportunities tied to accurate data. - It has medical implications.
Some breeds have specific medical considerations. For example, brachycephalic breeds such as pugs should be clearly identifiable to support safe clinical decisions.
What If the Owner Wants the Breed Listed as “Chiweenie”?
This is not supported. Select the primary breed as Chihuahua and set Is Mixed? to Yes. If desired, note Chiweenie in the Animal Notes.
This approach preserves owner preference while maintaining data consistency and workflow efficiency.
Can We Remove Breeds from the Breed List?
Short answer: No. The breed list is not customizable by individual clinics.
We understand some clinics choose not to work with certain breeds due to medical or surgical risk factors (for example, brachycephalic breeds or those prone to von Willebrand’s disease).
To manage this:
- Clearly state breed restrictions on your website before clients request appointments.
- If a restricted breed is submitted, review and cancel the e-appointment request based on your clinic’s criteria.