Author: Dogs' Info Planet
How are the different dog breeds classified?
Breeds are divided into 'groups', and further categorized by size and
coat type. Under the guidelines of the American Kennel Club (AKC), there are 7
'official' breed groups.
Group #1: The Sporting Group
The sporting group includes retrievers, pointers and spaniels.
These dogs can be high-energy, but they do not need to hunt in order to be
happy. They just need plenty of stimulating playtime. They are also usually
very loyal and protective of their human families and make great companion
animals.
Retrievers
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Curly-Coated Retriever
Flat-Coated Retriever
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Irish Water Spaniel (classed with retriever for hunting purposes)
Pointers
Brittany
Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
English Setter
Gordon Setter
Irish Setter
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Spaniels
American Water Spaniel
Clumber Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel
English Spring Spaniel
Field Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Group #2: The Hound Group
The hound group includes scent hounds and sight hounds.
These dogs were bred for hunting and tracking. Their favorite prey includes
fowl (birds, ducks) and rabbits. They can be very mellow and loving, but hard
to train as they are always preoccupied with the scents and sights of their
environment.
Scent Hounds
Basset Hound
Beagle
Black and Tan Coonhound
Bloodhound
Dachshund
American Foxhound
English Foxhound
Harrier
Norwegian Elkhound
Otterhound
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Sight Hounds
Afghan Hound
Basenji
Borzoi
Greyhound
Ibizan Hound
Irish Wolfhound
Pharaoh Hound
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Saluki
Scottish Deerhound
Whippet
Group #3: The Working Group
The working group is not divided into further classifications except
those relating to size and coat. As the name suggests, these dogs were bred for
strength and willingness to follow commands. They're the 'guarders', 'sled
pullers' and 'rescuers'.
Their temperaments and activity needs can vary widely, though, so it is
best to investigate individual temperaments before making a decision.
Working Dogs
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boxer
Bullmastiff
Doberman Pinscher
Giant Shnauzer
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Komondor
Kuvasz
Mastiff
Newfoundland
Portugese Water Dog
Rottweiler
Saint Bernard
Samoyed
Siberian Husky
Standard Schnauzer
Group #4: The Terrier Group
The terrier group is not divided into further classifications except
those relating to size and coat. Coming
from the Latin word “Terra”, meaning earth, Terriers were bred to dig in pursuit
of prey. They are masters at flushing out underground rodents and snakes. They
tend to be very intelligent and energetic, with dominant personalities.
Terriers
Airedale Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Australian Terrier
Bedlington Terrier
Border Terrier
Bull Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Fox Terrier (Smooth)
Fox Terrier (Wire)
Irish Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier
Lakeland Terrier
Manchester Terrier
Minature Bull Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer
Norfolk Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Scottish Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
Skye Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Welsh Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Group #5: The Toy Group
The toy group consists of the very small dogs. They're cute, but don't
let their size fool you. Tiny dogs can be high-energy and prone to aggression.
Even the sweetest little chihuahua can turn into a fierce ankle-biter if not
properly socialized. These dogs sometimes have fear issues due to their size,
so it is important to work on their self-confidence.
Toys
Affenpinscher
Brussels Griffon
Chihuahua
Chinese Crested
English Toy Spaniel
Italian Greyhound
Japanese Chin
Maltese
Manchester Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Papillon
Pekingese
Pomeranian
Poodle
Pug
Shih Tzu
Silky Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier
Group #6: The Non-Sporting Group
The non-sporting group is diverse. You'll find a range of temperaments.
Not bred for any particular purpose, you can consider this group a 'variety
show' of all different temperaments and activity levels.
Non-Sporting
Bichon Frise
Boston Terrier
Bulldog
Chinese Shar-Pei
Chow Chow
Dalmation
Finnish Spitz
French Bulldog
Keeshound
Lhasa Apso
Poodle (miniature)
Poodle (standard)
Schipperke
Shiba Inu
Tibetan Spaniel
Tebetan Terrier
Group #7: The Herding Group
The herding group includes those dogs bred through the centuries to
move large flocks of sheep and cattle. They are muscular, agile and highly
energetic. These dogs are happiest when they have a job, or a game that
simulates work. They are very good at following commands, and this can make
them a joy to train.
Herders
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Shepherd
Bearded Collie
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Tervuren
Border Collie
Bovier des Flandres
Briard
Collie (rough)
Collie (smooth)
German Shepherd
Old English Sheepdog
Puli
Shetland Sheepdog
Welsh Corgi (cardigan)
Welsh Corgi (pembroke)
What breed of dog is right for me?
It all depends. The first thing you have to do is determine whether you
can provide the right environment for your dog. Smaller breeds can do okay
living in apartments and romping through small backyards. You just need to take
them out for regular walks and playtime.
Larger dogs, on the other hand, really need a more spacious living
situation. Big house, big backyard. In some cases, the herding and working dogs
fare better living in rural areas with plenty of land to sniff and plenty of
scents to chase.
The next thing to consider is the dog's natural 'dominance'. Can you
live with a bossy Terrier? Would you prefer a more mellow and submissive
Labrador?
Keep in mind, too, that there are variations within breeds as well as
with an individual dog's personality. Not all Terriers are fiesty, and not all
Labs are easy-going.
The best thing to do is read as much as you can about each type of dog that
interests you, then go out and interact with some real, live examples.
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