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A little bit of knowledge about a dog breed can go a long way in helping you decide what type of dog to adopt. Even if you plan on getting a mixed breed dog, knowing about the breed or group that makes up the bulk of its lineage will give a clue about what to expect in its looks and temperament. Dog breeds are collected into groups that help define what the dogs were originally bred for. While each breed is unique, most groups share common characteristics and heritage.
Knowing the personalities common to each group can help you narrow down your choices when choosing a dog breed. For example, if you need a dog that doesn’t require a lot of exercise, you can pretty much rule out the sporting group and much of the herding group. The following is a brief description of the breed groups used by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Most other recognized dog clubs use similar groups although they may have different names. Sporting Group Dogs in the sporting group were all bread to serve as companions and assistants to hunters. Sporting dogs are generally very friendly and loyal to their owners. Sporting dogs are usually easy to train and eager to please. The most popular breed of dog in the world, the Labrador Retriever, is a sporting dog, and it’s cheerful and adoring nature are typical of many dogs in the group. Most sporting dogs will do well with older children, but the sporting dogs’ boundless energy may be too much for small toddlers or the elderly. Sporting dogs were bred to work in the field, and they need a lot of exercise—an hour or more a day. Because Sporting dogs were (and are) used to hunt, they have a strong prey drive and can be unreliable with other animals, especially birds. Sporting dogs are broken out into five types. Pointers Pointers were developed from scent hounds and are used to find game. Instead of flushing out a bird or other small animal, a pointer will pause near it and “point” at it with his nose or paw. Pointers were bred to work at a distance from the hunter and tend to be a bit more aloof than other sporting dogs. Setters Setters, like pointers, were bred to sniff out game and then freeze once they found it. Once they locate the hunter’s prey, a setter will “set” or drop to the ground until the hunter issues the command to flush the animal. Setters tend to be very high energy and need active families. Spaniels Spaniels also find game for hunters in the field. Spaniels will spring and flush out birds or rabbits from cover so the hunter can shoot at them. Spaniels are generally very affectionate dogs that remain puppyish well into their adult years. Many spaniels have longer coats that require more grooming than the other sporting breeds. Retrievers Retrievers work alongside the hunter and were originally used in conjunction with spaniels or other dogs that flushed the game. The retriever’s job was to go and fetch the kill for the hunter once it had been shot. Retrievers are almost embarrassingly loyal and affectionate to their owners and tend to make wonderful family pets if given enough exercise. Water dogs Like the other sporting dogs, water dogs were bred to assist hunters by flushing and retrieving game. Instead of working in the field, water dogs worked in and around water. Water dogs usually have curly or thick coats that help insulate them from the cold and require plenty of grooming. Water dogs are intelligent and keen to be members of the family. Hounds Like the sporting dogs, hounds were bred primarily for hunting. But while sporting dogs usually hunted birds or small game, hounds were used to track (scent) or course (sight) larger game animals like deer, wolves, and even lions. Hounds spent a lot of time working in packs and usually get along well with other dogs. Hounds are generally friendly and good with children, although they can be aloof with strangers. Most hounds are easy to groom. Hounds are broken into two basic groups. Scenthounds As their name suggests, scenthounds use their keen noses to track down prey. The original scenthounds were large and tough dogs that would usually kill their quarry or hold it at bay once they caught it and wait for the hunter to come and collect it. Scenthounds have a lot of stamina and enjoy exercise, though a long, rambling walk is more suited to a scenthound than an intense run. Scenthounds tend to be laid-back animals that enjoy the company of people and dogs, but they can become completely fixated on a scent and shouldn’t be allowed to wander off leash. Sighthounds Sighthounds are some of the oldest breeds of dogs in the world. The Pharaoh hound is descended from the dogs depicted on Egyptian tombs. sighthounds were used in climates where there wasn’t much cover and game animals tended to be swift runners. Instead of wearing down prey with a long chase, sighthounds relied on speed to catch their prey. Because they work independently from the hunter, sighthounds tend to be more aloof than scenthounds and can have very independent natures. Even so, many sighthounds make excellent family companions and are gently with children. Sighthounds love to run but don’t require excessive amounts of exercise. Sighthounds will chase anything that runs and aren’t good choices from homes with small animals. Working Dogs Instead of hunting, working breeds were used to help in everyday tasks like driving cattle, pulling carts, and protecting homes. Some working breeds were used as war dogs. Working breeds tend to be medium to large-sized, and nearly all of the giant breeds are included in this group. Working breeds are often steady, loyal, and protective, making them good family dogs that tolerate children and other animals. Working breeds often aren’t as affectionate as other dogs, but they are devoted to their people and protect them with silent courage. Because of their size, strength and independent nature, working breeds can be difficult to handle for inexperienced owners. Many working breeds have long hair, and all working breeds shed a lot. Although not officially split out into types, working breeds generally fall into one of two categories, although many have the characteristics of both. Guarding breeds The working breeds that were used as guard dogs are some of most notorious. Rottweiler, Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes and Mastiffs all fall into this category and the CDC reports that these dogs are the some of the breeds most likely to attack humans. These dogs have become victims of over breeding, and most aggressive working breed dogs are the product of poor socialization and lack of training. The guarding breeds can make wonderful, loyal family companions, especially when bred responsibly and trained well. If you want a working breed originally created for guarding, make sure you find a reputable breeder or rescue and consider obedience classes essential. Draft breeds Working breed dogs that were originally used to pull carts or other heavy loads include Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Bernese Mountain Dogs, St Bernards, and Pyrenean Mountain Dogs among others. Draft breeds are often sweet-tempered and mild with the exception of the Husky and the Malamute which are both more energetic. Draft breeds often lived with their families and usually make wonderful companions for children and other animals. All of these dogs have long, high-maintenance coats that shed all year round. Terriers While hounds and sporting dogs were used by the upper classes to hunt, terriers were the common man’s dog, often employed on farms for catching and killing unwanted animals like rats, foxes, badgers, otters, and even snakes. Terriers were also all-around farm dogs that spent time guarding flocks, alerting the famer to danger, and generally managing things. Terriers were bred to work independently and to be low maintenance, so many terriers have easy-care coats appreciated by dog owners today. Terriers are spirited and plucky, and their feisty attitudes combined with their generally small to medium size make them popular family pets. Most terriers will tolerate well-mannered children, but they will fight back if picked on by kids. Terriers are generally wary of strangers and, considering their history, not to be trusted around small animals. Herding Dogs Herding dogs were originally considered part of the working group, but in 1983, the AKC split the breeds into their own group. Herding dogs all perform the function of moving and protecting flocks of animals, usually sheep but also cattle and reindeer. Generally, herding dogs are loyal to their people and driven to work at their jobs. Herding dogs kept as family pets not only need exercise but also a job to do, whether its fetching a ball, agility training, or herding ducks or chickens. Herding dogs without a job will find work for themselves, and it is usually destructive or even dangerous. These dogs tend to be good with children and other animals, although they may try to control them as part of the flock. Herding dogs are naturally wary of strangers and take time to warm up to new people. Herding dogs can be broken out into three types. Sheepdogs Sheepdogs work closely with their humans and tend to be the most active and intelligent of the herding dogs. Border collies are popular members of this group. Sheepdogs tend to gentler than some other herding dogs and easy to train. However, sheepdogs are prone to separation anxiety and a host of other mental and emotional problems if not kept occupied. Flock guards Flock guard dogs lived among the animals they were herding and were used primarily as protection from predators. These dogs often worked independently in rugged conditions, so they tend to be strong, reliable, and covered with long, shaggy fur. Flock guards make good pets, but they can be aggressive to people and animals they don’t recognize as part of the family. Shepherds Shepherd dogs are a cross between the other two herding types, having some of the characteristics of each. Shepherds are intelligent and loyal but also capable of fiercely protecting their flock. Many shepherds are used today in police work and make good pets if socialized properly and give plenty of training. Toy Dogs Most toy breeds are miniature versions of larger breeds and dogs from nearly all the other groups are represented among the toys. Unlike their larger cousins, toy breeds weren’t bred to work. Instead, toy breeds were created for two simple purposes: companionship and warmth. Many toy breeds were used as hand or foot warmers and some were once referred to as “sleeve dogs” because they were small enough to carry up a sleeve. Because they are companions first and foremost, toy breeds make excellent pets. Toys’ small size, friendly nature, and low exercise requirements make them popular for apartment dwellers, the elderly, and families. Because toy breeds are so small, they aren’t ideal for families with young children. Toy breeds are easily injured and can become fearful and aggressive towards children. Toy breeds typically have long coats that require a lot of grooming. Because they come from so many diverse backgrounds, toy breeds are not easily put into categories. Non-Sporting Dogs The non-sporting dogs are simply the breeds that are left over from all the other groups. These dogs don’t easily fit into one of the other groups, sometimes because they task they were bred for no long exists. The non-sporting dogs include some of the most popular breeds like the Dalmatian, Bulldog, Poodle. Because the dogs in the non-sporting group come from so many backgrounds, they aren’t easy to generalize. One thing most of these breeds have in common is that they are all considered to be companion animals that form strong bonds with their owners. However, all the non-sporting breeds are different, so you should definitely read more about each breed before settling on a candidate for adoption. In the AKC, the non-sporting group includes the English Bulldog, Dalmatian, Bichon Frise, Keeshond, Finish Spitz, standard and miniature Poodle, Tibetan Terrier, Shiba Inu, Chow Chow, Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Schipperke, and Tibetan Spaniel. |
