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Dog Breed Groups
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Choosing
a breed of dog that is that fit's your lifestyle is no easy
task. Whether
you’re choosing a Yorkshire Terrier or a Great Dane,
there are many things you have to consider before choosing a dog breed.
There are
eight
dog breed groups in total and some are even divided into other
subgroups. By
understanding where the breed came from and what they were meant to do
you will be able to better choose the right dog breed for you and your
family.
1) Sporting Group
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The sporting group is
made up of
retrievers,
pointers, setters and spaniels. As a general rule, these dogs
are
very athletic. They run fast, love to swim and are used in many hunting
activities. Due to their athletic nature, sporting dogs need
a lot of exercise or else
they can become destructive. They are very intelligent as
they
were originally bred to track other animals in a complex environment.
Popular
Breeds: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, English
Setter, Vizsla, Weimaraner
Dog Breed Groups - 2) Hound Group
Most
dogs in the Hound Group have an extremely strong sense of smell and are
known as Scent Hounds. But there are also those who have
enhanced
sight and are referred to as Sight Hounds. In terms of
exercise level
this group has a wide variety. Some are very active while
others are
lazy. Some love to sprint while others just jog
along. One thing is
certain; hounds do follow their senses and must have proper training in
order to keep them at bay.
Popular
Breeds: Beagle, Basset Hound, Bloodhound, Greyhound, Rhodesian
Ridgeback, Whippet, Basenji
Dog Breed Groups - 3)
Working Group
The Working Group
contains breeds that were originally bred to assist
humans in labor intensive tasks. These dogs tend to be
larger,
stronger and more muscular than dogs in other groups. They
were,
and still today, used for guarding property, transportation, general
protection as well as search and rescue. While these dogs
make
great companions, extra care must be taken for training and
socialization as they are usually very large dogs that can cause injury
even if by accident while playing, especially with smaller children.
Popular
Breeds: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher,
Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Husky, Rottweiler
Dog Breed Groups - 4)
Herding Group
The Herding Group can
be looked at as a sub-group of the Working
Group. Herding dogs are able to control, group and direct
other
animals. They have a tendency to nip as this strategy was
used to
herd larger animals. Owners must actively train against nipping or put
up with the possibility of these dogs nipping at your guests’
feet. Herding dogs also have a higher tendency to bark as
this
was also used during the herding process. Training can
minimize
this tendency.
Popular
Breeds: Bearded Collie, Border Collie, German Shepard, Old English
Sheepdog
Dog Breed Groups - 5) Toy
Group
Don’t
mistaken size for personality! While the dogs
in this
group are small and make great apartment dogs, many of them have energy
you would’t believe. Toy dogs make excellent
watchdogs
because they tend to bark to alert their owners of any
intruders.
It is important to note that some of the dogs found in the Toy Group
are just smaller versions of larger dogs which may belong to another
group. For example, while the Toy Poodle belongs in this
group,
the Standard Poodle belong to the Non-Sporting group.
Popular
Breeds: Chihuahua, Maltese, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon,
Pekingese, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier
Dog Breed Groups - 6)
Terrier Group
The Terrier group has
been getting more popular. They tend to
have a unique facial structure and some have a unique wired
coat.
A lot of terriers are smaller than breeds in other groups (but not as
small as the Toy Group) and this makes them appealing to families and
people in smaller homes. Keep in mind that Terriers usually
don’t get along with other animals as many were originally
bred
to hunt other small animals. These dogs can be a little more
difficult to train and some may not be suitable for first time dog
owners.
Popular
Breeds:
American Staffordshire Terrier (and Staffordshire Terrier), Bull
Terrier (and Miniature Bull Terrier), Miniature Schnauzer, Parson
Russell Terrier (formally known as the Jack Russel Terrier), West
Highland White Terrier
Dog Breed Groups - 7)
Non-Sporting Group
The Non-Sporting group
is not as well defined as the above
groups. Many of the breeds found in this group can be traced
back
to ancestors in other groups but don’t necessarily fit with
the
others.
Popular
Breeds: American Eskimo Dog, Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Bulldog,
Chow Chow, Dalmatian. French Bulldog
Dog Breed Groups - 8)
Miscellaneous Group
This group can be seen
as a waiting period for a breed until they get
to the American Kennel Club (AKC) seven other groups. The AKC
recognizes that there are hundreds of purebred breeds throughout the
world but wants to ensure that a breed is poised for long term success
before allowing them into one of the other elite groups.
Popular
Breed:Dogue de Bordeaux, Irish Red and White Setter, Redbone Coonhound
In order to choose a breed of dog that is right for you, narrow down
your choices by choosing dog group that best fits your
lifestyle.
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