Dog Breed Information
Breed groups are of great help, not only in categorizing the breeds for exhibition purposes, but also in aiding the purchaser to select the breed best suited to the purpose that he or she has in mind, be it a children's dog pet, hunting dog, or guard dog.
Non-sporting Breeds
| This is the category from which
many pet dogs are selected. The breeds may well have
performed some task in the past, but in the main they
are now the dogs whose sole purpose in life is to be a
companion to their owners, from the Dalmatian, a former
carriage dog, to the more sedate Chow Chow. |
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Working Breeds
| This group covers the traditional
guards and workers-rescue, sled, and
draft dogs, and those favored by the
armed services, such as the Rottweiler
(left). Bred to work, most are
happiest when they are doing the job
for which they are bred or at least
when in an environment where their
abilities will not go to waste. |
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Herding Breeds
| The breeds in this group were
originally developed to herd and
protect sheep, such as the German
Shepherd Dog (left), cattle,
and other stock. Many are still used
by shepherds and farmers, but they
are also extremely adaptable as pets,
often taking it upon themselves to
herd the family together. |
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Gundogs
| In this group are the pointers,
retrievers (shown above is the Golden
Retriever), and spaniels-all gundogs
used variously to detect, flush out,
and retrieve game. Usually gentle
natured, many dogs in this category
have the dual role of huntsman's
dog and family pet. |
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Hounds
| Hounds are often divided into
those that hunt by scent, such as the
Bloodhound and Beagle (left), and
those that rely on their keen eyesight,
like the Greyhound and the Saluki.
Hounds are good natured but have
a propensity to roam. Many hounds
are kept in packs, in outside kennels,
rather than living indoors. |
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Terriers
| These dogs were bred to go to
ground, to hunt vermin, and bolt the
fox from its lair. Energetic,sporting,
and sometimes norsy, most terrlers
are affectionate by nature, but they
can be nippy. The West Highland
White Terrier (left) is a friendly
and very popular dog. |
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Toy Dog Breeds
| Do not be fooled by the fact that
the traditional ladies' lapdogs, such
as the Pomeranian (left), come
within this category. Most are
splendid guards, keenly intelligent,
energetic, affectionate, if somewhat
possessive, and courageous to the
point of stupidity. |
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