Understanding The Types of Dog Breeds Articles | Dogs

By: Kelvin Ho

Known as loyal companions, man’s best friends, and great protectors, dogs come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, temperaments, dispositions and dog breeds. The AKC (American Kennel Club) recognizes over one hundred and fifty dog breeds today; although over four hundred may actually exist.

8 Major Types of Dog Breeds
All dog breeds can basically be assigned to one of eight different groups:

1. Sporting,
2. Hound,
3. Working,
4. Terrier,
5. Toy,
6. Non-sporting,
7. Herding, and
8. Miscellaneous.

Dogs in the sporting dog breed category are great hunting dogs. They hunt by air scent as opposed to ground scent, which is used by the hound dog breed. They can be gun dogs, game dogs, or bird dogs. Some work well in water, while others are more suited for land. This dog breed is considered by many to be one of the most intelligent of the dog breeds. They are active and require a large amount of exercise. They like to be around people and are usually good with children. Some examples of this dog breed are the English and American Cocker Spaniel, English Setters, Golden Retrievers, and Irish Setters.

The working dog breeds were originally developed to guard homes and livestock. They were also used for tasks requiring strength. In addition to protection, they assist in police and rescue work. This dog breed is large in size, very strong and protective. They require obedience training due to their domineering nature and, without training, this dog breed can be difficult to manage. They do train easily because of their intelligence, but their training should include a social program. Dogs in this category include the Great Dane, St. Bernard, Doberman, and Rottweiler.

The smallest varieties of dogs are in the Toy dog breeds category. They are an ideal pet for small living areas and are quite affectionate. Although small, they are also good guards, barking when a stranger is present and nipping at their feet and ankles. Some dogs in this dog breed are the Chihuahua, Cockapoo, and the Shih Tzu.

The greatest athlete is the hound dog breed. This dog breed was originally developed to game by sight or smell. The sight hounds are very fast and have long legs and a thin, agile body. This group includes the Afhans and Greyhounds. The scent hounds have a well-developed nose and are strong and energetic. They have great size variation and include the Bassets and Beagles. These dog breeds are useful in finding people.

The herding dog breed is a beautiful, active and intelligent pet developed for the task of herding. They have a unique ability of controlling the movement of animals, some which are bigger than they are. They can herd flock, drive flock or guard a herd from predators. They accomplish this by running around the herd, aggressive barking, nipping at animals’ heels, and maintaining steel like eye contact. These dog breeds include Collies, German Shepherd, Old English, and Shetland Sheep Dogs.

The non-sporting dog breed differs in size, as well as, personality and appearance. They have no general characteristics and are of a medium to large size. They are generally kept as pets and many do well in obedience competitions. These dog breeds incude the Poodle, Lhasa Apso, Dalmation, and Bulldog.

The terrier dog breed was developed to hunt and kill pests. They were used to control rats, mice, and predators. They are small to medium in size and feisty animals that are difficult to train. This dog breed has been known to become loyal and friendly pets. They include the Irish Terrier, Scottish Terrier and Miniature Shnauzer.

Miscellaneous dog breeds include all dogs working toward full AKC recognition. Each dog breed possesses their own characteristics and distinguishing features. They were bred to do a certain job. You can determine the health, temperament and care required by a dog by researching their dog breed.

When looking for possible dog breeds for children, certain breeds are more appropriate.  You can read more here.