Dog breeds

Dogs  are classified into 7 different groups.

Herding, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Working, Hounds, Terriers, and Toy breeds.  They all have different purposes and based on uses and characteristics, these different groups are used as a way to identify dogs.

 

1. Herding Dogs:  The Herding group was created in 1983 and is the newest group that was classified by the American Kennel Club.  Before this group was created, the dogs that are in this group currently were previously a part of the Working group.  A Herding dog is described as a dog that is easily trained to help with herding purposes.  Some of the dog breeds that fit under this category would be the Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, and Old English Sheepdogs among others.  These dogs are great for herding for farm purposes among others, but require lots of space to run around and exercise.
2. Sporting Dogs:  Dogs in the Sporting group are often used for hunting, fishing, and other field/outdoor activities.  They have great instincts and are able to use their talents for activities like tracking.  The dogs in this group also require a ton of exercise because they are regularly very active.  Some dog breeds in this group include Brittanys, English Setters, Golden Retrievers, and Pointers.
3. Non-Sporting Dogs:  Non-Sporting dogs are commonly known as dogs developed for purposes other than sports.  These dogs range in size, appearance, and definitely personality wise.  Some of the breeds in this group include the American Eskimo Dog, Dalmation, Poodle, and the French Bulldog.
4. Working Dogs:  Working dogs are bred in order to assist humans with different tasks such as pulling sleds, protecting/guarding property, and even police and rescue work.  Some breeds in the working class include St. Bernards, Siberian Huskys, Mastiffs, Akitas, Boxers, and Great Danes.  Because of their large size and the considerable amount of space they need along with their great strength, many of the breeds in this class are not desirable for many families of pets.
5. Hounds:  Hounds are most typically used for tracking because they have a fantastic sense of smell.  They also have great stamina.  Some breeds that would fall under the Hound category would be the Beagle, Basset Hound, Greyhound, and the Norwegian Elkhound.
6. Terriers:  Most Terriers are very energetic and have very little patience and tolerence for other dogs.  There are 25 different breeds in the Terrier class that are recognized breeds by the AKC.  Terriers are dogs that dig into the ground to capture their prey.  Some of the breeds that fit into the Terrier group include Irish Terriers, Australian Terriers, and Bull Terriers.
7. Toy Breeds:  Dogs that fit into the Toy breed class are those that typically weigh between 4 and 16 pounds.  They tend to live longer lives and are easier to keep in a smaller area because of their size.  Pugs, Poodles, and Pomeranians all fit into the Toy Breed group.