7 Dog Groups & Their Descriptions


The Sporting Group: Pointers, setters, spaniels, and retrievers were originally bred to assist the hunter in finding, flushing, and retrieving game, usually birds, either on land or in water. Some breeds in this group, notably the pointers, remain primarily hunting dogs, whereas others, such as the Labrador Retriever, have been more successful in making the transition to house pet.

Sporting dogs have great energy, stamina, and determination. Few of them would do well in an apartment. Their energy level requires owners to provide them with regular exercise and, ideally, with some type of job toward which to direct their energy. Their excellent sense of smell is a distraction to them, and can make obedience training difficult. Hunting is the most natural job for them, but fieldwork in water or land retrieving can work just as well. Dogs from this group should be owned by active persons who enjoy a busy dog. None of these breeds will be easygoing couch potatoes.

The Hound Group: The Hound Group includes both scent hounds and sight hounds. Scent hounds, such as the Beagle, track prey by using their sense of smell. They are high-energy dogs and tend to be very driven and devoted to their appointed task of finding the prey. They are hard to obedience-train because of this attribute. Sight hounds, such as the Greyhound, spot their prey visually and then run it down. They are fleet of foot, slow to learn, and somewhat aloof with strangers. Sight hounds are more sensitive to anesthesia than other breeds.

The Working Group: Breeds in the Working Group include the mastiff types, the herd guarders, and the northern breeds, known for pulling sleds. Rottweilers, Great Pyrenees, and Malamutes are all contained here. Most of the working breeds are large, dominant, strong dogs with courage and stamina. Most are very territorial and require a confident owner with great leadership skills.

The Terrier Group: Breeds in the Terrier Group are sturdy, courageous, driven dogs originally bred to hunt rodents and other burrowing mammals. They are very independent and have a high prey drive. Though capable of great obstinacy, terriers can make good house pets.

The Toy Group: Dogs in this group, such as the Maltese and the Toy Poodle, were bred to be companion dogs and lapdogs. They are small in comparison to other breeds. Some are only 4 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh just 2 or 3 pounds. Though delicate, they tend to be long-lived, and are very often spoiled half to death. Most toys are difficult to housebreak, and most are picky eaters.

The Non-Sporting Group: This group is a collection of dissimilar breeds that no longer have
a clearly denned purpose other than that of providing companionship. None can easily be placed into any of the other groups. The Dalmatian is here, as is the Bulldog.

The Herding Group: Many people believe that the Herding Group contains the most intelligent breeds. These medium-size, athletic dogs have served for thousands of years as herders of sheep, cattle, and other domesticated animals. They also make admirable house pets and great obedience dogs.