dog breeds lecture

Dog Breed Identification

The AKC (American Kennel Club) divides dog breeds into seven categories:

• Sporting

• Hounds

• Working

• Terrier

• Toy

• Non-Sporting

• Herding

Sporting Group

• Characteristics:

  • Sporting dogs are naturally active and alert.

  • They are known for being likable, well-rounded companions.

  • Many breeds in this group have remarkable instincts in water and woods, often participating in hunting and field activities.

• Exercise Requirements:

  • Most Sporting dogs require regular, vigorous exercise to maintain their physical and mental health.

• Notable Breeds:

  • Cocker Spaniel

  • Brittany

  • Chesapeake Bay Retriever

  • English Setter

  • German Shorthair Pointer

  • Wirehair Pointer

  • Golden Retriever

  • Irish Setter

  • Labrador Retriever

  • Springer Spaniel

  • Vizsla

  • Weimaraner

  • Wirehair Pointing Griffon

Hound Group (Scent & Sight)

• General Traits:

  • Most hound breeds share an ancestral trait of being used for hunting.

  • Hounds can uniquely utilize either acute scenting powers to follow trails or stamina to chase down prey.

  • Due to the diversity within this group, generalizations are often challenging.

  • Some breeds produce a distinctive sound known as baying.

• Notable Breeds:

  • Afghan

  • Basenji

  • Basset Hound

  • Beagle

  • Bloodhound

  • Dachshund

  • Greyhound

  • Irish Wolfhound

  • Rhodesian Ridgeback

  • Whippet

Working Group

• Purpose:

  • Dogs in the Working Group were bred to perform various jobs such as guarding property, pulling sleds, and performing water rescues.

  • These intelligent and capable animals make solid companions.

• Considerations for Owners:

  • Due to their size and strength, many working dogs may not be suitable as pets for average families without proper training.

• Health Concerns:

  • Many large and giant breeds are prone to Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV), commonly known as “bloat.”

  • The exact cause is not fully understood, but factors include eating one large meal a day and exercising immediately after eating.

  • Symptoms include pronounced abdominal distention and non-productive retching.

  • This condition is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention.

• Notable Breeds:

  • Akita

  • Alaskan Malamute

  • Bernese Mountain Dog

  • Bullmastiff

  • Boxer

  • Cane Corso

  • Doberman Pinscher

  • Dogue de Bordeaux

  • Great Dane

  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

  • Great Pyrenees

  • Mastiff

  • Newfoundland

  • Portuguese Water Dog

  • Rottweiler

  • St. Bernard

  • Samoyed

  • Siberian Husky

  • Standard Schnauzer

Terrier Group

• Characteristics:

  • Terriers are known to be feisty and energetic dogs, with sizes ranging from small breeds like Norfolk and Cairn to larger Airedale Terriers.

  • They often have little tolerance for other animals, stemming from their ancestry as vermin hunters.

  • Terriers display a spirited attitude often eager for a challenge.

• Grooming Needs:

  • Most terriers possess wiry coats requiring specialized grooming techniques known as stripping to maintain their characteristic look.

• Owner Considerations:

  • They often make engaging pets but require dedicated owners who can match their lively characters.

• Notable Breeds:

  • Airedale Terrier

  • American Staffordshire Terrier (American Pitbull)

  • Bull Terrier

  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier

  • American Bulldog (non-AKC)

  • Cairn Terrier

  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

  • Miniature Schnauzer

  • Scottish Terrier

  • West Highland Terrier

  • Russell Terrier

Toy Group

• Characteristics:

  • Toy dogs are particularly popular among city dwellers and individuals lacking ample living space.

  • They are often ideal for apartment living and are particularly appreciated for their companionship on cold nights.

• Considerations:

  • Smaller breeds can be found across all groups, but they particularly minimize common canine issues like shedding, creating messes, and overall care costs.

  • Training is generally easier for smaller dogs than for larger breeds.

• Notable Breeds:

  • Brussels Griffon

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

  • Chihuahua

  • Chinese Crested (Hairless & Powder Puff)

  • Greyhound/Whippet/Italian Greyhound

  • Havanese

  • Japanese Chin

  • Maltese

  • Miniature Pinscher

  • Papillon

  • Pekingese

  • Pomeranian

  • Pug

  • Shih Tzu

  • Silky Terrier

  • Toy Poodle

  • Yorkshire Terrier

Non-Sporting Group

• Characteristics:

  • The breeds in the Non-Sporting Group represent a diverse collection, varying widely in terms of size, coat type, personality, and overall appearance.

• Notable Breeds:

  • Bichon Frise

  • Boston Terrier

  • English Bulldog

  • Chinese Shar-pei

  • Chow Chow

  • Dalmatian

  • French Bulldog

  • Lhasa Apso

  • Poodle (Miniature & Standard)

  • Shiba Inu

  • Tibetan Terrier

Herding Group

• Characteristics:

  • The Herding Group is the newest classification by the AKC and consists of breeds that were formerly classified as Working Group dogs.

  • All breeds in this group share the ability to control the movement of other animals, with Corgis being an extraordinary example of this skill despite their small stature.

• Behavioral Traits:

  • Most herding dogs, when kept as household pets, don’t have regular interaction with livestock but may exhibit herding behaviors toward their owners or children.

  • Generally, these intelligent dogs make excellent companions and respond well to training exercises.

• Notable Breeds:

  • Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Healer)

  • Australian Shepherd

  • Belgian Malinois

  • Border Collie

  • Bouvier des Flandres

  • Collie (Rough & Smooth Coat)

  • German Shepherd

  • Old English Sheepdog

  • Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)

  • Welsh Corgi (Cardigan & Pembroke)