A quick look into the world of breed groupings
Soooo, you want a dog.. Where do you start? Well, lets start by taking a look at the different kind of groups out there. If you follow the following steps carefully this guide will help you finding your perfect breed. Lets go behind the cute appearances and take a deeper look in what thrives certain breeds.
What are the different groups of dog breeds?
Dogs are put into different groups based on their personalities, behaviors and most of all the job they were originally bred for. We call this system “Breed Groupings” and is mostly decided by major kennel clubs like the AKC and the UKC.
This system has been created to help dog owners understand where there dogs behavior comes from, or to find the perfect breed that can handle certain jobs. For this reason we will use this system as a guide line throughout this guide to help connect owners with the perfect breed that fits their needs.
Lets take a look at the different dog breed groupings
Dog breeds have been separated in the following groups; Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Herding, Non-Sporting, and Miscellaneous.
Sporting Group
Sporting group dogs is a group of dogs originally bred to assist hunters in retrieving animals, and mostly birds. Known for their high energy levels, intelligence and the love they have for being outside. They’re easy to train, very friendly, loving and loyal towards their families. Due their high energy level they do require a lot of exercise.
Here’s a few of the most common sporting group dogs:
Labrador Retriever
Social, outgoing, and high-energy; great with families and loves the water.
Golden Retriever
Intelligent, friendly, and loyal; perfect for active families and loves playing fetch.
Cocker Spaniel
Gentle and affectionate; known for its long, floppy ears and is great with kids.
English Springer Spaniel
Energetic and obedient; excellent for hunting and active households.
Vizsla
Energetic and affectionate; a great choice for active owners and outdoor adventures.
What household would benefit a Sporting Group dog?
They are most suited for active household, with or without kids, as they are very playful and affectionate. Very easy to train due their high intelligence and energy levels. Make sure you’ll have enough spare time to meet these needs. Either a big garden or daily hikes, walks, running or training is required to make sure your sporting dog stays happy and fit.
Click here if you would like to read more about Sporting Group Dogs.
Hound Group
What do a Greyhound and a Beagle have in common? Their incredible tracking skills. The Hound Group are the best trackers and hunters out there. Using either scent or sight, they will find their prey. They are very focused and determined on finishing the job. Even tough they are very independent workers, they can also be gentle and loving companions at home.
Here’s a list with 5 of the most common Hound Group dogs:
Beagle
Curious and friendly; known for its excellent sense of smell and love for exploring.
Dachshund
Bold and curious; has a long body and short legs, perfect for burrowing and hunting.
Basset Hound
Laid-back and loyal; recognizable by its droopy ears and sad eyes.
Bloodhound
Powerful and determined; excellent tracking skills with a loving disposition.
Greyhound
Gentle and calm; the fastest dog breed, perfect for quiet, loving homes.
Will the hound dog group fit into your household?
The Hound Group dog breeds are known for their excellent hunting skills, endurance and loyalty. If you enjoy long walks, hiking or running on a regular basis than a hound dog could be something for you. As they are very independent at the house, it would be a good thing if you could offer them some space like a secure and big garden. Great dog for active household, who can also appreciate time alone.
Click here if you would like to read more about the Hound Group dogs.
Working Group Dog Breeds
The Working Group dog is maybe one of the most all round superior (Yes, I’m biased because of Shiva :D) dog breeds out there. Highly intelligent, strong and capable. Originally bed to perform different jobs like, guarding, pulling sleds or rescuing. Known for their physical strength and ability to focus on getting their job done. Even though they are tough on the outside, they have a weak spot for their family making them very loving and loyal.
Here’s a list with the 5 most common Working Group dogs:
German Shepherd
Loyal, intelligent, and versatile; often used in police and military roles.
Rottweiler
Confident and strong; known for its protective nature and loyalty to its family.
Siberian Husky
Energetic and friendly; loves cold weather and has a thick double coat.
Boxer
Playful and energetic; great with kids and very loyal to its family.
Doberman Pinscher
Fearless and loyal; intelligent and excellent as a guard dog.
Working group breed perfect for your wishes?
If you would like to own a working group dog there are some requirements from your side. It is very important that you have the time and experience to train consistently. Making these dogs not suitable for first time dog owners. Also having a larger space for the dogs to release their high energy levels is almost a necessity. If you’re part of an active household, with spare time and space, a working group dog breed could give you an amazing companion, who is loyal and offers protecting.
Don’t underestimate the amount of afford you’ll have to put into training them, the working group dog breed is among the most returned to dog shelters, because people are underestimating these breeds.
Click here if you would like to read more about the Working Group dogs.
Terrier Group
Small to medium size dogs with the power, energy but most of all personality of a big one. Originally bred for hunting and eliminating vermin and small animals. Very independent and focused on getting their job done, these traits makes them stubborn from time to time. Despite their smaller size, terriers are very tough and fearless, never backing down from a challenge.
Here’s a list with the 5 most common Terrier Group dogs;
Jack Russell Terrier
Energetic and clever; loves to dig and chase, perfect for active owners.
Bull Terrier
Fun-loving and mischievous; known for its distinctive egg-shaped head.
Scottish Terrier
Independent and alert; a small, sturdy dog with a dignified air.
West Highland White Terrier
Cheerful and spunky; small, white-coated terrier known for its playful nature.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Loyal and loving; muscular and strong, great with kids.
Does the Terrier Group Dog Breed fits your household?
If you love going to explore the outdoors with a stubborn personality by your side, a terrier group dog breed might be the option for you. Make sure you have some extra time to train them properly, specially socialization on a early age. Their bold and curious character makes them a perfect fit for active households that have the patience to guide their independence and strong-willed behavior. In return you will get a loyal companion who brings a lot of joy and energy.
Click here if you would like to read more about the Terrier Group dogs.
Dog Breeds Toy Group
Yes, there’s a dog breed group called Toy Group. And yes, it does contain small dogs! But don’t get me wrong, in this case small dogs equals big personalities. Originally bred as companions, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to think that they are great, loving and loyal family dogs. They tend to be very adaptable, making them suitable for living in a apartment or homes without massive gardens.
Here’s a list of 5 common Toy Group dogs:
Chihuahua
Tiny and sassy; a big personality in a small body, perfect for lap cuddles.
Pomeranian
Fluffy and outgoing; known for its foxlike face and lively nature.
Yorkshire Terrier
Feisty and affectionate; small with a long, silky coat, great for city living.
Pug
Playful and charming; has a distinctive wrinkled face and curly tail.
Shih Tzu
Sweet and friendly; known for its long, flowing coat and loving nature.
Is a Toy Group Dog Breed going to be your new companion?
These breeds are perfect for people who want a small, easy to take care dog that fits well in a lot of different living spaces. Their size makes it suitable for people with limited space, their funny and bold characters makes them great companions. Thriving on the attention and love of there owners. I probably should have gone with a toy group breed instead of a Belgian Shepherd..
Click here if you would like to read more about the Toy Group dogs.
Herding Group
The Herding Group dogs are very smart, high in energy. They have been bred to herd livestock. This strong instincts still very visible, if you’re not careful they could start herding a group of kids. They are very loyal, definitely towards the pact leader, making them good partners for active people. They do require a lot of attention and exercise to keep them happy and well-behaved. Dog owning experience is recommended with these kind of breeds.
Border Collie
Intelligent and energetic; excels at agility and herding tasks.
Australian Shepherd
Active and smart; great with families and loves outdoor activities.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Bold and friendly; known for its short legs and long body, often a herding dog.
Shetland Sheepdog
Loyal and intelligent; resembles a small Collie and excels in agility.
Collie
Gentle and loyal; famous from “Lassie,” great with children.
A Herding Group Dog Breed for your family?
If your needs, meets their needs, everybody should be happy. Definitely a breed that requires large amount of attention, space and time. Make sure you are ready for a tornado of energy entering your household. It will be your duty to prevent them of becoming bored, in which case they will develop bad behavioral issues. Having some experiences with owning and training a dog before is kind of a must if you’re thinking about getting a Herding Group Dog Breed.
Click here if you would like to read more about the Herding Group dogs.
Non-Sporting Group
The Non-Sporting Group dogs could be considered the black sheep of dog breeds. They don’t really fit into a generalized group. None the less does this group bring out some of the most unique dog breeds that exist. Ranging from charming, playful but also very independent. If you don’t find a group that suits you well, you could consider taking a deeper look in the non-sporting group. Even though most of these breed have been bred for specific jobs, today they are mostly serving as a loyal friend and loving companion.
Here’s a list of 5 of the most common Non-Sporting Group dogs:
French Bulldog
Playful and affectionate; small with distinctive bat ears and a loving personality.
Bulldog
Calm and courageous; known for its wrinkled face and muscular build.
Dalmatian
Energetic and alert; known for its distinctive black spots and firehouse history.
Poodle
Intelligent and elegant; hypoallergenic with a curly coat, perfect for various lifestyles.
Boston Terrier
Friendly and bright; small with a tuxedo coat and gentle disposition.
Non-Sporting Group Dog Your Perfect companion?
It’s hard to give a specific household description for the non sporting group dog, as they are so diverse in characters, but typically these breeds will adapt well to different living situations. If you’re looking for a low maintenance play buddy or for a relaxed and laid-back companion, you will find your perfect fit in this group. Make sure you learn about the specific breed so you’re prepared to take care of your new buddy!
Click here if you would like to read more about the Non-Sporting Group dogs.
Miscellaneous Dog Breeds
Than we have another batch of mixed dogs to choose from. This group of dogs are still be recognized by the official kennel clubs, even though they do compete in different competitions and events to gain more popularity. If you’re looking for a unique dog with unique traits, you could consider one of these dogs.
Here’s a list of 5 common Miscellaneous Dog Breeds:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Affectionate and gentle; small, with long ears and a loving nature.
Great Dane
Gentle giant; known for its large size and gentle, loving nature.
Maltese
Playful and loving; small with a long, silky white coat, perfect for lap cuddles.
Chow Chow
Independent and loyal; known for its lion-like mane and blue-black tongue.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Gentle and strong; loves outdoor adventures and is great with families.
The Miscellaneous Group Dog Breeds will provide you with a one of a kind dog breed.
Perfect for people who’re looking to adopt a rare or unique dog breed. They might not be as well known as other dog breeds, so they could be a great fit for somebody who shares that trait. As there’s a large variety in breeds it’s very possible to find a breed fitting your household. It’s important to research the specific dog breed you’re interested in, so you’ll be ready when your new best friend is arriving.
Click here if you would like to read more about the Miscellaneous Group dogs.
I truly hope this guide gave you some more information about the breed you’re looking for, by researching deeper and deeper throughout this website you will find out which dog breed would suits you and your household the most. Dogs are very dependent and vulnerable beings, they deserve to be in a fitting home, with the right tools and possibility’s available.
We’re here to help you with that, read more about your favorite grouping breed; Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Herding, Non-Sporting, and Miscellaneous.
There is a dog waiting for you.