Herding dogs
This group works with herds of sheep and cattle, controlling their movements. Herding dogs have been prized by shepherds and farmers for centuries. They are quick, strong, and highly intelligent. They are excellent learners and look to their owners for instructions on their behavior.
Even without training, they naturally start herding. A Herding dog can sometimes see people or pets as creatures to be herded; some may gently push or nip at heels, as they do for sheep and cattle.
Herding dogs need lots of exercise, or they can become bored and get into mischief. They need to work, even if that means playing an organized game with their owner. Some are barkers when they have something to communicate. They are extremely loyal to their families.
The Herding breeds are:
Hounds
There are two kinds of Hounds: scent hounds and sighthounds. Scent hounds hunt with their noses, sighthounds with their eyes. Both are some of the oldest kinds of dogs used by man to help him hunt.
Hounds tend to work independently. They move ahead of the hunter to track down and corner the prey. Many have a �baying� bark or song, while others have a sharp bark. These sounds let the hunter know where they are once they�ve found the prey.
Hounds are sweet and loving with people, but sometimes their �ears turn off when their noses turn on,� as a popular scent hound-owner saying goes. Tracking an intriguing smell is what the scent hounds love to do most, even if you�re in a hurry to do something else. The sighthounds are agile and fast, so be sure to keep them on a lead when you�re not in a safely enclosed area with them. Overall, hounds are good-natured and want to please you.
The scent hounds are:
The sighthounds are:
Sporting dogs
These dogs were developed over the years to work closely with people hunting birds. The various pointers, retrievers, setters, and spaniels are all in the Sporting Group. Each has a specialty. Pointers find the game and show the hunter where it is by freezing in place. Retrievers get it after it has been brought down by the hunter. Setters locate the game by freezing (�setting�) near it. And Spaniels �flush� or �spring� the game from its hiding place by rushing up to it.
Many of the breeds in this group are able to perform several of these jobs. Sporting dogs have an excellent ability to locate by smell, and many are able to carry things gently in their mouths. Sporting dogs like to be around people and interact with them. They need company. They�ve always worked side by side with people, so they pay attention and are quick learners. They are active and alert, so they need a good daily workout of play and exercise.
The Sporting breeds are:
Non-sporting dogs
This is a group for the dogs that don�t especially fit any of the other categories. It�s not that they don�t work, it�s that they�re either not used for their original jobs anymore, or don�t entirely conform to the qualities of another group. Regardless, the Non-Sporting breeds are companions first now. That means they like to be with their owners. Most are quick and willing learners.
There is a lot of variety in this group of individualists. Many of the breeds have colorful histories. They range in origin from the Orient (Chow Chow) to the Netherlands (Keeshond). Their former duties included coach guard (Dalmatian), good luck charm (Tibetan Terrier), and retriever (Poodle).
The Non-Sporting breeds are:
Toy dogs
There are small dogs in most of the groups, but the dogs in the Toy Group are the smallest. With their baby size and charming expressions, they are appealing to everybody. Because of their small size, though, toy breeds are delicate. Children must handle them carefully and gently. These dogs also need to be protected from hot or cold weather. The toy breeds enjoy being spoiled and petted, but not to excess. Many have big-dog personalities in their tiny-dog bodies. They don�t require much living space, and will thrive in a calm family. Their size makes them portable, so you can take them almost anywhere with you.
The Toy breeds are:
Terriers
Some terriers are small, but that doesn�t stop them from being brave. They
are
scrappy little hunters who seek out vermin such as rats. Terra means �earth�
in Latin; terriers are, literally, �earthdogs.� They�ll dig anywhere if it means
catching their prey. This hunting instinct, however, can lead to digging in
the yard. You can train your terrier to dig in his own special sandbox�he�ll
love it.
Terriers are able to live quite happily in the city or the country. Their strong sense of determination requires some determination from you when it comes to training, but your efforts will be rewarded with these clever, hardy dogs.
Many of the terriers have unique coats that don�t shed. Their coats do, however, need grooming�often special trimming or clipping�to keep them looking their best.
The Terriers are:
Working Dogs
This fascinating Group has performed many jobs in history. Working dogs demonstrate how versatile and intelligent dogs can be by assisting farmers, butchers, shepherds, warriors, and nomadic tribespeople. Many have served boldly as guards.
Most of the Working dogs are large and know how to think for themselves. As an owner, it�s up to you to make sure these wonderful traits are put to their most positive use. Training is essential for these dogs: They like to know what you want from them because they like to get a job done. If you don�t tell them what to do, they�ll be sure to come up with their own ideas.
To keep them from getting overly protective, you should socialize them early and often. Even the sweetest dogs in this group can be frightening to kids because of their large size.
The Working breeds are:
Miscellaneous Class
The AKC currently includes 140 breeds of dogs in its registry, but there are
actually hundreds of breeds that exist throughout the world. It takes time to
become one of the breeds that the AKC �recognizes,� or includes in its Stud
Book records and competitive activities.
Owners of a breed must get together to prove their interest in getting AKC recognition for their breed. This interest must represent the entire United States.
How does a breed become recognized? The first step is to form a national or �parent� club to represent the breeders and owners. These people organize activities for their breed, such as showing or field competitions. They also determine the breed standard�an exact description of what the dog should be like. When the AKC has seen that the parent club has enthusiasm for gaining wider recognition for their breed, it might invite the parent club to join the AKC as part of the Miscellaneous Class.
Being in the Miscellaneous Class means the breed can participate in AKC obedience trials and earn titles. Miscellaneous breeds can also take part in dog shows for conformation, competing in the Miscellaneous Class, but are ineligible for championship points. Once the AKC has seen the active participation of a healthy breed over a period of time, the breed can then become �recognized� by the AKC.
Presently, the breeds in the Miscellaneous Class are: