Groups of Dog Breeds

It always amazes me that the judges of dog shows, such as the upcoming Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, compare different breeds of dog to each other and somehow come out with a "best of". How they can compare a Dachshund to an Afghan Hound (both in the Hound group) and decide which best represents the Hound class is a mystery to me. The experienced judges are able to do it though, through their years of training and expertise. It's a fascinating process.

Even though the dogs in the groups may look very different, they do have similarities in personality and function. If you are thinking about bringing a dog into your home as a pet, it is helpful to know what kind to traits they might have. For example, a hunting dog is a lively, energetic dog and needs to be able to exercise. A sporting and hunting dog does best in an environment where they have room to run, such as on a farm. A toy dog, on the other hand, is bred specifically as a pet and is great for an apartment and as a lap pet and companion.

When watching a dog show, such as the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Show, or another dog show, here is a guide to the groups of breeds:

Sporting
Sporting dogs are gun dogs originally developed to go hunting with the hunter and assist. Sporting dogs have high energy and stable temperaments. Pointers and Setters point and mark game. Spaniels flush birds. Retrievers recover the game from water and land. Because Sporting Dogs are naturally active and alert, potential owners need to realize that they require regular, invigorating exercise. Sporting dogs make likable companions and great famiy pets.