1. Discuss major breeds of dogs
Objective 7.01

2. Major Groups of Dogs
1. Sporting dogs, such as pointers, were developed for hunting game. 2. Hounds, including beagles, were developed for hunting and tracking by sight or scent. 3. Terriers were developed to hunt underground. 4. Working dogs were developed to perform services such as police and rescue work, guarding property, and pulling sleds. 5. Herding dogs include collies and are used to assist in managing livestock such as sheep and cattle. 6. Toy dogs such as Chihuahua, Pekingese, and pug were developed to be of small size for use as house pets and companion animals. 7. Non-­‐sporting are miscellaneous breeds such as Boston Terrier, Dalmatian, and Poodle used mainly for companionship. 8. Jack Russell Terrier is not included in the other groups according to some kennel registrations. However, the American Kennel Club has included the Jack Russell in the Terrier group under the name Parson Russell Terrier.

3. Sporting Group
Twenty-­‐four breeds make up the sporting group. Some examples include: 1. Pointers -­‐Dogs developed about 200 years ago in England that gets their name from the stance they take when they find game. a. Colored liver, lemon, black, orange either in combination with white or solid colored. b. Have even temperament, affectionate nature, intelligence, and patience with children. 2. Irish setter – Large setter noted for its solid red color, speed, loyalty, boldness, and toughness. a. Used for all types of game, but train slower than some other breeds. b. Ideal show dog, but it can’t be used for both show and field. 3. American Cocker Spaniels are the smallest members of the sporting dog family. a. Often sandy color with elegant appearance and cheerful disposition. b. It is a soft-­‐hearted dog that makes an excellent family pet. Labrador Retrievers – The retriever is an active water dog that was bred to get downed waterfowl. a. Alert, friendly disposition, fine temperament, and inquisitive nature. b. Very dependable dog that has become one of the best used breeds for guide dogs for the blind, or for search and rescue work. 5. Some other sporting dog breeds include: Brittany Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Springer Spaniel, Weimaraner, etc.

4. Hound Group
D. The hound group hunts by scent or by sight. The greyhound (mainly used for racing in the
United States) and Afghan hound hunt by sight, while most others hunt by smell.
1. Basset hound has an excellent sense of smell.
a. Short-­‐legged dog heavier in bone than any other breed for its size.
b. Bassets are gentle, devoted dogs that are good with children, but may be stubborn and difficult to house break.
2. Beagles are noted for their rabbit hunting ability, but also make great pets and companions.
a. Beagles range in weight from 18 -­‐ 30 pounds and are usually about 13 -­‐ 15" at the shoulder.
b. Colors range from a blue with black tigering, white, black, orange, or hound type tri-­‐
coloring.
3. Bloodhounds are one of the most docile of all breeds. 
a. Bloodhounds can track a scent that is several hours old.
b. They are affectionate, but somewhat shy, non-­‐aggressive, and sensitive to correction and kindness and excellent pets for children.
4. Greyhounds were favorites of Egyptian royalty.
a. Greyhounds are good at hunting all types of game, but are best known for speed and are mainly used in the United States for racing.
b. Not recommended as a companion dog for children.
5. Some other breeds in the hunting dog group include: Afghan Hound, American Foxhound, Black and Tan Coonhound, Dachshund, Norwegian Elkhound, etc.

5. Terrier Group
The terrier group was developed to hunt “underground”. Its name is derived from the Latin word terra meaning earth. There are two subgroups: the long legged and the short legged.
1. Fox Terrier may be either smooth or wired, depending on the type of hair coat.
a. One of the Best known and most widely distributed purebred dogs noted for their courage in hunting animals that den in the ground.
b. White should be the dominant color. Brindle, red, or liver are to be avoided.
2. Miniature Schnauzer is a German breed developed to hunt badger, fox, weasel, etc. a. Good apartment dog and pet that is fond of children.
b. Less than 20 pounds and only 12 – 14" in height at the shoulder, stocky, and wire-­‐
haired.
3. Parson Russell Terrier -­‐ Recognized by the American Kennel Club as part of the Terrier group. This dog was formerly the Jack Russell Terrier and is still recognized in other nations as a separate breed. (See Description under Jack Russell Terrier)
4. Some other breeds in the Terrier group include: Airdale Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Border
Terrier, Bull Terrier, Skye Terrier, Welsh Terrier, etc.

6. Working Group
Working dogs perform a service to humans such as pulling sleds, protecting property, doing rescue work, and carrying messages.
1. Great Dane is one of two largest breeds of dogs and is friendly companion or watchdog. a. Weight: average 110-­‐115 pounds for females, 120-­‐150 pounds for males
Height at the shoulder: more than 28" for females, more than 30" for males.
2. Saint Bernard’s are one of the two largest breeds
a. Excellent sense of smell and coat made it suitable to perform rescue in extreme mountain climate conditions.
b. Peaceful, quiet, and gentle dog that loves the company of human and makes a good companion dog.
3. Siberian Husky originated in Asia as an endurance sled dog, but found its home in Alaska when it began to win the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race in the early 1900’s.
a. Friendly, gentle dog, but may be stubborn and ill around children.
b. Does not have the aggressiveness or protective qualities to be a watchdog.
4. Some other breeds in the “working dog” include: Alaskan malamute, Boxer, Doberman
Pinscher, Great Pyrenees, Mastiff, Standard Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Samoyed Breed, etc.

7. Herding Group
Herding dogs were developed to assist the herdsman manage various livestock species.
1. Collies are one of the older breeds and were used for sheepherding.
a. Collies are used mainly today as pets and are devoted family dogs that are wary of strangers and very protective of their owner and family.
b. Collies are either rough-­‐coated (longhaired) or smooth coated, with the long-­‐haired collie requiring frequent brushing to remove burrs and knotted hair.
2. The German Shepherd may have been crossed between herding dogs and wolves; their uses today include rescue dogs, police dogs, guard dogs, guide dogs, and pets.
a. Shepherds are courageous, loyal, obedient, and affectionate to family members, but leery of strangers.
b. Color: Black nose with various shades of gray, brown, and yellow.
3. The Shetland Sheepdog is basically a small version of the collie that is excellent family pets and companion dogs.
a. Noted for being a docile, devoted dog that is very intelligent.
b. Color: Miniature collie with black, blue merle, and sable with markings of white and/or tan.
4. Other dogs in the “herding dog” group include: Old English Sheepdog, Welsh Corgi, etc.

8. Toy Group
The Toy Dog Group is so-­‐named because of their small size, and is most often used as house pets and companions. 1. The Chihuahua, named for the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, is the smallest breed of dog in the world and the oldest breed on the American continent. a. Noted as a clannish breed that does not like other breeds of dogs. b. These little dogs are courageous, energetic, lively, alert, and intelligent. 2. The Pekingese is a breed from China that is extremely affectionate with its owner and that make good watchdogs or lapdogs for apartment dwellers. a. These little dogs are not afraid of larger adversaries and will show great courage. b. Pekingese require teeth care to prevent decay and frequent coat care. 3. The Shih Tzu breed is a Chinese breed with a long, flowing hair coat that requires constant care to prevent matting and knotting. a. Color: Eyes and nose are rim black with any coat color. b. Looks like a miniature lion and has an aristocratic, arrogant carriage 4. Other dogs in the “toy dog” group include: Italian Greyhound, Manchester Terrier, Pug, etc.

9. Non-Sporting
Non-­‐sporting dogs are miscellaneous breeds used mainly for companion dogs.
1. The Boston Terrier is an American breed that originated from crossing the English Bulldog and white English Terrier and further developed though inbreeding.
a. The Boston Terrier is a clean cut dog that has the body conformation of a Terrier. b. These dogs make excellent house dogs or companion dogs because they are even
tempered, intelligent, and get along well with children.
 2. The Dalmatian is a calm, quiet dog noted for its intelligence and adaptability that has been used as a trail hounds for tracking, for hunting birds, boar, and bear, retrieving game, but most notably as a coach or carriage dog (fire trucks).
a. These dogs will follow their master if at all possible, thrive on human companionship, and are natural as guardians and love children.
b. Color: White with black spots or white with liver brown spots.
 3. The Poodle is a very intelligent, good natured dog (usually), known as the national dog of
France where it was used as a retriever, duck (water) dog, and circus trick dog.
 a. Poodles are more used today as companion and show dogs.
b. Three classes based on weight by gender and heights include: Standards, Miniature varieties, and Toy Poodles.
 4. Other dogs in the “non-­‐sporting dog” group include: Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Chow Chow, etc.