| Although there are approximately 400 breeds of | | | | shepherds and collies and cattle herders such as |
| dogs recognized in the world, the American Kennel | | | | bouviers and corgis. They love to work, exercise and |
| Club (AKC) only recognizes 146 breeds. These breeds | | | | play. Extremely agile and easy to train, these dogs |
| are subdivided into seven groups: Sporting, Hound, | | | | also tend to be fabulous family pets.The Terrier |
| Working, Herding, Non-Sporting, Terrier and Toy. The | | | | Group consists of breeds that are determined and |
| dogs in each group share similar characteristics but | | | | very competitive. Two types of terriers are fighting |
| can be quite diverse and therefore each group has | | | | breeds and vermin hunters. Fighters such as pit bulls |
| distinctive subgroups.The Sporting Group were bred | | | | and bull terriers are courageous yet perhaps |
| to assist man in hunting, especially in retrieving birds | | | | somewhat cocky but fortunately most of their |
| from water or fields. These are very active dogs | | | | aggression has been bred down. They can make |
| that are loyal and intelligent. They need lots of | | | | excellent pets but need early socialization to ensure |
| exercise and do not like to be left alone. Excellent | | | | that they can be comfortable around other people |
| family dogs who love interaction, these dogs can play | | | | and animals.Vermin hunters were originally bred to |
| fetch for hours and absolutely love it. Subgroups in | | | | hunt vermin on farms and hence are very alert, lively, |
| this category include retrievers, pointers, setters and | | | | agile and independent. These dogs include just about |
| spaniels.The Hound Group are also favoured for | | | | every breed of terrier that you can think of and |
| hunting because of their instinct to follow fast-moving | | | | make great pets if you like spirited dogs that require |
| game like rabbits and foxes. They are renowned for | | | | patience, training and attention.The majority of the |
| their keen sense of smell and sharp eyesight and | | | | dogs that comprise the Non-Sporting Group were |
| tend to be great pets due to their gentle, easy to | | | | bred to perform specific jobs that now have become |
| get along with nature. Subgroups include sight hounds | | | | obsolete so the animals have become companions. |
| such as greyhounds, whippets and Irish wolfhounds; | | | | The personalities of the dogs that make up this |
| scent hounds like basset hounds, beagles and | | | | breed group have very wide variations so it makes |
| dachshunds; and large game hounds such as the | | | | sense to consult breed-specific information sources |
| beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback.Dogs that make up the | | | | before selecting one of these dogs as a pet. Some |
| Working Group were historically bred to perform | | | | of the breeds in this group include the Dalmatian, |
| specific tasks for people. This group includes sled | | | | Bichon Frise, Lhasa apso and the poodle.The final |
| dogs that love cold weather, living outside and need | | | | breed group is the Toy Group. They are mainly |
| plenty of exercise. Guard dogs such as mastiffs, | | | | miniature versions of hunting or working dogs and |
| rottweilers and Great Danes were bred for | | | | tend to be adorable, affectionate pets that are ideal |
| protection and are thus alert, courageous, intelligent | | | | for the elderly or apartment dwellers. These dogs |
| and independent. These dogs can be territorial and | | | | need attention and exercise and will benefit |
| require strong leadership and structured training.Other | | | | tremendously from training to prevent them from |
| breeds that make up the Working Group include | | | | constant barking and nipping.Many people prefer |
| personal protection dogs like boxers and Dobermans | | | | mixed breeds but the advantage of choosing a |
| that are very loyal and strong-willed and rescue dogs | | | | purebred is predictability of behaviour. For example, if |
| such as the friendly Saint Bernard. Rescue dogs can | | | | you want a dog that will retrieve, you know you will |
| be terrific with children if they are raised with them | | | | get that with a retriever. The main point is that all |
| and tend to be quiet and unassuming.The dogs of | | | | dogs should make excellent pets if given proper |
| the Herding Group do just that, herd livestock. This | | | | attention including exercise, discipline and affection. |
| group can be broken down into sheep herders like | | | | |