Dogs: Different Breeds

Although there are approximately 400 breeds ofshepherds and collies and cattle herders such as
dogs recognized in the world, the American Kennelbouviers and corgis. They love to work, exercise and
Club (AKC) only recognizes 146 breeds. These breedsplay. 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. TheGroup consists of breeds that are determined and
dogs in each group share similar characteristics butvery competitive. Two types of terriers are fighting
can be quite diverse and therefore each group hasbreeds and vermin hunters. Fighters such as pit bulls
distinctive subgroups.The Sporting Group were bredand bull terriers are courageous yet perhaps
to assist man in hunting, especially in retrieving birdssomewhat cocky but fortunately most of their
from water or fields. These are very active dogsaggression has been bred down. They can make
that are loyal and intelligent. They need lots ofexcellent pets but need early socialization to ensure
exercise and do not like to be left alone. Excellentthat they can be comfortable around other people
family dogs who love interaction, these dogs can playand animals.Vermin hunters were originally bred to
fetch for hours and absolutely love it. Subgroups inhunt vermin on farms and hence are very alert, lively,
this category include retrievers, pointers, setters andagile and independent. These dogs include just about
spaniels.The Hound Group are also favoured forevery breed of terrier that you can think of and
hunting because of their instinct to follow fast-movingmake great pets if you like spirited dogs that require
game like rabbits and foxes. They are renowned forpatience, training and attention.The majority of the
their keen sense of smell and sharp eyesight anddogs that comprise the Non-Sporting Group were
tend to be great pets due to their gentle, easy tobred to perform specific jobs that now have become
get along with nature. Subgroups include sight houndsobsolete 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 andbreed group have very wide variations so it makes
dachshunds; and large game hounds such as thesense to consult breed-specific information sources
beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback.Dogs that make up thebefore selecting one of these dogs as a pet. Some
Working Group were historically bred to performof the breeds in this group include the Dalmatian,
specific tasks for people. This group includes sledBichon Frise, Lhasa apso and the poodle.The final
dogs that love cold weather, living outside and needbreed 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 fortend to be adorable, affectionate pets that are ideal
protection and are thus alert, courageous, intelligentfor the elderly or apartment dwellers. These dogs
and independent. These dogs can be territorial andneed attention and exercise and will benefit
require strong leadership and structured training.Othertremendously from training to prevent them from
breeds that make up the Working Group includeconstant barking and nipping.Many people prefer
personal protection dogs like boxers and Dobermansmixed breeds but the advantage of choosing a
that are very loyal and strong-willed and rescue dogspurebred is predictability of behaviour. For example, if
such as the friendly Saint Bernard. Rescue dogs canyou want a dog that will retrieve, you know you will
be terrific with children if they are raised with themget that with a retriever. The main point is that all
and tend to be quiet and unassuming.The dogs ofdogs should make excellent pets if given proper
the Herding Group do just that, herd livestock. Thisattention including exercise, discipline and affection.
group can be broken down into sheep herders like