If you have followed us for any amount of time you know that we do something called The Daily Dog on our social channels. Here we showcase a breed and share a bit about their history, trainability, temperament etc. We do this for a couple reasons, we fully believe that dog breeds innately are pre-disposed to do certain things based on their breed. For example, a border collie will herd your kids, a Labrador will love to fetch, and a Siberian is born to pull. None of this is by accident. All 200 plus breeds were created to do a particular job or fill a need for their human companions. On today show we are going to talk about the seven different groups organized by the work that they were bred to do.
Hello and welcome to Dog Works Radio. I am your host, Michele Forto. I am also the lead trainer of Alaska Dog Works. Here we help you have a better relationship with your K9 buddy.
Did you know that I have trained well over 100 breeds and countless mixed breeds. I pride myself in learning as much as I can about each breed. This is important because it allows me to make informed decisions on developing a training plan for your dog and it allows me to give advice to a family that is looking to add a new dog to their family. I would bet that there are many trainers out there that don’t take the time to do the research on the breeds they come in contact, and they provide a cookie cutter training program for every dog, regardless of breed. Guess what, that is why most training programs fail.
Today we are going to talk about each of the seven different groups, like the working, sporting, and toy group and if you stick around you can find out how your mixed breed Goldendoodle or Alaskan Husky can compete in AKC events like barn hunt and obedience.
Dog conformation shows are occasionally accused of being beauty contests. They’re organized more like job fairs. At shows like the AKC National Championship, dogs are exhibited in seven different groups, organized by the original work that each breed was developed to do. The dog judged to be the best in each group becomes one of the final seven dogs to vie for the coveted Best in Show title.
Sporting Group
Breeds in the Sporting Group were bred to assist hunters in the capture and retrieval of feathered game. Retrievers, built for swimming, specialize on waterfowl, while the hunting grounds of setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds are grasslands where quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest. Many Sporting Group breeds possess thick, water-repellant coats resistant to harsh hunting conditions.
Breeds You May Know:
Breeds You May Not Know:
Hound Group
All breeds in the Hound Group were bred to pursue warm-blooded quarry. The sleek, long-legged sighthounds use explosive speed and wide vision to chase swift prey, like jackrabbits and antelope, while tough, durable scenthounds rely on their powerful noses to trail anything from raccoons to escaped convicts. Members of the Hound Group possess strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch their quarries.
Breeds You May Know:
Breeds You May Not Know:
Working Group
Breeds in the Working Group are dogkind’s punch-the-clock, blue-collar workers, and the group includes some of the world’s most ancient breeds. They were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks and homes, and protecting their families – and many of these breeds are still used as working dogs today. Breeds in the Working Group tend to be known for imposing stature, strength, and intelligence.
Breeds You May Know:
Breeds You May Not Know:
Terrier Group
The feisty, short-legged breeds in the Terrier Group were first bred to go underground in pursuit of rodents and other vermin. Long-legged terrier breeds dig out varmints rather than burrowing in after them, while the group’s “bully” breeds, created long ago for ghastly pursuits like bull-baiting, are popular companion dogs today. Breeds in the Terrier Group are excellent competitors in the sport of Earthdog.
Breeds You May Know:
- Bull Terrier
- Scottish Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier
Breeds You May Not Know:
Toy Group
The diminutive breeds of the Toy Group come in enough coat types and colors to satisfy nearly any preference, but all are small enough to fit comfortably in the lap of their adored humans. In a way, toys dogs are their own version of working dogs: they work hard at being attentive, affectionate companions. Breeds in the Toy Group are popular with city dwellers, as their small size makes them a good fit for smaller yards or apartments.
Breeds You May Know:
Breeds You May Not Know:
Non-Sporting Group
The breeds of the Non-Sporting Group have two things in common: wet noses and four legs. After that, there’s not much shared by this patchwork group of breeds whose job descriptions defy categorization in the six other groups, though they all have fascinating histories. Today, the varied breeds of the Non-Sporting Group are largely sought after as companion animals, as they were all developed to interact with people in some capacity.
Breeds You May Know:
Breeds You May Not Know:
Herding Group
The Herding Group comprises breeds developed for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness makes them highly trainable. Today, some Herding breeds, such as the German Shepherd Dog, are commonly trained for police work. The high levels of energy found in Herding Group breeds means finding them a job is recommended, lest they begin herding your children at home.
Breeds You May Know:
Breeds You May Not Know:
We are going to take a short break here and when we come back we are going to learn about the AKC Canine Partner Program
What is the AKC Canine Partner Program?
The AKC Canine Partners™ Program is an all-encompassing program that welcomes all mixed breed dogs of any age to the AKC family. Dogs enrolled as an AKC Canine Partners™ pup can participate in AKC sports and events, like Agility, AKC Rally, or Obedience.
You’ll also enjoy other practical benefits, like optional 30-day pet insurance coverage, AKC Reunite SM lost pet recovery service protection and a complimentary veterinarian visit through the AKC Veterinary Network.
All dogs that are not eligible for AKC Purebred Registration or the AKC Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) can join the AKC Canine Partners™ Program—because all dogs belong here.
So what do you think? Do you know all about your dog’s breed history, temperament, and trainability? Let us know in the comments section or on our social channels; just search dog works radio.
