Herding Dog Breeds
- Herding dogs represent dogs that were primarily used on farms to guard livestock and move livestock between fields. These dogs are noted for intelligence and trainability.
Hound Dog Breeds
- The Hound dog was primarily used for hunting. These dogs hunt either by sight or sound, but all have one trait in common, stamina.
Mixed Dog Breeds
- Mixed dogs are crossbreeds that make up the hybrid dogs, the 'designer' dogs, and the mutt. Some are breeds that are newer, and may not yet qualify for dog registries.
Non-Sporting Dog Breeds
- Non-Sporting Dogs are diverse in backgrounds and original use. They vary in size, coat, personality, and overall appearance.
Sporting Dog Breeds
- Sporting Dogs excel in field activities, good companions with strong water and nature instincts. Possible Spanish origins, as many have the suffix 'spaniels' prominent in the breed name.
Terrier Dog Breeds
- The Terrier is a breed of dog that was originally developed to hunt and kill vermin, dig out prey or burrow into dens. Terriers are noted for peppiness and tenacity.
Toy Dog Breeds
- The Toy dog was bred as house pet, with many originally owned by nobility and members of the ruling class. These Miniature Dogs often have courage disproportionate to their size.
Working Dog Breeds - Working dogs were dogs used to aid humans; help guard estates and livestock, pull carts and sleds, rescue dogs, and serve in war. They are large and strong.
It's been more than ten thousand years since humans and dogs first crossed paths, and our lives have been inextricably linked since. We share our lives more completely with dogs than we do with any other animal. Yet to have a successful relationship, a dog and its owner need to be well suited to each other.
Owning and living with a dog, is forming a partnership like no other. The process of choosing the right dog and knowing what to expect will provide the basis of a great relationship. The right dog will provide an owner with years of fun, love, and companionship; the right home is where a dog is loved, cared for, and treasured.
"Hana and her siblings were found tied up in a bag in Yakima, WA. I was searching through Petfinder.com and couldn’t help but go and get her! She loves fetching tennis balls and playing with my cats!!! : )"
"Hana has it all! From being tied up in a bag to living with fun cats. Thanks for sharing her with us."
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Dog Breeds: How to Pick a Dog
Dog breeds come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and personalities. To get the right type of dog will take thoughtful analysis. Purchasing a puppy on impulse can lead to discontent and heartbreak.
Take a careful look at each dog breeds characteristics, and then give some thoughtful consideration to you and your family. Combine your lifestyle, accommodations, temperaments, and tastes with each type of dog; narrowing it down until you have determined which dog breed is the best fit. This approach will make both the owners and the dogs happy for years to come.
Dog Breed Information
Knowing what you envision doing with your dog is an important consideration in determining how to pick a dog. Starting with the dog types, and their breed characteristics, will give you a good overview. You can then narrow this down to an individual dog.
Dog Types are organized into several groups. Each member of a group may share a number of similar characteristics. These can be things like dog backgrounds and ancestry, physical appearance, and temperament. One of the most important aspects of these groups, is based on what function the dogs were bred for.
These characteristics provide an understanding of what the different types of dog's need. They give you an idea of how active, attentive, and trainable a particular dog type may be. And most importantly, you can learn what will be required to keep them as happy, healthy pets.
Dog Types: Dog Backgrounds
The various breed registries differ somewhat in how they categorize dog types into groups. In each of these registries, characteristics will sometimes span more than one group. Things like small dog breeds, large dog breeds, miniature dogs, types of terriers, hunting dogs, guard dogs, and companion dogs, can cross from one class to another. The dog types we group them into follow the groupings as set by American Kennel Club (AKC).
The following articles
explore each of the dog types:
Herding Dogs, Dog Breed Information and Dog Care Tips for Herding Dog Breeds
Herding dog breeds represent dogs that were primarily used on farms to guard livestock and move livestock between fields. These dogs are noted for intelligence and trainability. They are not aggressive and make loyal and affectionate dogs. Being very energetic, they will need to be kept busy. If not given a job they may very well find their own activities which may be chewing your slippers or digging in the yard.
Hound Dog, Dog Information and Dog Care Tips for Hunting Dogs That Are Hound Dog Breeds
Hound dog breeds were primarily used for hunting. These dogs hunt either by sight or sound, but all have one trait in common, stamina. Many hounds make exceptional pets, but they are instinctual hunting dogs.
Nothing makes them happier than sniffing out or sighting a varmint, and they pursuing it to the end. Most are best kept on a leash or securely fenced.
Mixed Dogs, Dog Information for Mixed Dog breeds: Designer Dogs, Hybrid Dogs, and Mutt
Mixed dog breeds are cross breeds, they consist of hybrids, 'designer' dogs, and the mutt. This is a huge variety of dogs, including those with known parentage to those with unknown backgrounds. They come in all sizes, shapes, with all sorts of traits and characteristics. Mixed dogs will very often make exceptional and well rounded family pets.
Non-Sporting Dogs, Dog Information for Non-Sporting Dog Breeds That Serve as Companion Dogs
Non-Sporting Dog breeds are diverse in backgrounds. They were bred for many uses from hunting dogs, herding dogs and guard dogs, to affectionate lap dogs. This wide variety of dogs hail from all across the globe and includes small dog breeds and large. They also vary in coat, personality, and overall appearance from the northern dogs, the popular bulldogs, and the rather rare Tibetan Spaniel and Terrier, to only spotted breed dog, the Dalmatian.
Sporting Dogs, Dog Information for Hunting Dogs Trained to Be a Bird Dog or Gun Dogs
Sporting Dog breeds excel in field activities, with strong water and nature instincts. This group includes pointers, setters, retrievers, and spaniels. These dogs are the embodiment of what constitutes a good companion dog. They are loyal, friendly, active and affectionate. Many will fit well into an active family life and enjoy children. Most get along well with other pets, though there are a few with a strong prey instinct that can’t be trusted around small pets. They do need a good deal of exercise.
Terrier, Types of Terriers With Dog Care Tips and Dog Information on Terrier Breeds
Terrier dog breeds include the traditional terriers that were originally developed to hunt and kill vermin, dig out prey or burrow into dens. They are noted for peppiness and tenacity, but are not known to have a lot of tolerance for other animals, including other dogs. Other terriers include the bulldogs and terriers that were crossed with bull-baiting dogs, and used as fighting dogs.
Terriers require owners that can match their determined characters and high energy. Sizes range from small dog breeds to large dog breeds.
Toy Dogs, Information on Small Dog Breeds and Dog Care Tips for Miniature Dogs
Toy dog breeds, bred as house pets, have served as companions for hundreds, even thousands of years. A lot of small dog breeds were once the prize possessions of members of the ruling class, and many are a scaled down version of another breed. They make excellent house pets, and their small size makes them great for apartment living. Though small in stature, miniature dogs big in attitude and quite tough. They often have courage disproportionate to their size. They do require owners that can provide them with love, but also structure.
Working Dogs, Dog information for Large Dog Breeds Used as a Working Dog
Working dog breeds bred to watch over people, their property, and their livestock. They have been used to help guard estates and livestock, pull carts and sleds, as rescue dogs, and to serve in war. These are large and strong dogs. Those that were bred for human companionship tend to be gentle with friends and family. But they are protective and can be reserved with strangers. They can also be fierce when provoked. These dogs must be properly trained.
