Dog Breeds, Groups & Varieties

Cute golden retriever puppies, from GettyImages

There are six major groups of standard dog breeds that has existed through time and domestication: the Sporting Group, the Hound Group, the Working Group, the Terrier Group, the Toy Group, and the
Non-Sporting Group.

The SPORTING GROUP is made up of more than twenty gun dogs; chiefamong them are the Setters, Retrievers, Pointers and sporting Spaniels.
Breeds: Irish setter, English setter, Gordon setter, Chesapeake Bay retriever, Labrador retriever, Golden retriever, Flat-coated retriever, Curly-coated retriever, German Short-haired pointer, Wire-haired pointing griffon, Cocker spaniel, English Cocker spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Irish Water spaniel, Sussex spaniel, Welsh Springer spaniel, American Water spaniel, Brittany spaniel, Clumber spaniel, Weimaraner

The HOUND GROUP is classified as sporting dogs gifted with a keen sense of smell and therefore accustomed to hunting and trailing. Some of the dogs work entirely with a combination of sight and scent. An easy indication would be the “hound” affixed to their breed names.
Breeds: Dachshund, Grayhound, Beagle, Basset hound, American foxhound, English foxhound, Afghan hound, Black and tan coonhound, Harrier, Bloodhound, Basenji, Whippet, Saluki, Borzoi, Irish wolfhound, Otterhound, Norwegian elkhound

The WORKING GROUP is one of the oldest breeds of dogs. This includes nearly thirty breeds that were developed for specific working purposes, such as herding, guardianship of livestock and police work.
Characteristic qualities are that they are generally large in size, fast, reserved, and noted for their quiet courage.
Breeds: Collie, German shepherd, St. Bernard, Doberman pinscher, Boxer, Rottweiler, Great Dane, Shetland sheepdog, Old English sheepdog, Siberian husky, Mastiff, Giant Schnauzer, Briard, Pembroke Welsh corgi,  Komondor, Pulik, Belgian sheepdog, Bull mastiff, Cardigan Welsh corgi, Alaskan Malemute, Samoyede, Standard Schnauzer, Bouvier de Flandres, Bernese Mountain Dog, Newfoundland, Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz

The TERRIER GROUP consists of more than twenty breeds. As their name indicates, terrier means “inhabiting the earth”. They originated in the British Isles where they were developed for specific hunting purposes and as aides to larger sporting dogs. Characteristically they are fast in mind and body.
Breeds: Airedale terrier, Irish terrier, Welsh terrier, Lakeland terrier, Border terrier, Norwich terrier, Smooth fox terrier, Bedlington terrier, White Bull terrier, Colored Bull terrier, Staffordshire terrier, Manchester terrier, Miniature schnauzer, Wire-haired fox terrier, Kerry Blue terrier, Scottish terrier, Cairn terrier, Sealyham terrier, West Highland White terrier, Lhasa Apsos terrier, Skye terrier, Dandie Dinmont terrier

The TOY GROUP takes in some sixteen breeds developed in many parts of the world primarily as pets. Noted for its small size, they are agile and nevertheless functional too.
Breeds: Pekingese, Pomeranian, Maltese, Yorkshire terrier, Toy poodle, Pug, Miniature pinscher, Chihuahua, Papillon, Japanese spaniel, English Toy spaniel, Brussels griffon, Affenpinscher, Toy Manchester terrier, Italian greyhound, Mexican hairless

The NON-SPORTING GROUP — while this is its original classification is a misnomer for some have valuable abilities in working and hunting — are generally classed as companions. There are eight distinct breeds
in this group.
Breeds: Poodle (standard and miniature), Boston terrier, Bulldog, Dalmatian, Chow chow, French bulldog, Keeshond, Schipperke