Dog Breeds
Sporting Group
This group includes dogs who work for the hunter, by pointing (Pointers), setting (Setter), retrieving (Retriever), and the spaniel. They are always looking up for birds. The Sporting Group includes popular breeds such as the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and the English Springer Spaniel.
Hound Group
These are independent hunting dogs. They fit into two categories – sight and scent, although some hounds work in both ways. They are problem solvers. Popular hounds include the Beagle, Dachshund, Greyhound and Whippet.
Working Group
This group used to be larger, combining the herding breeds. As the word says, the dogs in this group are working dogs, draft or guard. They are used to working with the human as a team. Popular working breeds include the Boxer, Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher and the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Terrier Group
Most terrier breeds started in the barnyards of Briton. The name Terrier in latin means ‘going to ground’. They are independent and some are pugnacious. The group includes ratters, bull baiters and badger hunters. Popular Terrier breeds are the Jack Russell Terrier, the West Highland White Terrier, the Scottish Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier.
Toy Group
Although all domesticated dogs are companion animals, the members of the toy group are the stars. They are tiny, loving and some were designed to sit in ladies’ laps. Popular Toy breeds include the Toy Poodle, the Pekingese, the Yorkshire Terrier and the Chihuahua.
Non-Sporting Group
This is a leftover group of multi purpose dogs. Over the years these breeds may be moved to groups with defined functions. There is a great variety of breeds in the Non-Sporting group which include the Boston Terrier, the Bulldog, Poodles and Dalmations.
Herding Group
The herding group used to be part of the working group. All the breeds in this group come from a herding background and need human direction and encouragement. Because of the herding instinct, you may find heel nippers or a dog without direction spending the entire day herding the legs of the dining room table. Popular herding breeds include the German Shepherd Dog, Border Collie, Bouvier and Shetland Sheepdog.
Rare Breeds
The rare breeds group, features all dogs that are not yet recognized by CKC or are not yet categorized as one of the above specialties.
