Dog breed groups
All dog breeds belong to a breed group, either due to a shared history or a common working purpose. These groups can help prospective owners understand which type of dog might be the best fit for them, or simply help you learn more about a specific breed group you didn't know about!
Herding, Cattle and Sheep DogsIn this group, you'll find breeds originally used for herding or guarding sheep and cattle on farms. Examples include the Collie, Old English Sheepdog, Corgi, German Shepherd, and Border Collie. Many of these breeds are now used as working dogs by police and military forces, and are also popular family pets. Some owners still use them for their original herding duties.
Guard and Livestock DogsThis group includes a wide variety of breeds, such as the Affenpinscher, Great Dane, Dobermann, Mastiff, and Miniature Schnauzer. Many of these breeds were, and still are in some places, used as guard dogs, livestock drivers, and in police work.
Terriers for HuntingA large proportion of breeds in the hunting terrier group originated in the UK and were originally used for various types of hunting. Some examples are Border Terriers, Bull Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Jack Russell Terriers. While some breeds are still used for hunting, particularly for burrowing animals, most are now popular companions and competition dogs.
DachshundsOriginally bred as hunting dogs, Dachshunds come in three different sizes. The larger varieties are still widely used for hunting burrowing animals and for tracking hoofed game. Originating in Germany, the breed is said to have developed from low-legged German hounds. The Dachshund, also known as 'Teckel', has been recognised since the Middle Ages, when specialised dogs were continuously bred for hunting.
Spitz and Primitive BreedsThis is a very large group that can be split into several subgroups. It includes Arctic Spitz breeds and Nordic hunting Spitz breeds used for hunting elk, bear, and forest birds. The group also features so-called primitive dogs and dogs of a primeval type. This means they are genetically closer to their wild ancestors than other breed groups. These breeds can have a wilder nature and are often more self-reliant.
Hunting, Tracking and Scent HoundsThis group primarily consists of scent hounds, along with a few tracking and scent hounds such as the Beagle, Basset Hound, Foxhound, and Petit Bleu de Gascogne. Many of these breeds originated in the UK, France, and Switzerland. Most are excellent hunting dogs and, depending on their size, are still used today for hunting hares, foxes, and deer, for example.
Pointing and Setting GundogsPointing and setting gundogsinclude breeds like the English and Continental pointers. These are hunting dogs that detect birds by scent and indicate their location to the hunter. Some examples include the Breton, English Setter, Pointer, and French Spaniel. While most are still used for bird hunting, many have also become popular companion dogs.
Flushing Dogs, Retrievers and Companion DogsMany breeds in this group were originally used as flushing spaniels, working to drive birds out for the hunter. This group also includes some of our most common companion dogs, such as the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and Springer Spaniel.
Companion DogsIn the companion dog group, you'll find breeds that have been developed for companionship over a very long time. These breeds originate from many different countries (e.g., Italy, Asia, France, Russia) and, with few exceptions, are small and very sociable. Some breeds in this group include the Pug, Papillon, Pekingese, Tibetan Spaniel, and Russian Toy.
SighthoundsThe Sighthound groupis small and relatively homogeneous, consisting of various types of Greyhounds – slender and fast hunting dogs. Originally, these breeds were used for hunting, where the dogs would pursue prey alone or in packs. Nowadays, some breeds are used for dog racing, but most are purely companion dogs.
