Types of Dogs
The American Kennel Club (AKC), and the United Kennel Club (UKC) are the most widely used registries of pure bred dogs
in the United States. These organizations classify dogs based on the purpose for which each breed was developed. There are
seven categories used by the AKC and eight by the UKC that describe over 150 breeds of dogs. I’ve combined the AKC and
UKC classes and added 2 more below. At least 150 more breeds are recognized worldwide and can be classified in the same manner.
Classifying dogs by breed purpose is a sound method for evaluating potential behavior. Mixed breeds can be classified with
the breed or breeds they most resemble. Even though every dog is an individual and will be affected by early environment and
training, if you truly want a retriever or hunting dog, it is important to start with a breed that has generations of expertise
bred into him. Training will accentuate what comes naturally. You can also choose a mixed breed that has the physical characteristics
common to the group of dogs you prefer, such as hanging ears and a round medium snout for a hunting dog. If you aren’t
particular about specific training, choose a dog likely to adapt best to your family routine in energy level, size, and grooming
needs.
Dog classifications and breeds
GROUP I: Hounds (AKC)
SightHounds (UKC). Dogs bred to hunt by sight (Greyhounds, Whippets) are fast runners and enjoy chasing small animals though
they are usually quiet when indoors. They were bred to work without direct supervision so they are comfortable spending time
alone. They are often aloof with strangers. They are long legged with a deep chest, long noses and small ears. Most have short
hair except the Afghan that has long silky hair that requires considerable grooming.
Scenthounds (UKC). Dogs bred to hunt by scent (Beagles, Bassets, Coonhounds) enjoy trailing and chasing prey and are vocal
about it. They were bred to live in groups so tend to get along well with other animals. They come in all sizes and have long
ears. Most have short or wiry coats that require minimum care.
GROUP II: Sporting Dogs (AKC), Gun Dogs (UKC)
Sporting dogs (pointers, setters, spaniels) were bred to retrieve, swim and work all day with a hunter or farmer so they
prefer to have company most of the time. They also have enough energy to go jogging and camping. If not kept active they can
become overweight. They like to carry things in their mouths. They come in all sizes with long, hanging ears. Many have their
tails surgically shortened, called "docked" tails. They come in all coats including straight and short, wiry or long and silky.
GROUP III: Terriers (AKC, UKC)
Terriers (Scotties, Airedales, Bedlingtons) were bred to cleverly discover the hiding places of their prey--rodents. They
are fearless and persistent and like to dig. Their pluckiness sometimes gets them into trouble with larger dogs. They come
in all sizes. Most have wiry coats and short upright ears. Some have surgically shortened ears, called "cropped" ears, in
addition to docked tails.
Group IV: Working Dogs (AKC)
Guard Dogs (UKC) Guard dogs (Mastiffs, Dobermans, Beaucerons) are bred to work alone protecting territory or work with
law enforcement officers apprehending criminals. Guard dogs are suspicious of anything or anyone unfamiliar to them. These
breeds usually form a close bond with one or two people although they can be very trustworthy guardians of children if raised
with them. Rescue dogs (Newfoundlands, St. Bernards) are also bred to find lost people. Rescue dogs are much more trusting
of strangers than Guard dogs. These dogs are all large and come in all coat types, some with cropped ears and docked tails.
Northern Dogs (UKC) The Northern dogs (Huskies, Samoyed, Spitz) are also working dogs but are not as territorial as guard
dogs. They also show very low levels of aggression toward strangers. They can be more predatory toward small animals than
other breeds and are comfortable spending time alone. In fact, Northern dogs often take off on their own if allowed to escape.
They usually have a double coat with straight hair over a fluffy undercoat that sheds twice each year. Most northern breeds
have upright ears and curled fluffy tails.
GROUP V: Herding Dogs (AKC, UKC)
Livestock Drivers (PBC) These dogs (collies, shepherds) were bred to help farmers move herds of livestock. They do so by
chasing, bumping into and nipping at the members of the herd that stray or lag. They are always alert and will be bored without
interesting training. These dogs prefer to have company of other animals at all times. They have upright ears and some are
born with no tails.
Livestock Guards (PBC) These dogs (Great Pyrenees, Pulik, Komondor) are independent and can be suspicious or aloof with
strangers. They are bred to protect herds of animals from predatory wildlife such as coyotes and wolves. Breeders often take
puppies at a very young age and raise them with the herd of animals they will live with. These are all large dogs that are
comfortable resting with the herd all day and traveling distances over long periods of time. Many of these breeds have unusually
long coats.
GROUP VI: Companion Dogs (UKC)
Toy (AKC) These dogs (Maltese, Shih Tsu, Chihuahua) were bred to be pampered companions. Those with long coats need extra
grooming care. They are very intelligent and sensitive and quickly communicate their wishes to their caretakers, sometimes
becoming demanding. They enjoy attention and will learn any tasks that earns it. The toy breeds are small, come in all coat
types, and some have docked tails.
Non Sporting (AKC) All dogs whose original purpose is outdated are classified here. American Eskimo Dogs are also classified
in this distinction primarily because of their high energy, easily trained, acrobatics for when the circus came into town. Dalmatians
were bred to keep carriage horses company, Chow Chows to guard palaces (they also were used as a source of food, so forgive
them if they are a little suspicious of strangers) and Bull dogs to catch and hold animals for a butcher or farmer.
Pariah or Feral Dogs (PBC): The UKC recognizes some of these breeds (Carolina, Canaan, New Guinea Singing)) as sight hounds.
These dogs developed around human settlements for centuries and are now considered purebreds. These dogs developed without
direct selective breeding by people and are truly multifunctioning dogs similar to the feral Dingo of Australia. Most of them
have short to medium coats, upright ears, and are various shades of reddish brown, black or white.
Fighting Dogs (PBC): A new group of dogs (Dogos, Canary Island, Tosa Inu) gaining popularity are dogs bred to fight with
other animals. The smaller fighters are terriers mixed with bulldogs..terrier for agility and bully breeds for tenacity and
loyalty.
Pit dogs in the past were bred to be aggressive to other dogs or animals but easily handled by people. Since dog fighting
has become illegal in the US and United Kingdom, many breeders of these dogs are operating outside the law. Some criminals
are interested in creating a dog that will be aggressive to people by breeding a bull and terrier dog with mastiffs to create
a larger dog that is wary of strangers. Some of these dogs are used in other countries to hunt large predatory animals such
as cougars or to track escaped prisoners. Due to their size, they pose a problem for animal shelters and animal control agencies
but they are not pit bulls. See Pit Bull pate for more on this common confusion.
Discover the purpose of the breed you are considering to determine if the breed is right for you.
Pit Bulls
There is no specific breed of dog called a "pit bull". The term refers to a group of dogs developed a for competitive dog
fighting. Fighting Mastiffs were described by Caesar after his invasion of Britain in 55 BC and various types were developed
in ancient Rome, China and Japan. As long as humans have raised dogs, we have raised protection and fighting dogs. The breeds
include bull dogs, terriers and mastiffs. Bull dogs were developed as "catch dogs", dogs used to hold animals for a hunter
or butcher to prepare food. Terriers were developed to find and kill vermin and fur bearing animals for hunters and property
owners. Mastiffs were developed to protect property and warn off poachers. Eventually, "catch dogs" were no longer useful
and bull dogs were routinely crossed with terriers to develop a family pet that would also be agile and tough enough to be
protective without being too large.
Throughout human history, animals (including humans) were pitted against each other in spectator sports. Dogs were pitted
against bears or bulls, horses against each other. These contests were brutal and eventually made illegal around 1853 (in
England). In some US states it's a felony. However, people continue to get together for "my dog is better than your dog" contests.
Spectators trainers and owners bet on the outcome of fights. Trainers select dogs for breeding that fight without turning
on handlers so that a dog that is injured can be rescued. Trainers also select pain tolerant dogs that are willing to go after
all other dogs-even when the other dog is signaling a desire to make peace. Some terriers are still encouraged to "spar" or
square off with other dogs (from a distance) at AKC dog shows. Currently, most fighting dogs are developed by crossing the
bull and terrier breeds with large, protective mastiffs. Fighting breeds are still valued as pets for their loyalty and tenacity
much as herding dogs are valued for their intelligence and sporting dogs for their energy. Of course, some of the fighting
breeds, such as the English Bulldog, have been altered so greatly since their fighting days they can no longer be considered
working dogs. A few of the fighting breeds that are still agile and have the endurance for competition perform in weight pulling
contests or obedience and protection trials.
Unfortunately, large aggressive dogs are in demand by criminals seeking an extension of their own machismo as well as to
protect stolen property or contraband. Unfortunately, many breeders still engage in dog fighting regardless of its cruelty
and the legal restrictions against it. Thus the group of fighting dogs has acquired a bad reputation because of its association
with crime.
Fighting dogs as a group received media attention in the 1990's similar to German Shepherd Dogs in the 50's and Doberman
Pinscher's in the 70's. Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers still evoke fear in the general
public. Several myths about the these dogs persist such as the belief that a dog's jaw "locks" onto a victim or that the jaw
pressure of one breed is greater than another's. As a group, fighting and guard dogs are energetic, loyal and willing to please.
They are not very reactive to pain and enjoy rough play. These dogs are large and muscular and can be difficult to control
as adults if they are not trained to respond to their owner's commands. Guarding dogs all have large heads and jaws. Dog bites
from larger breeds are more severe than bites from smaller dogs because of the size of the injuries and the dog's ability
to knock a person down during an attack. However, large dogs DO NOT ATTACK MORE OFTEN THAN SMALL DOGS. A large dog attack
is just more injurious.
It is important to note that dog attacks are exceedingly rare. Thousands of times greater numbers of people are injured
by guns, accidents and fire than have ever been attacked by dogs. Many times more children are killed by their caretakers
in a year than have ever been killed by dog attacks. However, dog bites are a serious health problem. Purebred and mixed breed
dogs bite people every year. However, the dogs most often responsible for severe bites to humans, especially children, in
the US are Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds and mixes of these breeds. These breeds are the most commonly owned dogs
according to AKC registrations and dog licensing records. Increased popularity of guarding and fighting dogs measured by AKC
registration, indicates that these dogs are becoming the most commonly owned breeds. So it is likely that they will soon be
responsible for most bites, simply because there are so many of them.
Media reports lead the public to believe that packs of roaming Pit Bulls are more likely to bite than the neighborhood
dog on his leash. Over 80% of dog bites occur when the dog is with his owner or ON his owner's property. A large number of
small children are bitten by dogs they know while visiting the dog's home. Because stories of Pit Bulls stimulate fear, the
media is likely to report all cases of biting pit dogs or pit mixes but not stories of injury by poodles and spaniels (which
used to be the most frequently reported bites). In addition, the media reports "attacks" when a guarding breed barks at or
chases someone even when no one is injured. This adds to the public perception that this type of dog is more dangerous than
any other dog. Some statistics lump several breeds into one category and report that "Pit Bulls" cause more serious bites
than any other breed. This would be similar to counting all the bites inflicted by Retrievers (Goldens, Duck Tolling, Flat
Coats, Labradors, Chesapeake Bays...) and comparing that total to bites inflicted by Miniature Wirehaired Daschunds. It would
appear that Retrievers are much more dangerous than Daschunds. But are Flat Coated Retrievers more dangerous than Mini Wirehaired
Daschunds?
Some of the current confusion about pit breeds resulted from the UKC registering the American (Pit) Bull Terrier in 1868
and the AKC registering the same dogs as the (American) Staffordshire Terrier in 1935. Meanwhile, two completely different
breeds, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the Bull Terrier, were registered by the Kennel Club in the UK. Other Kennel Clubs
that register fighting breeds are the American Dog Breeders Association (especially the American (Pit) Bull Terrier and the
Animal Research Foundation (especially the American Bulldog).
When groups of dogs are labeled as unsafe by the press, families and pets are harmed. Dogs are turned in to shelters by
frightened owners. Animal shelters have a difficult time finding new homes for the dogs because they are not willing to place
the dogs with people looking for "guard" or "protection" dogs. Governments start banning pet owners from keeping dogs and
insurance companies are afraid to offer home owners' policies to people who keep large dogs. :aw Suits abound and no jury
pool of people that have not been convinced of the danger of various breeds is possible. Breed bans are difficult to enforce
because criminals disregard the law. Dogs can't be DNA tested for breed. Even more difficult to control are mixed breeds.
A harmful side effect of breed bans is an endless supply of "new" breeds. The chart below outlines a number of fighting and
guard dogs, most of which are not regulated because they are constantly changing. Animal Protection Agencies (AHA, HSUS, Animal
Control) prefer legal restrictions on people who train or use animals as weapons or cruelly treat or neglect any animals.
"Petey" of the Lil Rascals was an American Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Terrier (during the brief period where the breed
was one) and a movie star. I know an American (Pit) Bull Terrier who pulled her owner from under a tractor and lost her own
leg in the process. I don't think everyone should run out and adopt a large tough dog. These dogs are a handful. They are
full of life and energy and need adequate training. But the best weapon against fear is knowledge. Unfortunately, until dog
bite actuarial tables are popular reading, dogs labeled Pit Bulls will have a difficult time finding responsible and caring
owners and families will have trouble keeping their pets. Law enforcement agencies will find it difficult to keep irresponsible
people from owning large dogs even if bans are in place and bans will encourage importing of larger, more aggressive dogs.
The "Pit Bull" Group includes: (parentheses include breed names that are interchangeable)
- Extinct Breeds
- Alaunt (3 types, ancient breed for fighting, hunting and guarding.) Molossus (Coliseum Dogs, used for spectator sports)
Spanish Pointer and Spanish Alano (believed to be predecessors of guard dogs) White Terrier (believed to be a predecessor
of many bull and terrier dogs)
- Mastiffs (Guard Dogs used for catching and holding poachers)
- Neapolitan Mastiff (also called Italian Mastiff), Dogue de Bordeaux and larger Doguin de Bordeaux (French Mastiffs), Fila
Brasilario (Brazilian Mastiff), Dogo Argentina (Argentinian Mastiff), Presa Canario (Canary Island Dog), Cane Corso
- Bull Dogs (some too small for guard work)
- English Bulldog , French Bulldog, Boxer, Alapahoola Blue Blood (Hog herding dog), American Bulldog (recreation of old
style Bulldog for agility), Olde Bulldogge (also a recreation of the old style bulldog for guarding work), Victorian Bulldog
- Bull and Terrier Dogs
- Boston Terrier (very small), American (Pit) Bull Terrier (Registered by UKC), (English) Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier,
(American) Staffordshire Terrier (AKC), (English) Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Fighting Dogs
- Chinese Shar Pei (Chinese Fighting Dog, became almost extinct when western fighting dogs entered China but brought back
to popularity as a pet because of it's unusual wrinkled skin.), Chow Chow ( used for guarding and as food), Akita (Japanese
Fighting Dog), Tosa Inu (Japanese Mastiff)
- Crosses of above
- (Swinford) Bandog (American Mastiff) cross between male American (Pit) Bull Terrier and female Neapolitan.
