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The purpose of dogs!

    Each breed of dogs was selectively bred with a specific purpose in mind!  Bloodhounds, for example were bred with the intention of tracking game for hunters.  Even Chihuahuas were bred for a purpose...companionship.  Dogs that showed a particular desirable trait, either physical or mental, were bred more frequently to increase that trait in the breed.  What does this mean for you and your dog?  Well, often, behaviors that occur everyday are a result of what your dog was bred to do. Understanding this can help you to find solutions to behavior problems or to find out what activity your breed is most suited for.

The American Kennel Club (AKC)

    The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the most well-known breed registry in the United States.  The AKC classifies dogs into 7 groups depending on their purpose or what they were bred for.

Sporting: Sporting breeds are those like Spaniels and Retrievers.  Most were bred to assist hunters in retrieving game.  They generally form a close bond with their owners/handlers and are often great family pets.  Breeds included in this group are Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers and so on. 

 

Hound:  Hounds were also bred to assist hunters, but these breeds were bred with intention of tracking game for hunters.  Sighthouds, such as Greyhounds, Afghan Hounds, and yes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks were bred to chase down game.  Scent hounds, such as Beagles, Bassett Hounds and Bloodhounds were bred to track game by scent.  These breeds tend to be a little more stubborn and independent as they often had to track game with very little instruction from their owner.  Breeds included in this group are Greyhounds, Bloodhounds, Beagles and even Dachshunds.

Working: Working breeds are what we typically think of as guard dogs, but these dogs were bred to work.  Many, like Burnese Mountain Dogs, were bred to pull carts for their owners.  Dobermans were bred for guarding and Malamutes were bred to pull sleighs.  Each breed in the working group was bred for endurance, strength and a great work ethic!  These dogs are often very loyal and even protective of their owners and form a very strong bond to them.  Other breeds included in this group are Rottweilers, Boxers, Mastiffs and Great Pyrenese.

Terriers:  Terriers were bred to hunt vermin, such as mice and rats.  They were bred follow vermin underground to kill it.  This is why many terrier owners find that their dogs dig incessantly and like to chase small, furry things.  Terriers are often very tenacious and persistent, and they needed to be to track rats underground!  Breeds included in the terrier group are Cairn Terriers, Westies, and Jack Russell Terriers.

Toy:  Breeds in this group were bred solely for companionship.  These were the dogs of royalty!  They are often very small and retain many physical puppy-like traits.  They thrive on attention and seem to live solely for their owners.  Chihuahuas, Pugs, Pomeranians, and Yorkies are all members of this group.

Non-Sporting:  The breeds in the Non-Sporting Group are a varied collection in terms of size, coat, personality and overall appearance.  Many of the breeds in this group also had specific jobs.  Dalmations for example, were bred to run under horse-drawn carts and protect both their owners and the cart from trouble, either human or animal.  These dogs are also very loyal and form strong bonds with their owners as they were bred to work very closely with them.  Other breeds included in this group are Bulldogs, Shiba Inus, and Chow Chows.

Herding: All breeds in this group share the ability to control the movement of other animals. A remarkable example is the low-set Corgi, perhaps one foot tall at the shoulders, that can drive a herd of cows many times its size to pasture by leaping and nipping at their heels.  These dogs are often very active and very intelligent and if they are not given an outlet for this energy, they find things to do!  Like herding the children in the family or shredding your favorite pair of shoes.  Herding breeds are not for the faint of heart!  Breeds included in this group are the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Australian Cattle Dog (also known as the Heeler) and Corgis.

Do You Have a Mixed Breed?

Even mixed breeds will still have a strong predisposition to many behavior characteristics from their parents.  Australian Sheperd mixes, for example, are still very active and like to herd things.  Huskies mixes still like to pull things, even owners on the leash.  Knowing the breeds that contributed to your special Heinz 57 can help you figure out why he or she does what she does and how to solve problems behaviors.  You have a Border Collie mix that likes to bite your ankles as you walk.  What is she doing?  She's herding you!  You have a Westie who loves to dig tunnels in your yard.  Why does he do this?  He's hunting vermin, at least in his mind!

For more information on specific breeds, check out http://www/akc.org

Also visit your local library or bookstore to find books and information on every dog breed imaginable.  Many breeds also have their own "Breed Club" devoted to that particular type of dog.  The AKC has a list of Breed Clubs or you can simply type  your breed into a search engine, such as Google or Yahoo, to find hundreds of pages of information dedicated to your favorite breed!

Do your dog's behaviors still bug you?  Need some extra help trying to figure out what to do?

Contact us for information on local trainers and behavior specialists!