As you may know, dog shows typically divide their furry contestants into breed groups. Ever wonder what those categorizations were all about? A Southern Lake County veterinarian goes over the AKC’s official groups below.

Sporting

The sporting group contains some very popular breeds, such as the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, and the Cocker Spaniel. Typically, these canines were bred to help hunters retrieve birds. As one might expect, many of them love to swim. Sporting breed dogs also tend to have thick coats, which helped them retrieve waterfowl from lakes and ponds. Some, such as the Labrador Retriever, even feature webbed paws!

Hound Group

Elvis may not have thought much of Hound dogs, but at our Southern Lake County vet clinic, we’re pretty fond of these loyal and curious pups. This group includes some of the world’s most renowned trackers, such as the Bloodhound, as well as sighthounds, such as Greyhounds.

Terrier Group

Terriers were also bred to assist with hunting, though they’re more suited to rooting out vermin than chasing game. As you may know, terriers have a particular affinity to digging! The Bull Terrier and Scottish Terrier are a few examples from the terrier group.

Working Group

Canines in the working group traditionally performed a variety of jobs, from pulling sleds to guarding livestock and homes. The working dog group includes guard dogs, like the Rottweiler, as well as the Boxer. 

Toy Group

The main characteristic that toy breeds have in common is their small size. Many of these adorable little guys were bred as companion animals. As one may expect, toy breeds make very lovable lapdogs. The Chihuahua, Pug, Shih-Tzu, Pomeranian, and Yorkie all belong to this group.

Herding Group

The herding group includes popular pets like the German Shepherd and Border Collie. Many herding dogs are remarkably intelligent, and love to please their owners. If your pet is a herding dog, you may even notice him trying to herd your family from time to time!

Non-Sporting Group

This group is basically a catch-all for pups that don’t fit into any of the other categories. Aside from a love of treats and belly rubs, these breeds don’t necessarily have much in common. Many popular pets, including the Dalmatian and Poodle, fall into this category.

Please contact us, your Southern Lake County vet clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!