Dogs are among the most diverse species on earth.
With over a hundred pure, mixed, and crossbreeds, you can be overwhelmed while searching for dogs to own for the first time.
But in this post, you will learn about the different types of dogs and get to know more about them.
Why You Should Know The Types Of Dogs
Dog raising is a complex process that can go on throughout the life of your dog.
Before you can carry it out successfully, adequate knowledge of the type of dog you want to bring to your family is important.
Let's assume you are charmed by the lively and independent nature of a Jack Russell Terrier and decides to adopt one.
Over time you may realise that your once intelligent small dog has chosen to use his cleverness to chew, dig and escape from your yard.
In order to prevent your dog from escaping, you may try to restrain him by putting him on a leash but only to find out that he has escaped again when freed.
If you're lucky, this behaviour can continue until you get a dog trainer who can help you out but in some cases, you may be frustrated and send the dog to a shelter if he hasn't got lost, stolen or knocked down by a moving vehicle.
However, this small and athletic Terrier wouldn't have made it to the shelter if you've known what type of dog he is and what he is capable of doing, hence, the need for this post.
Types Of Dogs
Let's begin with a simple definition of what is a dog.
Dog is a domestic animal belonging to the order Carnivora and family Canidae.
Since the beginning of domestication, dogs have been of immense benefits to humans for thousands of years, helping in herding, guarding, hunting, and other useful roles.
For them to serve us effectively, humans have developed different sets of dogs with the same behaviours, appearances, or other attributes that separate them from others.
This selective breeding has led to over three hundred breeds of domestic dogs.
To make it easier to understand the different dog breeds, some organisations that promote the interest of dogs have classified the different types of dogs into groups based on their roles or appearances.
What you should know is that this classification of dogs into different groups is not universal but depends on the kennel clubs.
Which means that each kennel club determines which breed it will assign to a given group.
Here, we will focus on the grouping done by Fédération Cynologique Internationale (World Canine Organisation) since this organisation oversees the activities of pedigree dogs worldwide
So, the different types of dogs are grouped by FCI into:
- Sheepdog and Cattledog
- Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledog
- Terriers
- Dachshund
- Spitz and Primitive types
- Scent hounds and related breeds
- Pointing dogs
- Retrievers - flushing dogs - water dogs
- Companion and Toy dogs
- Sighthounds
1. Sheepdog and Cattledog
When humans settled for agriculture, they were confronted with the problem of managing their herds of livestock.
In an attempt to find solutions to this pressing problem, they developed the Sheepdog and Cattledog to lead and guard their livestock against predators while in the field.
Are Sheepdog and Cattledog intelligent?
To carry out the roles of herding successfully, sheepdogs and cattle dogs must be intelligent enough to distinguish predators from the herd and at the same time avoid feeding on the flock.
So, these types of dogs are generally intelligent.
How big are sheepdog and cattle dog?
In order to bluff, chase and attack predators, the types of dogs in this group were bred to be medium to large size but you can also come across smaller breeds.
Do Sheepdog and Cattledog have a good temperament?
Although the types of dogs belonging to this group are no longer tending to sheep and cattle, they've retained their intelligence, size and strength.
This has enabled them to be good guard dogs, detectors, rescuers, and companions.
However, these types of dogs may occasionally display their herding instincts by being aggressive, domineering and stubborn.
Because of these, some of them do not always have good temperament unless they are socialized and trained to do so.
If you're interested in raising these types of dogs, it's advisable that you have experience in dog training, live in a home with a fence and start socializing your dog early if you have children and other animals in your household.
What are the examples of Sheepdog and Cattledog?
Sheepdog and Cattledog are also classified as herding dogs or working dogs by some kennel clubs.
The types of dogs in this group include the following:
Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Kelpie, Australian Shepherd, Akbash, Alabai, Beauceron, Belgian Shepherd, Bergamasco Shepherd, Berger Blanc Suisse, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bouvier des Flandres, Briard, Can de Chira, Can de Palleiro, Cão da Serra de Aires, Care Castellano Manchego, Care Leonés, Catahoula Leopard Dog, Catalan sheepdog, Chiribaya Dog, Collies, Croatian Shepherd, Cumberland Sheepdog, Dutch Shepherd, English Shepherd, Finnish Lapphund, Garafian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Great Pyrenee, Gaucho Sheepdog, Huntaway, Icelandic Sheepdog, Kangal Shepherd Dog, Kuvasz, Koolie, Komondor, Lancashire Heeler, Lapponian Herder, Magellan Sheepdog, Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog, McNab, Miniature Australian Shepherd, Mudi, New Zealand Herding Dog, Old English Sheepdog, Pastore Della Lessinia e del Lagorai, Pastor Mantiqueira, Picardy Shepherd, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Polish Tatra Sheepdog, Pyrenean Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Saint Bernard,
2. Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledog
Besides the problem of maintaining unruly livestock, ancient farmers also encountered wild animals that were harmful to their crops and farm animals.
In order to solve this problem, they developed highly versatile and protective breeds of dogs that were capable of fighting and hunting down these vermins.
This idea led to the development of the present-day Pinscher, Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle dogs.
Today, the types of dogs belonging to this group are good pets, guard and working dogs.
Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledog Temperament
The types of dogs in this group are territorial, protective, and independent.
They can also have a strong and stubborn personality.
But some of the puppies also have a playful and outgoing temperament that can endear you to them.
You need to give these puppies firm and consistent guidance because their temperament can be influenced by training, socialisation as well as hereditary.
Are Pinscher, Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dog Intelligent?
The type of dogs belonging to this group are above average in intelligence and can be inquisitive and creative.
Endeavour to socialise and train them early to bring out this intelligent nature in your dog.
How big are Pinscher, Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dog?
The sizes of the dog in this group range from small (10 to 12.inches), medium (17 to 20 inches), to large (25 to 30 inches) in both males and females.
What are the examples of Pinscher, Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dog?
The types of dogs in this group include:
Affenpinscher, Australian Pinscher, Dobermann, German Pinscher, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Schnauzer, Standard Schnauzer, Giant Schnauzer, Caucasian Shepherd, Rottweiler, Greater Swiss Mountain dog, Spanish Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff, Dog Argentino, Leonberger, Newfoundland, Tosa Inu, Russian black Terrier, English bulldog, Great Dane, Dogo Canario, Karst Shepherd Dog, Appenzell Cattle Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Dogue de Bordeaux, Bullmastiff, Broholmer, Danish-Swedish farm dog, Entlebuch cattle dog, Estrella mountain dog, Dutch Smoushound, Hovawart, Landseer, Mastino Napoletano, Pyrenean Mastiff, Boxer, Rafeiro do Alentejo, Shape, Fila Brasileiro, Majorca Mastiff.
3. Terriers
Terriers are types of dogs that were bred originally to dig while hunting for preys such as rats, moles, foxes, and badgers.
Today, most Terriers are excellent pets.
If you want to raise them, be determined to groom their wiry hairs, reduce their high energy level through exercise and train them on basic obedience.
How big are Terriers?
Terriers are of different sizes.
You can acquire a very small one such as the English Toy Terrier with a height of 10 to 20 inches or a large Terrier such as the Airedale Terrier with a height ranging from 22 to 24 inches in both males and females.
Terriers Temperament
Terriers are energetic, amusing and devoted dogs that may be difficult to train because of their willful nature.
Some of them can be aggressive towards other dogs and strangers while others can be friendly.
Generally, Terriers have good temperament.
What are examples of Terriers?
There are different types of dogs in the Terrier group but notable examples include:
Airedale Terrier, American Hairless Terrier, American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian silky Terrier, Australian Terrier, Border Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Fell Terrier, Hunt Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier.
4. Dachshunds
You can easily recognise Dachshund breeds by their long and muscular bodies and short legs.
The short legs help this type of dogs to dig into tunnels, scent and chase out animals living in burrows such as badgers.
How big are Dachshunds?
The size of Dachshund can range from miniature, standard to kaninchen (rabbit) size.
Dogs with these sizes can be ideal for those living in apartments.
Besides, Dachshunds can be very active and lively indoors and do well in homes lacking backyards.
Dachshund Temperament
Dachshunds are brave and independent dogs that you will be happy to own.
They have a lively, playful and courageous temperament which will make them to bond easily with you.
But they can be very stubborn and aggressive sometimes and bark very loud just like some big dogs.
Are Dachshunds intelligent?
Dachshunds are rated as dogs with average working and obedience intelligence and can obey commands up to 50% of the time.
What are examples of Dachshunds?
Dachshund can be longhaired, shorthaired or smooth.
The smooth Dachshund has shiny short coats that will require less money in grooming and maintenance.
As the name implies, longhaired Dachshund has slightly wavy hairs and come in different coat colours.
But Dachshunds with bushy beards and eyebrows are described as shorthaired or wirehaired because they have wiry, rough and thick short coats.
5. Spitz and Primitive types
The type of dogs belonging to this group are descendants of ancient breeds.
They still retain some wolf-life traits that are not common in other types of dogs.
It's common to see Spitz and Primitive types dogs having long and thick fur, pointed ears and longer muzzles and curled tails.
What are examples of Spitz and Primitive types?
There are many breeds of dogs that have attributes that qualify them to be in this group, namely:
Akita Inu, Basenji, Pharoah hound, Greenland dog, Podenco Ibicenco, Alaskan malamute, American Akita, German Spitz toy, Norwegian Lundehund, Russian-Europian Laika, Samoyed, Cirneco dell' Etna, Karelian bear dog, Peruvian hairless dog, Shiba Inu, Swedish Lapphund, West Siberian Laika, Chow chow, Icelandic sheepdog, Italian Volpino, Japanese Spitz, Canaan dog, Canarian Warren hound, Kishu-Inu, Eurasier, Finnish Spitz, Hokkaido, Shikoku, Siberian Husky, Kai.
6. Scenthounds and related breeds
Although dogs can sniff scents that an average human cannot, there are some types of dogs that are capable of using their sensitive noses to hunt, these are the scenthounds.
Many dog owners today prefer scenthounds and related breeds not because they want to use them for hunting, but to be able to search for strange objects around homes and gardens that would otherwise not be known to them.
These dogs are also employed by law enforcement agencies as detectors in airports, land borders, and crime scenes to help their personnel in searching for explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, blood and even contraband goods.
Do Scenthounds have a good temperament?
Scenthounds may seem independent but they have a gentle temperament and are capable of living peacefully with other animals in their homes.
Since they were originally bred to assist humans in hunting, scenthounds sometimes act as pack animals by being sociable with people and strangers.
How big are Scenthounds and related breeds?
Scenthounds are of various sizes.
Some are small and can easily adapt to apartment living while others come in medium and large sizes that can only do well in homes with fenced yard.
Are Scenthounds intelligent?
Scenthounds are sometimes trained to carry out different detection tasks simply because they have sensitive noses and are intelligent enough to sniff out different scents which some dogs may not be able to detect with great accuracy.
What are examples of Scenthounds?
The following dogs are regarded as scenthounds and related breeds:
Alpine Dachsbracke, Basset hound, Bavarian mountain scent hound, Beagle, Grand Basset griffon vendor, Norman Artesian Basset, Beagle harrier, Billy, Black and Tan Coonhound, Dalmatian, Montenegrin planinska hound, Drever, Dunker-Norwegian hound, Finnish hound, Foxhound, French white and orange hound, French tricolour hound, Halden hound, Hamiltonstövare, Hannoverscher Schweiss und, Blue Gascony griffon, Hygen hound, Istrian wire-haired hound, Segugio Italiano, Bloodhound, Harrier, Spanish hound, American Foxhound, Otterhound, Poitevin, Porcelaine, Schillerstövare, Smålansstövare.
7. Pointing Dogs
These types of dogs were originally developed to remain motionless, lower their heads, and point their noses towards any direction they capture the scent from the game the hunter is trailing. As they are doing this, their tails are also held at the same level with the back and head while one leg is raised and bent at the wrist thus directing the hunter to the location of the game.
Many pointing dogs living in various homes today are not used as gun dogs anymore.
They're now companions to many families.
Do Pointing dogs have a good temperament?
Even though Pointing dogs are not great guard dogs, they have a calm and independent temperament that makes them suitable for families with children and other pets.
What are examples of Pointing dogs?
The types of dogs belonging to the pointing dog group include:
Bourbonnais pointing dog, Burgos pointing dog, Picardy spaniel, Saint Germain pointer, Old Danish pointing dog, French pointing dog, Stabijhoun, English setter, Auvergne pointer, Bohemian wire-haired pointing griffon, Hungarian wire-haired pointer, Pudelpointer, English pointer, Gordon setter.
8. Retrievers - flushing dogs - water dogs
The types of dogs belonging to this group were originally bred to help hunters in recovering birds and bringing them without damages.
Even though most retrievers do not reclaim birds anymore for hunters, some of the dogs in this group are excellent and popular pets in many homes in different countries of the world.
Do Retrievers - Flushing dogs - Water dogs have a good temperament?
The dogs in this group are patient, trainable and willing to please their owners.
They have a very friendly temperament that makes them suitable for homes with children and other pets.
Because of their friendly nature, retrievers may not be able to act as excellent guard dogs in your home.
What are examples of Retrievers - Flushing dogs - Water dogs?
The following types of dogs belong to the retrievers group:
American cocker spaniel, English springer spaniel, Clumber spaniel, Curly coated retriever, Field spaniel, Flat-coated retriever, Chesapeake bay retriever, Irish water spaniel, Labrador retriever, German spaniel, Portuguese water dog, Sussex spaniel, Golden retriever, American water spaniel, Spanish water dog, Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, Frisian water dog, French water dog, Romagna water dog, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever.
9. Companion and Toy dogs
The types of dogs belonging to this group were specially bred to live with humans in their homes.
These breeds were not developed to act as working dogs but some of them can be helpful in guarding your home.
Most of the dogs in this group have an entertaining and decorative appearance which earn them the name, toy dogs.
When searching for any type of dog in this group to bring home, be aware that all companion dogs are not toy dogs but all toy dogs are companions dogs.
Are Companion and Toy dogs big?
Toy dogs are small in size but companion dogs can be small, medium or large in size.
Do Companion and Toy dogs have a good temperament?
Because of their roles as companions in homes, the types of dogs belonging to this group have gentle but fearless temperament.
Some of them can be quite friendly with people and other animals while others may not get along so easily with strangers and other pets in their homes.
However, if you expose the dogs in this group to strangers and other animals through early socialisation and training, they can be wonderful pets.
What are examples of Companion and Toy dogs?
The types of dogs that are grouped together as companion and Toy dogs include:
Brabancon, Griffon bruxellois, French bulldog, King Charles spaniel, Pug, Phalene, Shih-Tzu, Griffon Belge, Boston terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan terrier, Japanese-chin, Kromforhländer, Bichon Frise, Bolognese, Coton de Tulear, Havanese, Lhasa apso, Little lion dog, Maltese, Continental toy spaniel, Poodle, Russian toy, Chinese crested dog, Chihuahua, Kavalír King Charles spaniel, Pekingese, Papillon.
10. Sighthounds
Sighthounds are types of dogs that were bred to help humans in hunting by using their keen eyesight and high speed.
If you are looking for dogs that can run, Sighthounds will use their slender, athletic, streamlined shape and long legs to carry out the task successfully.
Do Sighthounds have a good temperament?
Sighthounds may have high energy levels but their docile and quiet temperament is second to none.
You can choose any Sighthound breeds if you are living in an apartment because they don't bark too much and can easily get along with strangers and other animals.
How big are Sighthounds?
Sighthounds are of different sizes, you can choose the large, medium or small size breed depending on your unique circumstances and living space.
Are Sighthounds intelligent?
Some breeds in the Sighthound group are intelligent and independent.
They are also sensitive and tend to react swiftly when they encounter tension in their homes.
What are examples of Sighthounds?
The following are types of dogs that belong in the Sighthound group:
Afghan hound, Polish greyhound, Hungarian greyhound, Azawakh, Borzoi, Irish wolfhound, Piccolo levriero Italiano, Saluki, Greyhound, Sinai Sloughi, Deerhound.
Conclusion
The friendly nature of some dogs can sometimes be deceiving.
You need to dig deeper and know more about the types of dogs you want to bring home to your family in order to avoid some problems that can lead to pet abandonment.
This guide will give you the general knowledge of what a dog in a given group can be like, but you still need to find out more about the individual breed you are interested in acquiring.
Working with your veterinarian and reputable breeders will add more value to the decision you will make and we advise you to do so.
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