The Importance of Breed
Different breeds of dog have very different characteristics and behaviour patterns, which can be traced back to the original roles each was bred to do. So looking at the breed groups and their purpose can give clues as to some of the characteristics both physical and behavioural that can be expected from dogs within that group, breeds within the group also differ due to the suppression or enhancement of behavioural and physical traits to enable different breeds to carry out different tasks within the same group.
Wild canines use the whole prey sequence in order to survive with a prey drive that follows an inevitable sequence being complete and balanced : search, the eye-stalk, the chase, the grab bite, and the kill bite.
In different breeds of dog certain steps have been amplified or reduced by selective breeding for various purposes. With crossbreds the dog may display a mixture of their ancestors traits, therefore this should be taken into account and where ever possible, if known both parents breeds should be researched. Obviously individual dogs within both a breed and group will have their own personalities but examining the breed purpose can give a good idea as to its suitability to a particular home.
All pedigree dogs are divided in to breed groups :
Hound Group
Hounds are hunting dogs, The primitive drive to seek out or capture game has been retained, harnessed and shaped to assist us. There are several types of hunting dogs developed for various tasks in all shapes and sizes. Bred to locate their quarry either through scent for instance the Basset Hound,, Dachshund and Blood hound. Most of these breeds have long, drooping ears. One theory says that this trait helps to collect scent from the air and keep it near the dog's face and nose. Also having large nasal cavities, better for processing scent. Their typically loose, moist lips are said to assist in trapping scent particles.
The sight hound for example, the Greyhound, Afghan Hound and Saluki primarily hunt by speed and sight. They specialize in pursuing prey, keeping it in sight, and overpowering it by their great speed and agility also being able to quickly detect motion, so they have keen vision. Sight hounds have a very flexible back and long legs for a long stride, a deep chest to support an unusually (compared to other dogs) large heart, very efficient lungs , and a lean, wiry body and a light, lean head, which is referred to as being dolichocephalic in its proportions and is related to the need for stereoscopic vision in active hunting.
Scent hounds do not need to be as fast as sight hounds as they do not need to keep prey in sight, but they need endurance so that they can stick with a scent and follow it for long distances over rough terrain.
The way Hounds hunt is the key to their likely character and typical behaviour, Hound breeds can often appear dignified and aloof but are faithful loyal companions. Sight hounds tend to work in short bursts so do not require huge amounts of exercise however as pets care should be taken if the household has other small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and cats as sudden movements from these can easily trigger the strong hunting instinct . Equally with scent hounds recall can be a problem as they are easily distracted by an interesting smell.
The Lurcher is a hardy crossbred sight hound that is generally a cross between a sight hound and most often a pastoral dog or Terrier.Temperament will vary somewhat depending on the type of cross. Many Lurchers have temperaments that are very similar to purebred sight hounds like the Greyhound, but some have temperaments that are influenced by other breeds like herding breeds and terrier breeds.
Gundog Group
There are 34 different registered breeds of Gundog in the UK. They were bred to be hunting companions to find, flush out and fetch game for their owners. The breed group includes: Spaniels, Retrievers, and Setters.
Different Gundogs each have a specific working role. Setters would search for birds, freezing when a bird was found. Spaniels would flush out the birds to be shot, and Retrievers retrieved the game. Hunt, point and retrieve breeds, such as the Munsterlander, were then developed to do all three jobs, the 'multi-taskers' of the Gundog world. As were the Weimaraner which was originally used for hunting, tracking, and bringing down big game. They were popular in German courts for their speed, athleticism, sense of smell, courage and stamina. Because they have webbed feet Weimaraners are fine swimmers, and as big game became scarce in Germany the dog was put to use retrieving downed waterfowl from lakes and streams.
The Gundog characteristics both physical and behavioural whilst working are consistent with selective breeding for neoteny ( the retention of juvenile traits into adulthood) with most gundogs having large eyes and the low set floppy ears, and hunting behaviours associated with juvenile wolves who participate in the hunt with their pack but do not make the actual kill. This juvenile demeanour makes them popular family pets and the Labrador retriever is consistently amongst the top three Breeds of dog registered each year with the UK Kennel Club.
Terrier Group
As the bite- kill is muted in herding breeds through selective breeding, with terrier breeds this part of the prey sequence is desired.
“Terrier” coming from the Latin word “Terra”, meaning earth. Used for hunting vermin, badgers and foxes etc above and below ground.
The Kennel club calls this group a hardy collection of dogs which were selectively bred to be extremely brave and tough. The terrier group is made up of 26 different breeds.
Dogs of terrier type are said to date back as far as the Middle Ages. It is commonly believed that the British Isles are the origin of most terriers.
Terriers can differ greatly in size and looks from the Yorkshire Terrier which was bred as a ratter due to its small stature, weighting in the region of seven pound, allowing it to catch and kill vermin in small places. Also used for sport and placed in a pit of rats and which ever terrier killed the most rats in the least time was considered the winner and bets were placed.
The Staffordshire bull terrier with its muscular body and deep skull, smooth short coat weighting between 13 -17kg and standing 35-41 centimetres to the shoulder developed after bull baiting was outlawed in 1835 making them the perfect combatant for staged dog fights.
Bedlington terrier looking like a docile little lamb with its poodle - like coat and a pear shaped head but despite the fragile appearance having a working history of hunting rats, rabbits, otters, polecats, foxes and badgers. Also used in dog fighting. It is suggested that the Dandie Dinmont was also involved along with the whippet to create the Bedlington. The Dandie Dinmont with it’s silken topknot and it’s crisp double coat firstly used for hunting vermin but later extended it’s activities to include rabbits, otters and badgers.
The Airedale terrier is the larges of all terriers standing around 60 centimetres for dogs with bitches being slightly less with a hard, dense wiry coat , with it’s primary function to hunt otter but soon became a multi purpose terrier employed as a duck catcher, ratter, deer tracker, guard dog army messenger dog and unfortunately again dog fighting.
The group is diverse in its size, coat colouring, and length, body shape and head shape, the most distinctive perhaps being the English Bull Terrier often referred to as a “hammer head” however they all share the strong willed and fearless nature which is typical of the Terrier breeds.
The over riding similarities of the terrier group is their tenacity, whether that be pitted against rats in a bid to prevent grain from being eaten in the farm yard, or the “sport” of watching two dogs fight . Nature and nurture are of equal importance, with the deeply rooted instinct of years gone by. Dog aggression especially with other dogs of the same sex, is a trait often shared by the terriers used in pit fighting including the Staffordshire bull terrier, English Bull Terrier and the American pit bull terrier. Equally the Jack Russell Terrier may not be best suited living in a household of pet rats.
Utility Group
The Utility group is a mixed bag of breeds that don't really fit into the other pedigree groups. Utility dogs range from the small, glamorous Shih Tzu to the large Japanese Akita and from the curly haired Poodle to the bald Mexican Hairless: There are no set traits amongst Utility dogs - exercise, grooming and training requirements vary greatly. The Shih Tzu is quite happy to potter round the garden. The Poodle is a smart, active breed that does well in the canine sports, but you wouldn't catch a Bulldog doing flyball! Within this group further research of the breed would be required for example The Dalmatian, best known for it‘s spots either black or liver coloured on a ground colour of pure white. Bred to run for hours under or along side a coach most Dalmatians do not tire easily. This means that behaviourally the Dalmatian is an active and energetic dog, moderately territorial by nature they are also intelligent and very family oriented and as such require lots of exercise and mental stimulation, or they could suffer behavioural problems such as separation anxiety, excessive barking and destructive behaviour when left alone. The Lhasa Apso on the other hand requires little exercise but considerable grooming.
Working Group.
The Working group were originally bred for a wide range of jobs to help their owners’
The Dobermann was bred to guard its tax-collecting owner Louis Dobermann, Siberian Huskies were sled dogs for the Chuckchi Arctic tribe, St Bernard’s rescued lost travellers across the Swiss Alps, the Great Dane was originally bred to hunt packs of wild boar, and the Newfoundland, a fisherman's dog, was taught to look after the nets in the water. And to rescue people and objects lost overboard. They are generally large (the smallest being the German Pinscher being between 43-48 centimetres to the withers) though some, such as the Great Dane stand 76 centimetres with the bitches slightly smaller at 71 centimetres, weighting between 46-54kg and the St Bernard are real giants weighting between 73 - 117kg. Because of their working ancestry they are likely to have strong bonds with their owners.
Pastoral Group
The Pastoral Group comprises of breeds that for centuries have aided man in controlling the movement of flocks and herds also referring to guardian type dogs who’s job was to offer protection to Shepard and livestock. The eye-stalk is a strong component of the behaviours used by herding dogs with the sequence not being followed through to the kill-bite.
Dogs within a certain “group” may differ greatly in appearance for instance, The Pyrenean Mountain dog being a quietly confident natural guard dog. One of the largest breeds within the group with males standing approximately 68 centimetres to the shoulder weighting around 50kg and bitches 63 centimetres to the shoulder weighting 40kg. The Welsh Corgi (Cardigan), standing thirty centimetres, weighting around 10kg with it‘s picked ears and medium length coat. The Briard standing sixty one to sixty nine centimetres, with it’s long wavy coat and the Hungarian Puli standing forty to forty four centimetres with it’s corded coat resembling dreadlocks. Although the breeds may differ in appearance and also in the way they work. Looking at the group shows many behavioural similarities.
The Australian Cattle dog for instance is know as a “heeler” as it nips at the heels of the livestock. With their job being to push the animals forward. The Corgi too, nips at heels working from behind in semi circles rather than running around the livestock. Being a bold little dog quite prepared to bite the nose of an approaching subordinate cow causing it to rejoin the herd.
The Border Collie in contrast is known as a “header” and gets in front of the animal and use what is called a “strong eye” to stare down the animals. Their job is to keep the livestock in a group and constantly move around the herd to turn or to stop the animals movement.
The Australian Kelpie uses both these methods also running along the backs of sheep and are therefore said to head, heel and back.
Most share physical characteristics, one being that being that Pastoral breeds have had to work in all weathers and have grown a double, waterproof coat to give protection from the elements. Members of this group use tactics of hunter and prey to intimidate and keep control of herds and flocks with their natural instinct to bring down an animal muted by training.
Pastoral breeds are also renowned for their intelligence but may not always be the easiest to train and handle, being a highly active group that do not always do well without a job to do. Which when left unfulfilled mentally and physically may start to make their own entertainment possibly leading to behavioural problems including excessive barking, destructive behaviour, rounding up children bicycles, cars or joggers or even nipping at strangers heels.
Toy Group.
Breeds within this group were predominantly companions, bred to be small so they could be carried by elegant ladies and fit easily on a lap. They were often highly prized and became a symbol of royalty and wealth, and because of these connections, their popularity grew, as companions and more recently fashionable accessories. They have been neotenised to look like cute puppies well into adulthood which compels owners to nurture them. Included within this group is the Chihuahua weighting between 1.8- 2.7kg requiring little exercise and grooming if short coated. The Italian Greyhound weighting between 3.6-4.5kg again needing minimal grooming and moderate exercise and the Maltese requiring considerable grooming, minimal exercise and weighting between 3-4kg.
They are intelligent companions, should have friendly personalities and love attention however owners should be discretionary with their attention as spoiled dogs can become protective of their owners, develop separation anxiety or obsessive barking.
The Kennel Club
Different breeds of dog have very different characteristics and behaviour patterns, which can be traced back to the original roles each was bred to do. So looking at the breed groups and their purpose can give clues as to some of the characteristics both physical and behavioural that can be expected from dogs within that group, breeds within the group also differ due to the suppression or enhancement of behavioural and physical traits to enable different breeds to carry out different tasks within the same group.
Wild canines use the whole prey sequence in order to survive with a prey drive that follows an inevitable sequence being complete and balanced : search, the eye-stalk, the chase, the grab bite, and the kill bite.
In different breeds of dog certain steps have been amplified or reduced by selective breeding for various purposes. With crossbreds the dog may display a mixture of their ancestors traits, therefore this should be taken into account and where ever possible, if known both parents breeds should be researched. Obviously individual dogs within both a breed and group will have their own personalities but examining the breed purpose can give a good idea as to its suitability to a particular home.
All pedigree dogs are divided in to breed groups :
Hound Group
Hounds are hunting dogs, The primitive drive to seek out or capture game has been retained, harnessed and shaped to assist us. There are several types of hunting dogs developed for various tasks in all shapes and sizes. Bred to locate their quarry either through scent for instance the Basset Hound,, Dachshund and Blood hound. Most of these breeds have long, drooping ears. One theory says that this trait helps to collect scent from the air and keep it near the dog's face and nose. Also having large nasal cavities, better for processing scent. Their typically loose, moist lips are said to assist in trapping scent particles.
The sight hound for example, the Greyhound, Afghan Hound and Saluki primarily hunt by speed and sight. They specialize in pursuing prey, keeping it in sight, and overpowering it by their great speed and agility also being able to quickly detect motion, so they have keen vision. Sight hounds have a very flexible back and long legs for a long stride, a deep chest to support an unusually (compared to other dogs) large heart, very efficient lungs , and a lean, wiry body and a light, lean head, which is referred to as being dolichocephalic in its proportions and is related to the need for stereoscopic vision in active hunting.
Scent hounds do not need to be as fast as sight hounds as they do not need to keep prey in sight, but they need endurance so that they can stick with a scent and follow it for long distances over rough terrain.
The way Hounds hunt is the key to their likely character and typical behaviour, Hound breeds can often appear dignified and aloof but are faithful loyal companions. Sight hounds tend to work in short bursts so do not require huge amounts of exercise however as pets care should be taken if the household has other small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and cats as sudden movements from these can easily trigger the strong hunting instinct . Equally with scent hounds recall can be a problem as they are easily distracted by an interesting smell.
The Lurcher is a hardy crossbred sight hound that is generally a cross between a sight hound and most often a pastoral dog or Terrier.Temperament will vary somewhat depending on the type of cross. Many Lurchers have temperaments that are very similar to purebred sight hounds like the Greyhound, but some have temperaments that are influenced by other breeds like herding breeds and terrier breeds.
Gundog Group
There are 34 different registered breeds of Gundog in the UK. They were bred to be hunting companions to find, flush out and fetch game for their owners. The breed group includes: Spaniels, Retrievers, and Setters.
Different Gundogs each have a specific working role. Setters would search for birds, freezing when a bird was found. Spaniels would flush out the birds to be shot, and Retrievers retrieved the game. Hunt, point and retrieve breeds, such as the Munsterlander, were then developed to do all three jobs, the 'multi-taskers' of the Gundog world. As were the Weimaraner which was originally used for hunting, tracking, and bringing down big game. They were popular in German courts for their speed, athleticism, sense of smell, courage and stamina. Because they have webbed feet Weimaraners are fine swimmers, and as big game became scarce in Germany the dog was put to use retrieving downed waterfowl from lakes and streams.
The Gundog characteristics both physical and behavioural whilst working are consistent with selective breeding for neoteny ( the retention of juvenile traits into adulthood) with most gundogs having large eyes and the low set floppy ears, and hunting behaviours associated with juvenile wolves who participate in the hunt with their pack but do not make the actual kill. This juvenile demeanour makes them popular family pets and the Labrador retriever is consistently amongst the top three Breeds of dog registered each year with the UK Kennel Club.
Terrier Group
As the bite- kill is muted in herding breeds through selective breeding, with terrier breeds this part of the prey sequence is desired.
“Terrier” coming from the Latin word “Terra”, meaning earth. Used for hunting vermin, badgers and foxes etc above and below ground.
The Kennel club calls this group a hardy collection of dogs which were selectively bred to be extremely brave and tough. The terrier group is made up of 26 different breeds.
Dogs of terrier type are said to date back as far as the Middle Ages. It is commonly believed that the British Isles are the origin of most terriers.
Terriers can differ greatly in size and looks from the Yorkshire Terrier which was bred as a ratter due to its small stature, weighting in the region of seven pound, allowing it to catch and kill vermin in small places. Also used for sport and placed in a pit of rats and which ever terrier killed the most rats in the least time was considered the winner and bets were placed.
The Staffordshire bull terrier with its muscular body and deep skull, smooth short coat weighting between 13 -17kg and standing 35-41 centimetres to the shoulder developed after bull baiting was outlawed in 1835 making them the perfect combatant for staged dog fights.
Bedlington terrier looking like a docile little lamb with its poodle - like coat and a pear shaped head but despite the fragile appearance having a working history of hunting rats, rabbits, otters, polecats, foxes and badgers. Also used in dog fighting. It is suggested that the Dandie Dinmont was also involved along with the whippet to create the Bedlington. The Dandie Dinmont with it’s silken topknot and it’s crisp double coat firstly used for hunting vermin but later extended it’s activities to include rabbits, otters and badgers.
The Airedale terrier is the larges of all terriers standing around 60 centimetres for dogs with bitches being slightly less with a hard, dense wiry coat , with it’s primary function to hunt otter but soon became a multi purpose terrier employed as a duck catcher, ratter, deer tracker, guard dog army messenger dog and unfortunately again dog fighting.
The group is diverse in its size, coat colouring, and length, body shape and head shape, the most distinctive perhaps being the English Bull Terrier often referred to as a “hammer head” however they all share the strong willed and fearless nature which is typical of the Terrier breeds.
The over riding similarities of the terrier group is their tenacity, whether that be pitted against rats in a bid to prevent grain from being eaten in the farm yard, or the “sport” of watching two dogs fight . Nature and nurture are of equal importance, with the deeply rooted instinct of years gone by. Dog aggression especially with other dogs of the same sex, is a trait often shared by the terriers used in pit fighting including the Staffordshire bull terrier, English Bull Terrier and the American pit bull terrier. Equally the Jack Russell Terrier may not be best suited living in a household of pet rats.
Utility Group
The Utility group is a mixed bag of breeds that don't really fit into the other pedigree groups. Utility dogs range from the small, glamorous Shih Tzu to the large Japanese Akita and from the curly haired Poodle to the bald Mexican Hairless: There are no set traits amongst Utility dogs - exercise, grooming and training requirements vary greatly. The Shih Tzu is quite happy to potter round the garden. The Poodle is a smart, active breed that does well in the canine sports, but you wouldn't catch a Bulldog doing flyball! Within this group further research of the breed would be required for example The Dalmatian, best known for it‘s spots either black or liver coloured on a ground colour of pure white. Bred to run for hours under or along side a coach most Dalmatians do not tire easily. This means that behaviourally the Dalmatian is an active and energetic dog, moderately territorial by nature they are also intelligent and very family oriented and as such require lots of exercise and mental stimulation, or they could suffer behavioural problems such as separation anxiety, excessive barking and destructive behaviour when left alone. The Lhasa Apso on the other hand requires little exercise but considerable grooming.
Working Group.
The Working group were originally bred for a wide range of jobs to help their owners’
The Dobermann was bred to guard its tax-collecting owner Louis Dobermann, Siberian Huskies were sled dogs for the Chuckchi Arctic tribe, St Bernard’s rescued lost travellers across the Swiss Alps, the Great Dane was originally bred to hunt packs of wild boar, and the Newfoundland, a fisherman's dog, was taught to look after the nets in the water. And to rescue people and objects lost overboard. They are generally large (the smallest being the German Pinscher being between 43-48 centimetres to the withers) though some, such as the Great Dane stand 76 centimetres with the bitches slightly smaller at 71 centimetres, weighting between 46-54kg and the St Bernard are real giants weighting between 73 - 117kg. Because of their working ancestry they are likely to have strong bonds with their owners.
Pastoral Group
The Pastoral Group comprises of breeds that for centuries have aided man in controlling the movement of flocks and herds also referring to guardian type dogs who’s job was to offer protection to Shepard and livestock. The eye-stalk is a strong component of the behaviours used by herding dogs with the sequence not being followed through to the kill-bite.
Dogs within a certain “group” may differ greatly in appearance for instance, The Pyrenean Mountain dog being a quietly confident natural guard dog. One of the largest breeds within the group with males standing approximately 68 centimetres to the shoulder weighting around 50kg and bitches 63 centimetres to the shoulder weighting 40kg. The Welsh Corgi (Cardigan), standing thirty centimetres, weighting around 10kg with it‘s picked ears and medium length coat. The Briard standing sixty one to sixty nine centimetres, with it’s long wavy coat and the Hungarian Puli standing forty to forty four centimetres with it’s corded coat resembling dreadlocks. Although the breeds may differ in appearance and also in the way they work. Looking at the group shows many behavioural similarities.
The Australian Cattle dog for instance is know as a “heeler” as it nips at the heels of the livestock. With their job being to push the animals forward. The Corgi too, nips at heels working from behind in semi circles rather than running around the livestock. Being a bold little dog quite prepared to bite the nose of an approaching subordinate cow causing it to rejoin the herd.
The Border Collie in contrast is known as a “header” and gets in front of the animal and use what is called a “strong eye” to stare down the animals. Their job is to keep the livestock in a group and constantly move around the herd to turn or to stop the animals movement.
The Australian Kelpie uses both these methods also running along the backs of sheep and are therefore said to head, heel and back.
Most share physical characteristics, one being that being that Pastoral breeds have had to work in all weathers and have grown a double, waterproof coat to give protection from the elements. Members of this group use tactics of hunter and prey to intimidate and keep control of herds and flocks with their natural instinct to bring down an animal muted by training.
Pastoral breeds are also renowned for their intelligence but may not always be the easiest to train and handle, being a highly active group that do not always do well without a job to do. Which when left unfulfilled mentally and physically may start to make their own entertainment possibly leading to behavioural problems including excessive barking, destructive behaviour, rounding up children bicycles, cars or joggers or even nipping at strangers heels.
Toy Group.
Breeds within this group were predominantly companions, bred to be small so they could be carried by elegant ladies and fit easily on a lap. They were often highly prized and became a symbol of royalty and wealth, and because of these connections, their popularity grew, as companions and more recently fashionable accessories. They have been neotenised to look like cute puppies well into adulthood which compels owners to nurture them. Included within this group is the Chihuahua weighting between 1.8- 2.7kg requiring little exercise and grooming if short coated. The Italian Greyhound weighting between 3.6-4.5kg again needing minimal grooming and moderate exercise and the Maltese requiring considerable grooming, minimal exercise and weighting between 3-4kg.
They are intelligent companions, should have friendly personalities and love attention however owners should be discretionary with their attention as spoiled dogs can become protective of their owners, develop separation anxiety or obsessive barking.
The Kennel Club
