Contents
The Domestic Dog
Dog Groups and Breeds
The Sporting Group
The Hound Group
The Working Group
The Terrier Group
The Toy Group
The Nonsporting Group
The Herding Group
Crossbreeds
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The Sporting Group
The sporting group is made up of dogs originally used for hunting on land and in water. Today these dogs often work as gundogs, helping to track, position, and retrieve hunted birds. Sporting breeds are lively and require plenty of exercise. They’re also extremely loyal, making them popular family pets. Their average lifespan is 10–14 years.
Brittany
Known for its excellent sense of smell and its ability to point and retrieve, the Brittany was first registered in France in 1907 and soon became common in America.
Temperament
- Personality: Curious, playful, not suitable for inexperienced owners
- Exercise needs: High
- With children: Friendly
Appearance
- Size: Medium (30–40 lbs, 17–21" tall)
- Color: Orange and white, liver and white, black and white, or tricolored
- Coat: Medium, flat (sometimes wavy)
- Grooming: Brush 1–2 times weekly
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The Chesapeake Bay retriever, or Chessie, originated from two pups rescued from an 1807 shipwreck off the coast of Maryland.
Temperament
- Personality: Hardy, calm
- Exercise: Moderate
- With children: Friendly, loyal
Appearance
- Size: Medium to large (55–80 lbs, 21–26" tall)
- Color: Any shade of brown
- Coat: Short, water-resistant
- Grooming: Brush weekly
Cocker Spaniel
The cocker spaniel was developed in Great Britain in the 1800s. In 1946, the American cocker spaniel and the English cocker spaniel
were distinguished as separate breeds. The English cocker spaniel is far more popular worldwide and is known
simply as “the cocker spaniel.”
Temperament
- Personality: Happy, curious
- Exercise needs: Moderate
- With children: Friendly, very loyal
Appearance
- Size: Medium (28–32 lbs, 15–17" tall)
- Color: Black, liver, or red; solid or with white background
- Coat: Medium, flat (sometimes wavy)
- Grooming: Brush 2–3 times weekly; clip every 2 months
English Springer Spaniel
The English springer spaniel, a larger relative of the cocker spaniel, became its own breed in England in 1902. The springer is used to hunt game and makes an excellent family pet.
Temperament
- Personality: Energetic, cheerful
- Exercise needs: High
- With children: Friendly, playful
Appearance
- Size: Medium (45–50 lbs, 19–20" tall)
- Color: Black with white markings, white with black markings, or tricolor
- Coat: Long and thick
- Grooming: Brush 1–2 times weekly; clip/scissor every 3 months
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German shorthaired pointer originated in Germany in the early 1800s. It’s now popular as a hunter and a companion.
Temperament
- Personality: Active, hardworking
- Exercise needs: High
- With children: Friendly but rowdy
Appearance
- Size: Medium to large (45–70 lbs, 21–25" tall)
- Color: Liver, or liver and white
- Coat: Short, thick
- Grooming: Brush occasionally
Golden Retriever
The golden retriever was developed in England in the 1800s and is known for
its loyalty. It makes an ideal pet for families with children.
Temperament
- Personality: Loyal, affectionate
- Exercise needs: Moderate
- With children: Extremely friendly
Appearance
- Size: Medium to large (55–75 lbs, 20–24" tall)
- Color: Orange or golden yellow
- Coat: Long, thick, water-resistant
- Grooming: Brush 2 times weekly
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador retriever was developed from a smaller dog in Newfoundland and has since been crossed with other retrievers. It’s an excellent swimmer and the most popular dog in America.
Temperament
- Personality: Obedient, devoted
- Exercise needs: High
- With children: Very friendly
Appearance
- Size: Medium to large (55–75 lbs, 21.5–24.5" tall)
- Color: Black, chocolate, or yellow with or without white spot on chest
- Coat: Short, very thick
- Grooming: Brush weekly
Vizsla
This breed is believed to have descended from dogs used by the Magyars in their invasion of Hungary in the Middle Ages. Today the vizsla is used often as a hunting dog.
Temperament
- Personality: Lively, sensitive, loving
- Exercise needs: High
- With children: Friendly, gentle
Appearance
- Size: Medium (45–65 lbs, 21–24" tall)
- Color: Golden rust with or without white spots on chest and toes
- Coat: Short, thick, smooth
- Grooming: Brush occasionally
Weimaraner
The Weimaraner resulted from an attempt to produce a dog that could hunt all sizes of game. It is a cross between bloodhound and several other breeds.
Temperament
- Personality: Alert, headstrong
- Exercise needs: High
- With children: Friendly but too rowdy for small children
Appearance
- Size: Medium to large (55–90 lbs, 23–27" tall)
- Color: Mouse-gray or silver-gray with or without white spot on chest
- Coat: Short, smooth
- Grooming: Brush occasionally
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