Breed groups explained
What they are, what they mean, and which breeds are in each
Ever wondered what breed groups or standards are all about? Wonder no more!
Working group
A history and overview of the Working group
Working dogs are the heavy lifters of the canine world, and were bred to cover a surprising range of tasks. They were bred to protect property, move loads, guard livestock and people, and su…
Pastoral (UK)/Herding (US) group
The history, purpose and development of pastoral dogs
The pastoral group is one of the most distinctive and historically important categories of dogs, shaped by centuries of work alongside humans in the management of livestock. These are the he…
Hound group
Understanding these ancient dogs
The Hound group (or breed standard) is among the oldest categories of domestic dogs. They were bred primarily for hunting, and are divided into two main categories: Sighthounds, such as Grey…
Utility (UK)/Non-Sporting (US) group
The history (and surprising members) of the utility group
Ask a group of dog owners to describe the Utility group and you will often be met with puzzled looks. Unlike the Gundogs, Terriers or Hounds, the Utility dogs do not share a single, obvious …
Toy group
Much more than just 'small dogs'!
The term 'toy dog' conjures an image of a pampered lapdog, perhaps in the arms of royalty or nestled in a handbag. While this picture is certainly part of the story, the reality of the Toy b…
Terrier group
The history, purpose and diversity of the terrier group
The terrier is one of the most distinctive and enduring groups or "breed standards" of dogs, shaped by centuries of work, sport and companionship. The very name comes from the Lati…
Gundog (UK)/Sporting (US) group
Understanding the history and purpose of the Gundogs
Gundogs, known in the US as Sporting dogs, are bred to work with hunters in the field – finding, indicating, flushing or retrieving game cleanly and with control. The term Gundog has a pract…
Breed groups
Understanding the history, purpose and controversies of UK and US dog breed groups
For as long as people have kept dogs, they have tried to make sense of the many shapes, sizes and temperaments by grouping them. In the modern world this has been formalised by kennel clubs,…