List of Personality Traits & Dog Types

Dogs are man's best friend. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes over 150 breeds of pure bred dogs, which are classed in seven different groups and one class. Although each dog is an individual, breeds placed in together in a group tend to exhibit similar personality traits. A perspective dog owner should become familiar with these different groups before choosing their new puppy.

  1. Working Dogs

    • According to the American Kennel Club, dogs which are registered in the working group were developed to perform numerous tasks including hunting, herding, rescuing and hauling. Working dog breeds were also used for guarding and droving. Working dogs have been an invaluable asset to people throughout the years and have a close association with humans. Working dogs are large and strong animals and are often domineering, independent and challenging to manage. These personality traits, together with their huge size, typically make many working breeds unsuitable as family pets. Working dogs are however intelligent and protective. Great Danes, Siberian huskies, Newfoundlands, bullmastiffs, boxers, dobermans and Anatolian shepherds are all registered as working dogs.

    Toy Dogs and Non-Sporting Breeds

    • The non-sporting group is made up of dog breeds which do not fit neatly into any of the other groups. Toy dogs are ideal companions for city dwellers, as they require very little space. The Pekingese, Maltese, Chihuahua, pug, Yorkshire terrier and Pomeranian are all classed as toy breeds. These dogs, which are frequently referred to as lap dogs, are normally friendly and energetic.

    Hounds and Sporting dogs

    • The hound group contains breeds which hunt by sight or sound, while breeds in the sporting group, such as spaniels, setters, pointers and retrievers, track and retrieve birds. Sporting breeds tend to be gentle and obedient for the most part. Most hound breeds tent to be loyal and friendly. This is particularly true of scent hounds such as the bassets and beagles, which were bred to work in a pack.

    Terriers and Herding

    • Dogs in the herding group, which are typically loyal and obedient, were bred to herd cattle and sheep. German shepherds and the various collie types are included in this category. Breeds in the terrier group are feisty dogs which were developed to hunt vermin. The various breeds within this group show diverse temperaments although most are excellent guardians, such as the American Staffordshire terrier, Bedlington terrier and Airedale terrier.