It is believed that dogs originated
from wolves, who settled around human habitation centuries
ago. As wolves wandered into human territory frequently, man
and wolf became familiar to each other thus bridging the gap
between man and the wild. Man probably noticed how wolves
behaved in packs seeing characteristics like protectiveness,
loyalty and submissiveness to the head of the pack. Over time,
it was quite easy to build a bond with wolf cubs honing in
on their characteristics to make them an aid to guard their
community or to help their master during hunting.
While the development and civilization of man continued,
various breeds of dogs were formed. Dog breeders began to
search for ways and means to improve his environment as well
as to facilitate a higher standard of living. Dog breeders
therefore began to adapt his environment and what it contained
to suit his needs. Animals were not excluded from this pursuit
and this led to the creation of various dog breeds too.
What do we mean by a 'Breed'?
‘Breed’ is defined as a line of descendants perpetuating
particular hereditary qualities and as a homogeneous grouping
of animals within a species, developed by humans. The common
thread in these two definitions is that a group of animals
have similar qualities whether they originated due to changes
in their environment or due to selective breeding done by
man. Each breed has its own set of attributes and needs; it
is therefore important to have this information. We can thus
make an educated choice to suit our purpose and to help ensure
the required care for our dog.
Classification of breeds:
Various dog breeders organizations and groups categorize dog
breeds into different categories depending on the aspect they
are using to categorize them. We have decided to categorize
our dogs based upon the purpose they were bred for which is
one of the common ways of classifying them. We therefore have
8 classes, the last one comprising of a mixture of breeds
that cannot yet be put into the seven other classes. Let us
understand the main characteristics of each of these classes.
Hounds: As the name suggests these
were created to hound, that is, to hunt. Some hounds have
an extremely well- developed sense of smell which no doubt
helps them track prey. Some hounds could pursue their prey
without tiring for quite a long time. This group includes
a variety of breeds and therefore it is difficult to list
out common traits. This category can be further divided into
long- legged and short- legged hounds.
Terriers: These dogs are full of
life, aggressive, expressive and are always ready for a good
fight. They don’t take to other animals or dogs as easily
as you would want them to and are therefore not encouraged
with families having too many other animals at home. They
can be a little stubborn which is why they need firm and consistent
training. It is believed that they originated from hounds
and that their ancestors hunted and killed pests. They are
quite hardy and therefore are less susceptible to diseases
when compared to the other breeds.
Sporting: These dogs are always
on their guard and are very energetic dogs, which make them
well-liked by dog owners. These breeds are noted for their
sixth sense in forests, therefore quite a few of breeds are
used in hunting and other activities. These breeds required
revitalizing exercise to help them keep in form.
Toy: These dogs were bred for one
purpose- to add a spark of beauty to the owner’s life.
They may not necessarily serve as guards or even have enough
energy to play around all day but they are easier to manage
due to their small size and are therefore chosen by people
on the move or living in small apartments. Some breeds have
quite an irritating bark, so one needs to choose carefully.
Non-Sporting: This class includes
a number of breeds that vary in size, physical attributes
and character. They are all pretty sturdy dogs.
Working: This class includes dogs
that were developed to guard, draw sleds and to execute other
tasks which is why they are considered as true assets. Considering
the tasks they were bred to perform, they are no doubt noteworthy
for their intelligence and strength. Herding was also one
of the tasks performed by these breeds, but there is now a
separate class created for these breeds and therefore no longer
come under the Working class. Some breeds are quite huge and
therefore, you need to ensure that you have considered that
before choosing them as your companions.
Herding: This group includes breeds
that were developed to herd other animals although they do
make good pets too. Although the size of the other animals
is much larger, these breeds playfully manage to herd animals
by constantly jumping, barking and nipping the animals until
they move in the direction required. These breeds are less
stubborn and therefore can be trained more easily as compared
to some of the other classes.
Miscellaneous: Breeds that have
not yet found their way into the other classes, but are constantly
increasing in interest and breeding activities, are categorized
under this class. Once there is proof of its continued existence
and expansion, the breed could be moved from this class to
one of the above mentioned classes depending on their characteristics.
There are many dogs that have been inter-bred for generations
together and therefore are recognized as a purebreed since
the same breed was used to develop them over a long period
of time. If two different breeds are bred together or if the
breeding partners come from a mixed lineage, the obtained
breed is called a hybrid. It is interesting to note that up
until today there are purebreds and hybrids being created
and therefore the list of breeds is an ever changing one.
There always exists a debate when deciding which breed fits
in what category. Moreover, the basis upon which the breeds
are classified also varies across organizations and groups.
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