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Common Dog Breeds
By:
Published: September 19, 2006
For many people, a dog is not a dog unless it is a particular breed.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 155 purebred dog breeds. These are classified into seven groups – sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting and herding – based upon the jobs each breed originally was intended to do. The AKC also has a miscellaneous class for emerging dog breeds.
Breeding ensures desirable characteristics will transfer from one generation to the next. A 1992 British Broadcasting Corporation story reported the Chinese probably were the first to domesticate wolves – dogs' ancestors – nearly 15,000 years ago. However, most dog breeds only began to appear within the past five centuries. Amazingly, all these dog breeds seem to have descended from three East Asian female dogs, often called the "three Eves."
Two of the most popular dog breeds in the United States are the German Shepherd Dog, often called the GSD, and the poodle.
The German Shepherd Dog has a reputation for being bold, intelligent, strong and loyal. The AKC classifies it as a herding dog, because it was originally bred to herd livestock in Germany in the 1800s.
Today, its resume includes jobs such as police dog, explosives-sniffing dog, guide dog and military dog. One of the most famous of all TV dogs, police dog Rin Tin Tin, was a German Shepherd Dog.
German Shepherds have sleek and strong muscles, especially in the hindquarters. They usually weigh between 75 and 100 pounds, although they can sometimes exceed 120 pounds. Typical physical characteristics include a black nose, bushy tail, pointed ears and tan/chocolate/black coloring. The AKC considers white German Shepherd Dogs to be defective, and they cannot be shown in competitions. German Shepherd Dogs might also have lighter-colored "eyebrows" adding to their air of alertness and intelligence.
GSDs like to be physically active and mentally challenged. This dog breed will be the one to bring you a tennis balls to throw (sometimes two or three in the mouth at a time), or the leash to go for a walk. They also will be the ones who figure out how to unlatch the back door or lock the car from the inside!
Because they have a loyal and protective nature, this dog breed is a popular choice for a family guard dog.
Of all the dog breeds, poodles are perhaps the most ridiculed and misunderstood. They often are portrayed as pampered, high-strung society dogs with puffy haircuts, diamond collars, spindly legs and upturned noses.
In real life, poodles are renowned for their intelligence. Their regal bearing made them the logical choice to play Tinkerbell to the French aristocracy's Paris Hiltons. They were even captured in oils by the Spanish artist Goya.
Though popular lore puts this dog breed's origins in France, it more likely came from Germany or Denmark, where it was prized for its duck-hunting prowess. Even its name comes from the German pfudel, meaning "puddle" or "to splash."
The AKC recognizes three classes of poodles based on size. Standards measure 15 inches tall or more at the top of the shoulder, or withers. Miniatures are 10 to 15 inches tall. Toys measure less than 10 inches. All come in many colors, including white, black, brown and apricot. (Teacups, although not recognized by the AKC, also are less than 10 inches tall).
Poodles' coats are thick and curly, which is one reason the continental and English saddle-shaved cuts were developed for them. The legs were shaved because too much hair impeded their ability to swim in bogs and wetlands to get downed ducks. The big hood of curls on their heads, ears, shoulders, chests and backs insulates their body cores against cold water.
The "pompons" on the tail and lower legs come from their careers as circus animals. Their intelligence and nimbleness make them perfect candidates to learn tricks, such as jumping through hoops and "dancing" on their hind legs.
Because poodles have some of the thickest and curliest coats of all the dog breeds, they need regular brushing and grooming. Even if they are not shaved, their curls still need to be clipped regularly to keep their coats clean and manageable.
Poodles often are bred with other dog breeds to create "designer" dog breeds. They have been crossed with Cocker spaniels to create cockapoos, Yorkshire terriers to create Yorki-poos and Pekinese to create Peke-A-Poos. However, the AKC does not yet recognize these as legitimate dog breeds.
Regardless of whether you favor a purebred, such as the German Shepherd Dog or poodle, or the mutt varieties found at the local dog pound, remember all dog breeds can provide you with caring and loyal companions if they are given proper training and care.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 155 purebred dog breeds. These are classified into seven groups – sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting and herding – based upon the jobs each breed originally was intended to do. The AKC also has a miscellaneous class for emerging dog breeds.
Breeding ensures desirable characteristics will transfer from one generation to the next. A 1992 British Broadcasting Corporation story reported the Chinese probably were the first to domesticate wolves – dogs' ancestors – nearly 15,000 years ago. However, most dog breeds only began to appear within the past five centuries. Amazingly, all these dog breeds seem to have descended from three East Asian female dogs, often called the "three Eves."
Two of the most popular dog breeds in the United States are the German Shepherd Dog, often called the GSD, and the poodle.
The German Shepherd Dog has a reputation for being bold, intelligent, strong and loyal. The AKC classifies it as a herding dog, because it was originally bred to herd livestock in Germany in the 1800s.
Today, its resume includes jobs such as police dog, explosives-sniffing dog, guide dog and military dog. One of the most famous of all TV dogs, police dog Rin Tin Tin, was a German Shepherd Dog.
German Shepherds have sleek and strong muscles, especially in the hindquarters. They usually weigh between 75 and 100 pounds, although they can sometimes exceed 120 pounds. Typical physical characteristics include a black nose, bushy tail, pointed ears and tan/chocolate/black coloring. The AKC considers white German Shepherd Dogs to be defective, and they cannot be shown in competitions. German Shepherd Dogs might also have lighter-colored "eyebrows" adding to their air of alertness and intelligence.
GSDs like to be physically active and mentally challenged. This dog breed will be the one to bring you a tennis balls to throw (sometimes two or three in the mouth at a time), or the leash to go for a walk. They also will be the ones who figure out how to unlatch the back door or lock the car from the inside!
Because they have a loyal and protective nature, this dog breed is a popular choice for a family guard dog.
Of all the dog breeds, poodles are perhaps the most ridiculed and misunderstood. They often are portrayed as pampered, high-strung society dogs with puffy haircuts, diamond collars, spindly legs and upturned noses.
In real life, poodles are renowned for their intelligence. Their regal bearing made them the logical choice to play Tinkerbell to the French aristocracy's Paris Hiltons. They were even captured in oils by the Spanish artist Goya.
Though popular lore puts this dog breed's origins in France, it more likely came from Germany or Denmark, where it was prized for its duck-hunting prowess. Even its name comes from the German pfudel, meaning "puddle" or "to splash."
The AKC recognizes three classes of poodles based on size. Standards measure 15 inches tall or more at the top of the shoulder, or withers. Miniatures are 10 to 15 inches tall. Toys measure less than 10 inches. All come in many colors, including white, black, brown and apricot. (Teacups, although not recognized by the AKC, also are less than 10 inches tall).
Poodles' coats are thick and curly, which is one reason the continental and English saddle-shaved cuts were developed for them. The legs were shaved because too much hair impeded their ability to swim in bogs and wetlands to get downed ducks. The big hood of curls on their heads, ears, shoulders, chests and backs insulates their body cores against cold water.
The "pompons" on the tail and lower legs come from their careers as circus animals. Their intelligence and nimbleness make them perfect candidates to learn tricks, such as jumping through hoops and "dancing" on their hind legs.
Because poodles have some of the thickest and curliest coats of all the dog breeds, they need regular brushing and grooming. Even if they are not shaved, their curls still need to be clipped regularly to keep their coats clean and manageable.
Poodles often are bred with other dog breeds to create "designer" dog breeds. They have been crossed with Cocker spaniels to create cockapoos, Yorkshire terriers to create Yorki-poos and Pekinese to create Peke-A-Poos. However, the AKC does not yet recognize these as legitimate dog breeds.
Regardless of whether you favor a purebred, such as the German Shepherd Dog or poodle, or the mutt varieties found at the local dog pound, remember all dog breeds can provide you with caring and loyal companions if they are given proper training and care.
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