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North American Dog Groups 101
Toys and Non-Sporting
Dogs
There are many different ways to classify dogs. The
official organizations tend to group them first into breeds and then into
groups. The different Kennel Clubs around the world have their own system. The
one in North America differs from those utilized by clubs in the United Kingdom
and in Australia-New Zealand.
To
ensure everyone is able to compete internationally, an international
organization has created and instituted a specific system. The Federation
Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is responsible for the harmonization of its 84
or so member countries. Of the major Kennel Clubs, only the United Kingdom's
Kennel Club is not a member. This article does not look at all the systems. It
focuses solely on the North American system of grouping breeds. This consists of
8 different groups. It is common to both Canada and the United States. Below,
you will find information on the Toy Group and Non-Sporting Dogs, Groups 5 and 6
in this system.
Toys
The member dogs of the Toy Group
came about through a specific need. While the Brussels Griffon exists for
curtailing the rodent population, many of the other toy dogs came into being as
lap dogs. These, as their name implies, are small animals. They are often very
tiny. They can and do sit on your lap.
Toys are precocious. They are
perky, playful, cuddly and lively. They are as Paris Hilton attests, portable.
Toy dogs are often close to their owners. They usually are eager to please. At
their best, they are charming and sweet. If treated in a manner not befitting a
dog, they can become tyrannical, mouthy, snippy and nippy.
Toys are
companionable. They are perfect for urban living. They can easily fit into an
apartment. They are adaptable and adoptable. Most people recognize the names and
breeds in the toy category. They include such common pets as the Poodle, the
Chihuahua, the Pug, the Pekinese, the Miniature Pinscher, the Italian Greyhound,
the Maltese, the Shih Tzu, the Yorkshire Terrier and the Pomeranian. Less well-
known members are the English Toy Spaniel, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel,
the Chinese Crested, the Brussels Griffon, the Papillon and the Havanese.
Non-Sporting
Dogs
The
members of the Non-sporting dog Group are a very diverse lot. Members include 3
Bull breeds, the Spitz breeds, 3 Tibetan breeds and 2 poodle varieties plus
more. Some are short hair and stocky. Other Non-sporting Dogs are fluffy haired
elegant creations. You cannot make a sweeping statement about this particular
group of dogs.
The wide range of natures and characteristics makes
this a group of true individuals. You need to access the pros and cons of each
and very breed. There are no generalizations within this group except one - you
cannot generalize. Simply consider the members. You have the spotty Dalmatian,
known by children around the world as a firedog and famed by Disney in a movie.
There is also the hairy Chow Chow and the wrinkly Chinese Shar-Pei. You have the
tough and sturdy English bull Dog and the French Bull dog as well as the lap dog
Lhasa Apso. The Poodle and the Boston Terrier are members of this group as are
lesser-known stars. These include the American Eskimo Dog, the Keeshond, the
Shiba Inu, the Schipperke and the Lowchen.
While Toys may have a rather
uniform presentation, allowing you to mix and match, Non-Sporting Dogs are more
diverse. Yet, only a fool believes all dogs in specific category are identical.
When choosing a dog, always meet the parents as well as the owners. Realize that
the dog will have characteristics of its breed, but training and the dog's
individual nature play a role in their final nature.
Article written by Christine Hill
of
Oh My Dog Supplies ,
the top ranked place to find small dog toys
online.
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