by Karon Brandt

Created on: November 17, 2007   Last Updated: July 08, 2009

This article is to be used as a reference guide to 90 dog breeds listed in alphabetical order. I have separated dogs into six main categories that group the breeds according to what they were originally bred to do.

If you have some idea of the kind of dog you want, go to that category and see if any of the traits is a deal-breaker for ownership, like "cat killer" or "heavy drooler."

Once you have narrowed down your wish list to 5 to 8 breeds, you can go to http://animaldiscovery.com/breedselector/dogselector .do to see details and pictures of the breed. You can also take a quiz to decide which breed is best for you based on size, coat, need for exercise, friendliness factor, etc. - 10 traits in all.

There are over 400 recognized breeds in the world, but I will list the ones most people are familiar with.

INTRODUCTION To The BREED CATEGORIES

Dogs were bred with specific purposes in mind. I will list and characterize 90 dogs from 6 categories: 1) Companion dogs; 2) Hounds; 3) Terriers; 4) Sporting dogs; 5) Herding and
6) Working dogs.

Sporting dogs were bred for hunting and many were trained to kill: terriers would kill rats; fox terriers would hunt and kill fox; dachshunds killed badger; pit bulls were used to bait bulls and then they were later used to fight one another to the death for "entertainment."

The category a dog belongs to tells much about its ancestry and natural tendencies. For those who think a dog is just a dog, you would be in for a shock if you got a sheltie that herded your children by nipping at their heels or a beagle that wouldn't take a walk without sidetracking after scents 40 times along the way.

Most people know that the original dogs descended from wolves, but a Great Dane is a lot different than a Chihuahua. Qualities have been bred for centuries to create the dogs we know today. And many have been improperly bred so serious hereditary and temperament defects have occurred in the lines.

Choosing a well bred dog is of utmost importance to get a dog true to its heritage and to prevent serious heartbreak with a dog that requires thousands of dollars in vet care or dies very young because of ill breeding.

There are several categories of dogs and even those are not always agreed upon. Some cross over into two categories because of blood lines. Although the dachshund was originally a hound, it is listed with the terriers. I think the most popular categories for pets include the "COMPANION dogs" (29 listed), really bred to be man's

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