The Toy Group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A toy dog is a very small dog kept as a pet, as compared to a very small working dog, although both pet and working dogs can be very small. When an all-breed association or kennel club divides dog breeds into groups for purposes of competition, the Toy Group contains most of the smallest dog breeds in the club's registry. There has been much discussion as to whether the designation signifies only a dog's size (weight, height, or both), or also refers to how a breed is used or its temperament. This has sometimes led to misunderstanding or bad feeling in the world of purebred dogs; there seems to be no consensus.
It seems safest to define toy dogs as being determined by the size of the dogs, and leave discussion of function and temperament to the various breed clubs. However, this can also be problematic, as there is no firm agreement on what height or weight makes a dog a toy, and the upper height limit of some toy dog breeds is over 12 inches at the withers, which places these dogs within the height range of dogs in some other groups as well. The use of the word "toy" to describe small dogs that belong to a toy breed is redundant and also incorrect, suggesting that the breed comes in different sizes—there is no such thing, for example, as a "toy Chihuahua"; all Chihuahuas are toy dogs. (However, some breeds do come in different sizes, such as Poodles, which come in standard, miniature, and toy varieties).
Toy dogs make great pets for the most part although they are often characterized as being exceedingly difficult to housetrain. This May be because so many owners continue to think of them as being “babies” and carry them about and pamper them so much more than is normally done with other breeds.
All of this aside...the Toy Group dogs as defined by the American Kennel Club are as follows:
Affenpinscher, Brussels Griffon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, English Toy Spaniel, Havanese, Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Poodle, Pug, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Toy Fox Terrier, and the Yorkshire Terrier

The Hound Group
The Hound Group represents a family of dogs that are known for either using their nose or their eyes to run game. Those dogs that use mainly sight are often called "sight hounds" and often are considered as among the most elegant of the Breeds in the Hound Group Ring. Most hounds are generally considered to be rather single minded in their pursuit of their particular skill...in other words, one might call them "stubborn". Many of the hounds are also considered a "pack dog", having spent much of their history running in packs in support of the hunter. Thus many of them might be considered to be rather independent and somewhat aloof. However, most of them make great pets and companions. The Hound Group includes the following breeds: Afghan Hound, American Foxhound, Basenji, Basset Hound, Beagle, Black and Tan Coonhound, Bloodhound, Borzoi, Dachshund, English Foxhound, Greyhound, Harrier, Ibizan Hound, Irish Wolfhound, Norwegian Elkhound, (this breed is probably not a true "hound" as it represents a type of dog more similar in nature to the northern "Spitz" breeds) Otterhound, Pettit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV), Pharaoh Hound, Plott Hound (the newest member) Rhodesian Ridgeback, Saluki, Scottish Deerhound, Whippet

The Terrier Group
The terrier group represents a number of medium to small sized dogs who have a propensity for being somewhat “scrappy” and are mostly bred for “going to ground” after rodents and varmints. They have been heavily used throughout history as general farm dogs and also as dogs which will “worry” large game by darting in or nipping and biting at the prey until the hunter arrives. They are independent, generally quite friendly to people and usually highly intellligent and active.
Members of the A.K.C. terrier group are:Airedale Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Border Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Irish Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier (a.k.a. Jack Russell), Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Skye Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Wirehaired Fox Terrier

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