A Brief discussion of the American Kennel Club "GROUPS"

SPORTING: Sporting breeds are the dogs that are typically used by hunters as "bird dogs", gun dogs, and"pointing dogs". Some dogs will flush birds, while some will point and hold till the hunter flushes then out. Those breeds designated as "Retrievers" will bring the bird or other game back to the hunter. Many breeds have retained their instinctive hunting capabilities and still others that are shown in conformation have developed into two different "types", those that are shown in conformation and those that are strictly "hunting dogs." There are trials called "Field trials" and "hunt tests" that have been developed by breed clubs in conjunction with the AKC to test the hunting and/or retrieving capabilities of many of these breeds. There are also “herding trials” or “herding instinct test” for the herding breeds, or “earth dog trials” for such breeds as the terriers. Those breeds or representatives of breeds that have attained what is known as "dual championships" (achieving titles in both conformation and their particular hunting expertise) are to be commended for retaining the inherent qualities and characteristics of their breed.

The Sporting Group
Many of the sporting breeds are high activity dogs that need high levels of exercise. Nearly all of them are quite people oriented and friendly and sociable towards people, since the main emphasis throughout history with these breeds has been an ability to work with the hunter as a companion, as opposed to running in a pack or being merely a "couch potato". Sporting breeds are of course the breeds that are used for hunting. Many of these breeds now have become segmented into separate “compartments” of the Hunting Dogs and the “Show Dogs” so remember this if you are also intending to hunt with your dog PLUS show your dog. You need to either be very brave or very foolhardy to attempt both with the same dog, but here again, it depends on your BREEDER and your personal preferences and your TRAINING and PREPARATION, hopefully you will learn more about this as you progress through this book.

a dog that has excelled in the fireld trials and the hunt tests but has yet to work towards a Championship title

The following breeds represent the American Kennel Club "Sporting Group"

American Water Spaniel, Brittany, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, (represented by three different varieties: Parti-color, Black, and Any Other Solid Color), Curly Coated Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat Coated Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Sussex Spaniel, Viszla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

another reprsentative of the Sporting Group...going for a swim

NEXT PAGE: The Herding and Working Groups