Non-Sporting Dogs

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Picture of a Non-Sporting dog

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General Information about Non-Sporting Dogs
All of the dogs listed below belong to the collection of dogs referred to as Non-Sporting Dogs. Dogs in the Non-Sporting Group are a diverse group which do not fit the specified criteria of the other breed groups. In addition, the Non-Sporting Group may no longer perform the tasks they were originally bred for. These dogs vary in every conceivable way from size, temperament, features and coats! Some are well known and some are less common. There is no unifying theme with these dogs! Times, fashions and societies have changed and so have the need for breeds to assist in what was once considered entertainment, or sport, such as bull or bear baiting.

Non-Sporting Breed - Past Duties
The characteristics and features of Non-Sporting Dogs cannot be generalised. Each breed would have originally have been introduced and strengthened by breeding with animals who already demonstrated the desired traits. Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century. Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits helpful for the duties they were intended for. Because of the diverse nature of these breeds it is not possible to detail every task they were involved with but here are a few:

Dog photograph

Hunting game birds - the Finnish Spitz

Hunting waterfowl

Hunting small game - the Shiba

Truffle hunter - the Poodle

Bull Baiting - the English Bulldog

Coach Dog - the Dalmatian

Circus Performers

Guarding duties

In this day and age only a few of the breeds might undertake these tasks, but nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and characteristics that made the original breeding programs so successful. These dogs generally fall into the medium to large size groups and make popular family companions.

Information about Non-Sporting Dogs
To discover more about specific breeds of Non-Sporting Dogs, their origins, history, temperaments and characteristics please follow one of the following links: