breed profile q&aA happy dog is ...
... trained and entertained.
T
erriers were originally bred as ‘jacks of
all trades’. They were vermin catchers,
hunters, guard dogs, farm dogs and family
companions. Some breeds were bred to follow
their quarry underground into their holes, hence
the name ‘terrier’ from the Latin terra, meaning
‘earth’. Others were bred for their coat type which
enabled them to go deep into the underbrush, with
good outer protection. They are dogs with high
energy levels, inquisitive characters and a high
prey drive. Terriers can be headstrong and need
early socialisation and training. Terriers are mostly
independent, courageous, feisty and tough.Terrier
trademarks
Where does the Terrier group’s
name come from?G
undogs were bred to assist the hunter in
finding his quarry, but in general, dogs
in this group are mostly loyal, reliable, sporty
and relaxed. Some dogs were bred to flush out
or retrieve game, while others were bred to
track game, keep it at bay and alert the hunter
to its location. Retrievers, Spaniels, Setters and
Pointers fall into this dog group. Gundogs make
suitable companions for people from different
walks of life. They are naturally intelligent
and their easy-going nature and willingness
to please make them a popular choice for dog
enthusiasts around the world.Good-natured
Gundogs
If Gundogs were originally
bred to hunt, are they
aggressive dogs?Utility dogs
Which dogs fall into the
Utility dog category?
T
he Utility group is a mix of breeds who
don’t fit comfortably into one of the other
groups. It’s a broad combination of big and
small breeds and dogs with short and long
coats. While most of the group’s members are
companion dogs today, many have at some
stage of the breeds’ development been working
dogs. Exercise, grooming, living conditions and
intelligence differ according to the breed.H
ounds are mostly even-tempered, loyal, sensitive, affectionate dogs who were bred
as hunting dogs, both for sport hunting and to put food on the table. Some Hounds
have an excellent olfactory sense for tracking and others have unique body shapes that
are built for speed, which enable them to pursue and secure their prey. Scenthounds, like
the Bloodhound and Beagle, use their noses to find their quarry, while sighthounds,
like the Afghan and the Whippet, use their sense of sight, speed and agility
to track and locate their targets. Hounds make
peaceable family pets who thrive on love and
companionship. Just as size and coat
types differ considerably in this group,
temperaments differ between
members of the group and the
individual breeds.Hardy Hounds
What are Hound dogs typically like?
The Yorkshire Terrier falls
in the Toy group, and not
in the Terrier group.DOGTA LK