The Herding breeds are livestock-oriented, although they are versatile in protecting and serving humans in other ways. Herding breeds are intelligent and lively, making fine family pets or obedience competitors. Dogs were first used to assist sheepherders in the 1570s, but other varieties were bred for different herding tasks. Herding breeds are quick and agile, able to work on any terrain, and well-suited for short bursts of high speed. These dogs, even the compact breeds, are strong and muscular, possessing proud carriage of head and neck. Herding dogs perceive even the slightest hand signals and whistle commands to move a flock or seek out strays.

Selected breeds of herding dogs

	name	origin	height in inches* dogs (bitches)	weight in pounds* dogs (bitches)	characteristics	comments
*1 inch = 2.54 centimetres; 1 pound = 0.454 kilogram
	Australian Cattle Dog	Australia	18–20 (17–19)	35–45 (same)	sturdy, compact body; moderately short, weather-resistant coat	bred from several breeds, including dingoes and Dalmatians
	Australian Shepherd	U.S.	20–23 (18–21)	35–70 (same)	medium-sized; lithe and agile; moderate-length coat; bobbed tail	descended from shepherd dogs of Basque region (Spain/France)
	Bearded Collie	Scotland	21–22 (20–21)	40–60 (same)	medium-sized; muscular body; shaggy, harsh outercoat	dates to the 1500s
	Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael)	Belgium	24–26 (22–24)	50–60 (same)	well-muscled, square body; erect ears; black coat	used during World War I as message carriers and ambulance dogs; three other varieties
	Border Collie	England	19–22 (18–21)	31–50 (same)	medium-sized; muscular, athletic build; numerous colours with various combinations of patterns and markings	world's outstanding sheep herder; possesses hypnotic stare used to direct herds
	Bouvier des Flandres	Belgium/France	23.5–27.5 (23.5–26.5)	88 (same)	rugged, compact body; rough coat; blocky head with mustache and beard	natural guard dog, often used in military settings
	Cardigan Welsh Corgi	Wales	10–12 (same)	25–38 (25–34)	long, low body and tail; deep chest; large, prominent ears	not as prevalent as its Pembroke counterpart
	Collie (rough)	Scotland	24–26 (22–24)	60–75 (50–65)	lithe body; deep, wide chest; abundant coat, especially on mane and frill	also smooth variety with short coat
	German Shepherd	Germany	24–26 (22–24)	75–95 (same)	well-muscled, long body; erect ears; long muzzle	one of the most-recognized dog breeds
	Old English Sheepdog	England	minimum 22 (minimum 21)	55+ (same)	compact, square body; profuse, shaggy coat	loud, distinctive bark
	Pembroke Welsh Corgi	Wales	10–12 (same)	25–38 (same)	low-set body, not as long as Cardigan; docked tail	popular with British royalty; smallest herding dog
	Puli	Hungary	17 (16)	30 (same)	medium-sized; long, coarse coat that forms cords	named for Puli Hou (“Destroyer Huns”)
	Shetland Sheepdog	Scotland	13–16 (same)		small-sized; long, rough coat, especially abundant on mane and frill	traces to the Border Collie; excels in obedience competitions

Some Herding breeds drive the flock by barking, circling, and nipping at the heels, while others simply confront the flock with a silent stare, which also proves effective.

Herding dogs serve other functions. These breeds are excellent guards, used in the military and law enforcement, or for personal protection. Herding dogs are among those with the closest relationship to humans.

Toys

The Toy group is composed of those canines that were bred specifically to be companion animals. They were developed to be small, portable, and good-natured, the sort of dog that ladies of the court could carry with them. These dogs were largely pampered and treasured by aristocracy around the world. Several of these breeds come from ancient lineage. The Pekingese and the Japanese Chin were owned by royalty. No one else was permitted to own one of these breeds. They were carefully bred and nurtured, and until the mid-20th century they were not allowed to be exported out of their countries of origin. In England the cavalier King Charles spaniel, a bred-down version of a sporting spaniel, was the favourite pet of many royal families. Cavaliers, while popular in the United States, are not registered with the AKC, but their close cousins, the English toy spaniels, are. Toy poodles also belong to this group.

Selected breeds of toy dogs

	name	origin	height in inches* dogs (bitches)	weight in pounds* dogs (bitches)	characteristics	comments
*1 inch = 2.54 centimetres; 1 pound = 0.454 kilogram
	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	England	12–13 (same)	13–18 (same)	moderately long coat with feathering on ears, chest, tail, and legs; large, round eyes	most popular toy dog in England
	Chihuahua	Mexico	5 (same)	maximum 6 (same)	large, erect ears; coats are either short and smooth or long and soft with fringing	smallest recognized dog breed
	Chinese Crested	China	11–13 (same)	5–10 (same)	two coat types: hairless (except for tufts on head, feet, and tail) and powderpuff (long, silky coat)	possesses a harefoot that can grasp and hold objects
	Maltese	Malta	5 (same)	4–7 (same)	long, silky, white coat; sturdy build	noted for its fearlessness
	Papillon	France/Belgium	8–11 (same)	maximum 11 (same)	fine-boned and dainty; long, silky coat	named for ears that resemble butterfly wings
	Pekingese	China	6–9 (same)	maximum 14 (same)	long, coarse coat with heavy feathering; black-masked face with short muzzle	considered sacred in ancient China
	Pomeranian	Germany	6–7 (same)	3–7 (same)	cobby body; abundant double coat; small, erect ears	descended from sled dogs of Iceland and Lapland
	Pug	China	10–11 (same)	14–18 (same)	square, cobby body; massive head; tightly curled tail; wrinkled face and neck	miniature Mastiff
	Shih Tzu	Tibet	10 (same)	9–16 (same)	sturdy build; long, flowing coat; proud carriage	considered a non-sporting dog in Canada
	Yorkshire Terrier	England	8–9 (same)	maximum 7 (same)	long, silky coat, parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail, hanging straight down each side of the body	also called Yorkie; noted for its independent nature

The miniature pinscher resembles the Doberman pinscher but in fact is of quite different legacy. This perky little dog has a particularly distinctive gait, found in no other breed. Its standard calls for a hackney gait, such as that found in carriage horses. Other members of the Toy group are equally individual in their looks and personalities, making this the most diverse group. They make ideal apartment or small-house pets and are found ranging from hairless (the Chinese crested) to the profusely coated Pekingese or Shih tzu. In general, however, Toy breeds are alert and vigorous dogs. They are fine-boned and well-balanced, often considered graceful animals.

Non-Sporting dogs

The Non-Sporting group is a catchall category for those breeds that do not strictly fit into any other group. (Arguments could be made for assigning some of these breeds to other groups. The Dalmatian, for instance, could be a Working dog, as it is in England.) This group includes the appealing bichon frise, the bulldog, the poodles (standard and miniature), and the Chinese shar-pei. All have unique histories, many quite ancient. Other Asian representatives are the Tibetan spaniel and the Tibetan terrier—neither of which are true spaniels or terriers—the chow chow, and the Lhasa apso. Non-Sporting is also the category for the Finnish spitz, the Keeshond, the French bulldog, and the schipperke. All the Non-Sporting breeds are of small to medium build with sturdy and balanced frames, often squarelike. The chow chow, French bulldog, and the Dalmatian are among the more muscular breeds in this group. In general, Non-Sporting dogs are alert and lively.

Selected breeds of nonsporting dogs
*1 inch = 2.54 centimetres; 1 pound = 0.454 kilogram
	name	origin	height in inches* dogs (bitches)	weight in pounds* dogs (bitches)	characteristics	comments
	Bichon frise	Mediterranean region	9–12 (same)	N/A	small, sturdy body; white, loosely curled coat that resembles powderpuff; plumed tail	depicted in paintings by Francisco de Goya
	Boston terrier	U.S.	15–17 (same)	15–25 (same)	compact body; short tail and head; brindle, seal, or black with white markings	one of the few dog breeds that originated in the U.S.
	Bulldog	England	13–15 (same)	50 (40)	medium-sized; low-slung body; large head with protruding lower jaw	originally bred to fight bulls
	Chinese shar-pei	China	18–20 (same)	45–60 (same)	medium-sized; loose skin and wrinkles covering head, neck, and body; broad muzzle	dates to about 200 BC; originally a fighting dog
	Chow chow	China	17–20 (same)	45–70 (same)	powerful, square body; large head; blue-black tongue	one of the oldest recognized dog breeds; rough- and smooth-coat varieties
	Dalmatian	Croatia	19–23 (same)	50–55 (same)	white with black or liver-brown spots; strong, muscular build	puppies are born solid white and develop spots as they age
	Keeshond	The Netherlands	18 (17)	55–66 (same)	stand-off coat, thick around neck; plumed tail curled on back; small, pointed ears	national dog of Holland; named for 18th-century Dutch patriot
	Lhasa apso	Tibet	10–11 (slightly smaller)	13–15 (same)	small-sized; heavy, straight coat that extends over eyes; well-feathered tail carried on back	token of good luck in ancient China
	Poodle (standard)	possibly Germany	minimum 15 (same)	45–70 (same)	small, square body; dense, curly coat often clipped in a variety of patterns	national dog of France; also toy and miniature varieties
	Schipperke	Belgium	11–13 (10–12)	maximum 18 (same)	cobby body; docked tail; black coat; foxlike face	considered one of the best house dogs

There is no comparable classification in Britain, although all these breeds, except for the Boston terrier, are found in other groups. The Boston terrier (not a true terrier although it once contained terrier blood) is one of the few native American dogs. (The others are the Alaskan Malamute, the beagle, the American foxhound, the Chesapeake Bay retriever, and the American cocker spaniel, all found in other groups.)

Breed standards

Purebred dogs are distinguished from mixed-breed animals because their genetic structure allows them to reproduce themselves generation after generation. Every breed that is registered with a national registry, such as the American Kennel Club or the Kennel Club of England, must have a “standard” for that breed. The standard is the blueprint by which a breed is evaluated. It describes the characteristics that make a particular breed unique. Standards were developed by fanciers who wanted to perpetuate a particular line or strain and who formed associations to foster certain breeds. It is the goal of most purebred-dog fanciers to breed dogs that best represent the ideal qualities for the breed as described by the standard. Standards outline requirements for physical traits and behavioral or “personality” traits.