Choosing a Breed
At CanaDogs.ca, we believe that understanding something about the original purpose for which your dog was bred can go a long way towards predicting future behaviour and temperament. The 180+ breeds of dog recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club are divided into seven groups and one miscellaneous class. While every dog breed and individual dog has its own unique temperament and personality, each of the breeds of dogs grouped together have a similar function.
When choosing a breed, keep in mind that each breed of dog developed certain instinctive characteristics to enable them to do the job they were bred to do. Also keep in mind such factors as: how big will the adult dog get, the barking factor, digging, shedding and grooming, allergies, exercise requirements, common health problems, and the fit with your family (is it good with children, can it spend time alone). The better you honestly assess your lifestyle and needs, the better a potential pet will fit into your family and the happier people and dog will be!
Group 1 – Sporting Dogs
Sporting dogs were originally bred to find, flush out, and retrieve game birds on land and in water. This group is mostly made up of the pointer, setter, spaniel, and retriever families of dogs. They are intelligent hunting companions that are usually willing, trainable, playful, and very energetic. Some have been used as guide dogs. Sporting dogs vary in size with spaniels being the smallest, and are generally popular with children as pets. Most of these dogs need a lot of exercise and human companionship and may not be suitable in households where the people are gone all day.
*Listed Breeds* are still awaiting full Canadian Kennel Club recognition.
American Cocker Spaniel
American Water Spaniel
Barbet
Blue Picardy Spaniel
Brittany Spaniel
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Clumber Spaniel
Curly-coated Retriever
English Cocker Spaniel
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
Épagneul Français
Field Spaniel
Flat-coated Retriever
French Spaniel
Gascogne Braque Francais
German Long-haired Pointer
German Short-haired Pointer
German Wire-haired Pointer
Listed Breeds:
Braque d’Auvergne
Kleiner Munsterlander
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Irish Setter
Irish Red & White Setter
Irish Water Spaniel
Labrador Retriever
Lagotto Romagnolo
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Pointer
Pudelpointer
Pyrenees Braque Francais
Spinone Italiano
Sussex Spaniel
Vizsla (Smooth-haired)
Vizsla (Wire-haired)
Weimaraner
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Group 2 – Hounds
Hounds were bred for hunting/tracking people or game ranging from badgers, foxes, and rabbits to wolves and lions using their eyesight or sense of smell. They are independent characters used to working alone. Easily distracted by movement or interesting scents, they may be a training challenge as they are keen hunters. Sighthounds follow their prey by sight and can run like the wind. Scenthounds use their noses to track their prey. Hounds range in size from the tiny Dachshund to the massive Irish Wolfhound. Some of these dogs require minimal exercise while others need a large, enclosed running space.
*Listed Breeds* are still awaiting full Canadian Kennel Club recognition.
Afghan Hound
American Foxhound
Basenji
Basset Hound
Beagle
Black and Tan Coonhound
Bloodhound
Borzoi
Dachshund (Miniature Long-haired)
Dachshund (Miniature Smooth)
Dachshund (Miniature Wire-haired)
Dachshund (Standard Long-haired)
Dachshund (Standard Smooth)
Dachshund (Standard Wire-haired)
Drever
English Foxhound
Finnish Spitz
Greyhound
Harrier
Ibizan Hound
Irish Wolfhound
Norrbottenspets
Norwegian Elkhound
Norwegian Lundehund
Otterhound
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Pharaoh Hound
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Saluki
Scottish Deerhound
Shikoku
Whippet
Group 3 – Working Dogs
Working dogs are the guard and draft workers, originally bred to work alongside their humans. They have been used as sled dogs, guarding and protection dogs for livestock and people, and guiding and rescuing dogs. These dogs are territorial, strong, and confident and require a similarly strong-willed master. The dogs in this group were bred to work and they are happiest when they’ve got a job to do. This group of dogs includes many of the large and giant breeds. Many make excellent pets, being fiercely loyal and intelligent. However, for some, the demands of their size and protective instincts require careful consideration.
*Listed Breeds* are still awaiting full Canadian Kennel Club recognition.
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Bernese Mountain Dog
Black Russian Terrier
Boxer
Bullmastiff
Canaan Dog
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Doberman Pinscher
Entlebucher Sennenhund
Eurasier
Giant Schnauzer
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Listed Breeds:
Cane Corso
Dogue de Bordeaux
Group 4 – Terriers
Independent, spunky, tough, and determined, the terriers were bred to hunt rats and other vermin by going into their burrows after them. Tenacious terriers have also been used for guarding, pit fighting, and especially hunting small predators such as badgers, foxes, and rabbits. They are relentless and know no fear or pain when on the job. Terriers have been described as having “a big dog personality in a small dog body”. They are a high-activity dog and are therefore not for everyone. Terriers can be a boon for those with allergies as many of these dogs have wiry but non-shedding coats. Properly trained and socialized, they can make good house pets, but remember, they love to dig!
*Listed Breeds* are still awaiting full Canadian Kennel Club recognition.
Airedale Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Australian Terrier
Bedlington Terrier
Border Terrier
Bull Terrier
Bull Terrier (Miniature)
Cairn Terrier
Cesky Terrier
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Fox Terrier (Smooth)
Fox Terrier (Wire)
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Irish Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier
Listed Breeds:
Parson Russell Terrier
Russell Terrier (Jack Russell Terrier) – effective July 1, 2016
Lakeland Terrier
Manchester Terrier
Miniature Bull Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer
Norfolk Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Rat Terrier
Scottish Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
Skye Terrier
Smooth Fox Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Welsh Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Wire Fox Terrier
Group 5 – Toys
Miniature dogs did not evolve naturally. They were bred by people as pets, to be companions and lap dogs. Due to their small size, they are sensitive to extremes of heat and cold and rely on human care to survive. Toys require minimal exercise and are long lived, affectionate and adaptable. They make an ideal pet in situations where keeping any other dog would seem impossible. Toys range in size from approximately one pound to eighteen pounds. They can be very highly strung and may not be suitable in households with boisterous young children.
*Listed Breeds* are still awaiting full Canadian Kennel Club recognition.
Group 6 – Non-Sporting Dogs
This group has the largest variety of dogs as it functions as a collection of breeds that are hard to classify in one of the other groups. They may be dogs that used to perform vital tasks that are no longer required such as the Dalmatian. They may be sporting dogs like the Bulldog used years ago in the now-illegal game of bull-baiting. Many of these dogs were companions or watch dogs. With such a variety of animals, this group has likely got something for everyone.
*Listed Breeds* are still awaiting full Canadian Kennel Club recognition.
American Eskimo Dog (Miniature)
American Eskimo Dog (Standard)
Bichon Frise
Boston Terrier
Bulldog
Chinese Shar-Pei
Chow Chow
Dalmatian
French Bulldog
German Pinscher
Japanese Spitz
Keeshond
Lhasa Apso
Lowchen
Miniature Poodle
Schipperke
Shiba Inu
Shih Tzu
Standard Poodle
Tibetan Spaniel
Tibetan Terrier
Xoloitzcuintli (Miniature)
Xoloitzcuintli (Standard)
Group 7 – Herding Dogs
Developed mainly as sheep and cattle herders (who keep the flock together) or drovers (who drive them to market), the dogs in this group have worked alongside their humans for centuries. They are very intelligent and make natural watchdogs. They vary in size from small to large and many have thick, double coats that protect them in all sorts of weather. These breeds are popular as pets because of their obedience and willingness to work. These animals are active dogs who love to work and are eager to please. Owners must be prepared to find channels for their abundant energy. Remember, these dogs will herd anything – even the kids – if they have nothing else to do.
*Listed Breeds* are still awaiting full Canadian Kennel Club recognition.
Australian Cattle Dog
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Australian Kelpie
Australian Shepherd
Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
Bearded Collie
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Belgian Sheepdog)
Berger des Pyrenees
Berger Picard
Bouvier des Flandres
Briard
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Collie (Rough)
Collie (Smooth)
Dutch Sheepdog (Schapendoes)
Finnish Lapphund
German Shepherd Dog
Listed Breeds:
Beauceron
Border Collie
Lancashire Heeler
Miniature American Shepherd
Tatra Sheepdog
Iceland Sheepdog
Mudi
Norwegian Buhund
Old English Sheepdog
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Polish Owczarek Nizinny
(Polish Lowland Sheepdog)
Portuguese Sheepdog
Puli
Rough Collie
Schapendoes (Dutch Sheepdog)
Shetland Sheepdog
Smooth Collie
Spanish Water Dog
Swedish Vallhund
Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)
Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)
Not Recognized
This group consists of many different and rare breeds of dog that are not sufficiently well known to have gained recognition by the Canadian Kennel Club. They are all different shapes and sizes, and have various breed purposes. Many are from other countries such as France, Argentina, and the Canary Islands. These breeds are largely unfamiliar to North Americans but have a devoted and loyal following of breed fanciers and clubs.
*Listed Breeds* are still awaiting full Canadian Kennel Club recognition.
Akbash Dog
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
American Bulldog
American Pit Bull Terrier
Australian Koolie
Biewer
Black Mouth Cur
Bolognese
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Caucasian Ovcharka
Chart Polski
Croatian Sheepdog
Deutsch-Drahthaar
Dogo Argentino
Dogo Canario
Dutch Shepherd
English Shepherd
Fila Brasileiro
German Coolie
Perro de Presa Canario
Picardy Spaniel
Porcelaine
Presa Canario
Russo-European Laika
Sarplaninac (Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog)
St. Hubert Jura Laufhund
Shiloh Shepherd
Silken Windhound
Sloughi
South African Boerboel
Spanish Mastiff
Swiss Hound
Tenterfield Terrier
Tosa Inu
Translyvanian Hound
Wachtelhund