So what is a common dog type? To really know what a common dog type is, let’s look at a few of the more popular definitions. A common dog type is a specific breed or type which has been purposefully bred by humans for specific purposes, such as hunting, herding, and guarding. This can range from coat thickness, to strength, to intelligence, to athletic ability, to any combination of these qualities. Some examples of common dog types include Doberman Pinchers, Fox Terriers, Basset Hounds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Weimer Spaniels, Beagles, and Poodles.
The most common American foxhound is the Wire Fox Terrier. The American foxhound was developed from the cross between an American Greyhound and a Wire Fox Terrier. Because of their strong, athletic build and long-haired coat, they are often used as hunting dogs. As they have strong predatory instincts, foxes can be dangerous if improperly raised. Proper socialization and training from an early age is essential to ensuring the safety of your dog.
The next most common breed, which is frequently misunderstood is the Borzoi. Originally from Borkistan in Europe, the name for this breed was derived from a story about St. Brighid, the Danish king who supposedly sported a sharp-toothed grin like a borzoi. Because of their appearance, this breed was also called “stumpy” or “four-legs”. Today’s borzoi still possess those characteristics, but their coat is much longer and softer, resulting in a more well-groomed and mannered dog.
Many new breeds have been developed over the years, but none has yet achieved the recognition of the United Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC classifications for standard breeds is based on many scientific principles, including the genetic structure of modern breeds. The most commonly recognized dog breeds are those which show evidence of several selected genetic qualities, including: sporting ability, resistance to disease, adaptability, temperament and sociability.
A significant contribution to the development of some dog breeds was the practice of inter-breeding, in which different breeds were crossed together to produce a hybrid product that had both physical and behavioral traits of both parent breeds. Through careful selection, sometimes only one out of every pair of crosses was allowed to live on to adulthood. Although the practice of inter-breeding resulted in some undesirable traits, it also generated numerous new breed representatives. The AKC recognizes fifteen recognized dog breeds, including the non-sporting All American AKC (agles, boars, collies, elk and wolves) and the decorative Equine AKC (rabbits, gazelles, mongoose and partridge).
The hunting dog breeds often serve a vital purpose in our country’s hunting efforts. Some, like the hound, track and field dog, serve a more traditional function. They retrieve game by scenting it or by tracking it, then taking it to the hunting area, where they find the game, kill it and bring it back as a game. Other hunting dog breeds, including the spaniels, are used for tracking and herding purposes. However, today’s hunting dog breeds are highly intelligent and can be taught to do many tasks besides retrieve or track.
Some breeds are more suited than others for hunting, depending upon the objectives of the hunting trip. In the West, many hunters prefer dogs that are compact and agile enough to track and trap animals in the brush. These types of dogs may come in the Sporting Group or the Non-Sporting group, depending on their type. Other types of dogs that are used for hunting are the gun dog, which have a high level of ability and instinctive knowledge of how to fire a gun and get downrange quickly, and the scent hounds who are training to track and find lost or wounded individuals. The American bulldog is also an excellent choice for gun dogs because of its size and power, but it is not the type of dog breeds that should be used for hunting if you are not an experienced hunter.
The final type of dog breeds that are commonly used for hunting are the retrievers, who are best suited for tracking or retrieving. Unlike other dog breeds, retrievers are extremely acrobatic and agile, able to move at a rate of speed faster than most. The hunt is not the only reason to own a retriever. They are excellent with children and easily become family pets. Retrievers are also very loyal and can make an excellent companion to any family.