Non-Sporting Group Dogs Are a Gang of Misfits
Some dogs don’t fit neatly into a specific category. For those dogs, the American Kennel Club created the Non-Sporting Group. The breeds in the Non-Sporting Group vary in size, coat, personality, and overall appearance. Most of these dogs have little in common with each other.
Some, like the Schipperke and Tibetan Spaniel, are relatively rare. Others, however, like the Poodle and Lhasa Apso, are widespread. The group also includes one of the most popular breeds globally, the Bulldog.
Non-Sporting Group Dogs
American Eskimo Dog The name American Eskimo Dog is very misleading. The dog has no connection with Eskimos and did not originate on the American Continent. Due to resentment against Germany during the First World War, the breed’s name was changed from German Spitz to American Spitz and then to American Eskimo Dog. There are three size variations of this breed: toy (9-12 inches), miniature (12-15 inches), and standard (15-19 inches).
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Bichon Friese The Bichon Friese is a happy little companion dog with a curly white coat that sometimes has cream, buff, or apricot markings. They probably originated from the Canary Islands and were developed further in Belgium and France.
They are great all-around family pets and get along well with other animals.
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Boston Terrier The Boston Terrier is the mascot of Boston University and the official dog of Massachusetts. You probably guessed that the breed comes from Boston. Its coat is white, usually with black markings, although some are brindle or seal. It is a perky and friendly companion dog. |
Bulldog
The Bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are easy-going, some might say lazy but are always up for a brisk walk. They sometimes think they are lapdogs, even those that top 50 pounds. Bulldogs are calm and friendly despite being bred for the blood sport of bull-baiting. |
Chinese Shar-Pei The Chinese Shar-Pei is a dog-fighting breed, and you will need thoroughly socialize it at an early age. Otherwise, it might be a dangerous dog to own. The Shar-Pei is usually calm, but it may aggressively attack if it feels threatened. The Shap-Pei is easy to recognize because of its deep wrinkles. |
Chow Chow The Chow Chow has a thick fur coat and a lion-like ruff around its neck and face. They are intelligent, and almost house train themselves. They keep themselves clean and seldom have any body odor. The Chow Chow may be aloof with strangers, but they are loyal and affectionate to their family members. |
Coton de Tulear The Coton de Tulear is a small, fun-loving family companion dog with a white coat as soft as cotton, or in French, “coton.” These happy little dogs have a long lifespan and will spend their lives devoted to their families. The Coton de Tulear also loves meeting new people. They came from the island nation of Madagascar. |
Dalmatian Because of its spots, the Dalmatian is one of the more recognizable breeds. The 1961 Disney movies drew a lot of attention to the breed. During the days that fire-fighting equipment was horse-drawn, Dalmatians were used to protect the horses, particularly in the United States. Consequently, one of its nicknames is “Firehouse Dogs.” |
Finnish Spitz The national dog of Finland, the Finnish Spitz is a hunter of all kinds of prey. Its job is to bark when it spots a game animal rather than pointing or sitting. They are playful and do very well in a family situation with children. |
French Bulldog The French Bulldog is a trendy companion dog. The breed was developed in France by crossing the English Bulldog with local dog breeds, especially in Paris. Because they are companion dogs, they do not like being left alone. This member of the Non-Sporting Group is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. One of the distinguishing features of the French Bulldog is its bat-shaped ears. |
Keeshond The medium-sized Keeshond hails from Holland and is a spitz-type of dog. During its early career in Holland, it frequently rode on barges traveling the canals and rivers. They are playful, even-tempered, and make excellent pets for families with children. |
Lhasa Apso The Lhasa Apso was a sentinel dog for palaces and Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. It was to sound the alarm (bark) when they detected strangers. Why this dog is in the Non-Sporting group is a mystery. They are affectionate, cuddly, and make excellent lap dogs. They need regular grooming, whether you let their hair grow long or keep it in a puppy cut. |
Lowchen The Lowchen, German for “Little Lion Dog,” is a bichon and has been a famous dog in Europe for over 500 years. Its exact country of origin is not known. They live up to their names because they are small dogs with the courage of a lion. This member of the Non-Sporting Group is a friendly, happy dog that does well with children. |
Norwegian Lundehund The Norwegian Lundehund is a small Spitz dog from Norway. It was bred to hunt puffin birds (Lunde is Norwegian for puffin). Lundehunsds have several unique traits. Most dogs have four toes. The Lundehund has six. Another unique characteristic is that they can fold their ears and turn their head and legs more than other dogs. They are friendly, happy dogs that do well with children. However, they may be shy around strangers. |
Poodle (Miniature and Standard) The Poodle comes in three sizes (small, medium, and large) or, more accurately, toy, miniature, and standard for AKC purposes. They are the same breed, the only distinction being the dog’s size. The Toy Poodle is in the Toy Group rather than the Non-Sporting Group. The Poodle is a genius dog and a trendy family pet. It might be challenging to believe, but the Poodle was once a hunting dog, particularly for birds. The Poodle coat comes in many colors, and they shed very little. There may not be a better family pet. (Smallest Poodle, the Toy, is in the Toy Group) |
Schipperke The Schipperke is a small dog from Belgium. They may have been bred to be ratters and watchdogs but are considered small shepherds in their home country. They are intelligent but also can be stubborn and may need firm training and socialization. The Schipperke is not aggressive to humans but may not get along well with other dogs. |
Shiba Inu The Shiba Inu is a small to medium-sized spitz-type dog from Japan. Sometimes confused with the larger Akita, the Shiba is a separate, distinct dog breed. These proud, good-natured dogs are the most popular companion dog in Japan. The Shiba Inu first appeared in the United States about 60 years ago. It is included in the Non-Sporting Group. |
Tibetan Spaniel The Tibetan Spaniel is an ancient breed that was a frequent resident in the monasteries of Tibet. They are highly prized companion dogs called “little lions.” Tibetan Spaniels are independent-minded and may not always come when called. They are not spaniels and are not hunting dogs as most spaniels are. The spaniel part of their name is a misnomer. So, it is in the Non-Sporting Group instead of the Hunting Group. |
Tibetan Terrier The Tibetan Terrier is not an actual Terrier or would be in the Terrier Group. It is an ancient breed that may have existed for over 2,000 years. It was called the “Holy Dog of Tibet” and was prevalent in Buddhist monasteries. This may be the oldest dog breed in the Non-Sporting Group. They are easy-going and affectionate family dogs. They can also compete in dog sporting events. |
Xoloitzcuintli The Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolo, is called the “Mexican Hairless Dog.” Like the Poodle, it comes in 3 sizes, toy, miniature, and standard. The Xoloitzcuintli is an ancient breed. It may date back 3,000 years to the Aztecs. This dog breed has two coat variations, one without hair and one with hair. This may be the most unusual dog included in the Non-Sporting Group. |
