What IS a Non-Sporting Dog?

[wordgirl]

I was just looking at the Non-Sporting group at AKC.org and was wondering what makes a dog a 'non-sporting' dog. ??? They had to have been bred for something. How come they can't fit in the other groups?

Anybody know?

 

[wordgirl]

I just looked at the breeds again. It's true, most of them don't seem to have a whole lot in common with the dogs in the other groups, but what does the term 'non-sporting' mean?

 

[roocrazy]

i belive not a racing or hunting dog

 

[justbugged]

It is a category for the breeds of dogs that don't fit into the other groups. So they often have very little in common with each other. They are mostly companion dogs, but many have multiple traits bred into them.

 

[wordgirl]

Quote:
That would make sense...but the standard poodle is a hunting dog, isn't it?

 

[keesmom]

When the AKC was first established there were only 2 groups - sporting and non-sporting. As more breeds were added they added new groups (herding, working, terrier, etc) and the non-sporting group was kept as a spot for the breeds that weren't bred for a specific purpose. Take keeshonden for example. In the past they made great multi purpose farm dogs. They're excellent watch dogs, able to do some carting, good at rodent control and like to think for themselves. These days they're best at being companions since most of the functions they once were used for no longer exist. I will say mine is a great watch dog and he helped save many a chicken in his time.

BTW, poodles should be in the sporting category.

 

[EweSheep]

Ohhhhhhhhh I love Kees! We used to have a pair of them! Love those fuzzy wuzzy faces!

One of the Kees we had was CH Dutchmans Tigger Too Too.......I do not know how popular he was but I would love to have more information on him. We only had him about two years and then we had to move to Louisiana and Mom sold Tigger to a breeder near Bloomington...Merry Dawn Kennels....we found out later, she may have been a puppy mill breeder. Mom was upset about that! I love Tigger and he was a character!

 

[keesmom]

Quote:
I will always be owned by Kees. My old guy is 13 now, sadly slowing down but doing fine for his age. He's much happier now that winter is here.

That name sounds familiar. I'll have to see where the Kees pedigree database has been moved to and look it up.

 

[michickenwrangler]

In GReat Britain, non-sporting dogs are called "Utility Dogs" which I think is just dry British humor for "Miscellaneous"

 

[vicki2x2]

Originally AKC started out with Sporting and Non-Sporting. Your dog was one or the other. Then they started adding the other groups. What was left over, stayed in the non sporting. Some dogs got stuck in there because AKC says they no longer do what they were originally bred for, while many say, that can be said of quite a few breeds. UKC's groups are split a little differently than AKC and I think, a little more accurately.

AKC Groups are: UKC Groups are:

Non-Sporting Companion
Herding Herding
Terrier Terrier
Hound Scenthound
Toy Sighthound & Pariah
Working Guardian Dog
Sporting Gun Dog
Miscellaneous Northern Breeds