By the Staff of 4Low Magazine
Are you a dog person? Many 4×4 enthusiasts are dog people – dogs are great companions, but you know that already. We see dogs everywhere, at competitions, on the trail, in the rigs. We also see responsible dog owners everywhere – carrying water and portable bowls for their 4-legged friends. People picking up after their pets is awesome; enjoying the outdoors with their furry friends is rewarding for the dogs, as well as their humans. We are a nation of dog lovers.
While many rehome and foster rescue dogs; adopt strays and find friends in the mixed-breed mutts; America is also the home of pure breed enthusiasts. Over the years, different breeds have become extremely popular; my first experience was seeing Collies and Irish Setters in many of my friends’ homes as a kid. Breeds like Rottweilers, Labs, Golden Retrievers, Pugs, and, now, the French Bulldogs have become more popular. Now, what does this have to do with the Man Cave? Well, the Man Cave features interests outside the wheeling realm, focusing on what many of us do outside the 4×4 lifestyle.
Let’s explore dogs and, more importantly, dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC breaks dog breeds into seven groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Let’s take a closer look at how these groups are defined.
Sporting: Breeds that have historically been used by hunters to locate, flush, or retrieve fowl from land or water. Breeds you’ll recognize include: Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Wirehaired Pointers, Golden Retrievers, Labs, and English Setters.
Hound: If a dog can track by scent, he probably belongs to the hound breed. Many family favorites fall here: Dachshund, Basset Hounds, Catahoula, Coonhounds, Foxhounds, Bloodhounds, and Beagles.
Working: working dog breeds perform practical tasks like drafting/pulling, guarding/protection, and rescues. These breeds want to work: Pinchers, Huskies, German Shepards, St. Bernards, Great Danes, Mastiffs, and Boxers are all working dogs.
Terrier: Dog breeds that were originally bred to hunt vermin, most burrow, but the longer-legged breeds can also dig. Breeds to watch for include Schnauzers, Pit Bulls, Scottish Terriers, Bostons, and Airedales
Toy: Very small dogs are considered toys. Breeds include Chihuahuas, Pugs, Poodles, Frenchies, Pekingese, and Maltese.
Non-Sporting: this is everything else that doesn’t fit in the other groups. They might be too big to be toys or not intended to work. Most make fabulous pets. Breeds include bulldog, Bichon Frise, Dalmatian, Chow, and Shar Pei.
Herding: Breeds used on the ranch or farm are necessary to keep the herds together; these breeds include Australian Shepherds, Collies, Sheepdogs, Corgis, Heelers, and Cattle dogs.
Most, if not all, of these groups have crossover depending on size and other traits within the breed, like different terriers or shepherds are found in other groups. For a complete list of dog breeds in each of the seven groups, please check out www.akc.org, and always enjoy your trail buddy!
