Small Dog Classes – Part 2

Part two of this article on small dog breed types looks at small dogs in the terrier, non-sporting, herding, and toy groups.

Terrier Dogs

Terriers were bred for the hunt – rabbits, foxes, rats, and even badgers, otters, and river rats. Rather than the hunters of old, most terriers today are bought as pets. And with their loyal and affectionate personalities, they make great pets. However, they are dogs with strong personalities, and they need equally strong and persistent owners. This is even true of the small, toy terriers – their personalities are just the same as their larger terrier cousins. Terriers also have an abundance of energy, so you’ll need to exercise them a fair bit. They have wiry coats, and they have particular grooming needs in order to maintain that characteristic wiriness.

If you’re after a small dog, you’re spoilt for choice in the terrier group. The small dog breeds are: the Manchester Terrier, Border Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Australian Terrier, Irish Terrier, Norwich Terrier and Norfolk Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Bedlington Terrier dog breed, Sealyham Terrier, and Scottish Terrier.

Toy Dogs

Toy dogs are amongst the most well known of the small dogs, due to their popularity with celebrities and people alike. There are actually toy dogs in some of the other dog categories as well. Many large dogs have in fact been bred down to toy dog size.

Toy dogs are friendly, though they can be angry and fierce as well. But they are great lap dogs, and often a cherished member of the family. Toy dogs include: Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature Poodle, the Papillon, Chihuahua, and the Pomeranian dog breed.

Non-Sporting Dogs

“Non-sporting dogs” is something of a general classification for those breeds that are recognized by the American Kennel Club but don’t fit into any other group. They have varying sizes, coats, colors, temperaments, and ancestry. Small breeds in the non-sporting group include: the bichon frise, Boston Terrier, Tibetan Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Schipperke, and the French Bulldog.

Herding Dogs

Herding dogs are a fairly recent classification in the American Kennel Club. The breeds in this group used to be part of the working group. And, in many breed registrars in other countries they are still part of the working group, as a sub-category. In the American Kennel Club, most dogs in this group are kept as pets, although working (and herding) dogs are still used worldwide on farms, cattle stations, and ranches due to their talents in herd livestock. They can be trained to respond to specific commands and whistles, and perform a variety of herding related tasks particularly well. When herding dogs are pets, the herding instinct still remains. They generally express it by gently herding their humans, especially if there are any kids in the family.

In the herding group, the small dog breeds are the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Shetland Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and the Border Collie. 

Miscellaneous Dogs

This category is for dog breeds not fully accredited by AKC. There aren’t any small dogs in it currently, however.