Most purebred dogs are separated into some type of group that is recognized by the American kennel club and other organizations. The specific dogs that are included in those groups may differ from one of those organizations to another and at times, they may not even include a group in their listings. One of the dog groups that are used by many kennel clubs is the non-sporting group, and it is a rather diverse collection of canines.
The non-sporting group is recognized by both the American kennel club and the Canadian kennel club. When you look at most of the groups that are recognized by those organizations, you will see that the majority of the dogs meet certain criteria or of a similar ancestry. In other cases, they may have different traits or can be utilized in specific jobs. That is not the case with the non-sporting group. As a matter of fact, some of the dogs in this group are so diversified and different from each other, it is amazing that they are included in the same lump.
When you take a look at some of the other groups, such as hounds, herding or sporting, you see that those dogs are classified for a very specific reason. In most cases, their natural abilities follow the logic of the name of the group. There are many dogs, however, which are purebred and enjoy a rather specific distinction but they don’t necessarily fit into other groups. For example, the bichon frise is in the non-sporting group, as is the bulldog and the Dalmatian. These dogs are as different as night and day when you compare them to each other.
Of course, just because they are in somewhat of a nondescript group does not necessarily mean that they don’t have a specific purpose or were bred for a reason. As an example, some of the dogs in the non-sporting group were bred for royalty and were basically a smaller lapdog that had relatively low energy levels. Other dogs within the group may work well as family companions or perhaps even as guard dogs for the home.
The personality of the dogs that fall into non-sporting group are also quite diverse as well. Some dogs, such as those that were bred for royalty, are perfect for those who live in an apartment and may not have the ability to exercise a dog regularly. Others love to run outdoors and still others may be good ratters or are quite alert to what is going on around them. If you are going to choose a breed from this group, it is important for you to do your research in advance so that you understand the basic characteristics of the breed.
Although there are many differences between the dogs in the non-sporting group, there is one thing that they all have in common. They were bred for specific purposes and, although those purposes may be different, the breeds often enjoy a long history.