What Was My Breed Bred For?

Ever wonder why your Golden Retriever keeps stealing socks? Your Aussie won’t stop chasing your kids around like Sheep? Or your German Shepherd Dog always barks at new people at the front door? Believe it or not, these breeds were originally bred to do more than just cuddle up on the couch with you all day.

Dogs were originally bred for a specific job (Sometimes multiple jobs), or reasons. Each breed attains their own set of unique characteristics, even typical play styles. Figuring out what your breed was bred for may not solve all your dog's behavioral issues, but it can certainly help in the way you care, play with and manage your dog. Today, there are 200 recognized breeds thru The American Kennel Club.

Let's first take a look at where dogs originated from. Although some scientist believe humans started domestication dogs as early as 40,000 years ago, National Geographic says, "Sometime between 10,000 and 32,000 years ago, humans began domesticating wolves, possibly somewhere in Southeast Asia, according to research on mitochondrial DNA, which is passed from mother to offspring."

So Why Is That Important To Remember? Dogs still have natural desires such as Prey and Pack Drive much like a wolf would... Such as chewing, digging, and chasing fluffy animals (Prey Drive). But also the need for Pack Structure and Social Relationships.

So How Did A Wolf Become a Man's Best Friend? The full truth is still unknown to scientist. But many believe, and are researching that it started with a friendlier wolf with a special gene, that passed that friendly gene down to their offspring.

The New York Times Wrote an article about this Topic. They Shared, "A team of researchers reported in the journal Science Advances that the friendliness of dogs may share a genetic basis with a human disease called Williams-Beuren syndrome... Adam Boyko, a biologist who studies dog genetics at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, called the work “truly interesting and important” and said it “may be one of the first studies to ever identify the specific genetic variants that were important for turning wolves into dogs.”

This friendly gene may be what sets dogs apart from not only wolves, but other species alike.

Below are 7 Main Categories of Different Jobs/Purposes why some breeds were bred, their characteristics, a few toy recommendations and any cautions about those breed types. Never leave your dog unattended with a flirt pole, ropes or any other toys that your dog can easily destroy and potentially swallow. Bully Sticks, Yak Chews and other chew-able items must be given only when monitored. Never give your dog a ball they can easily compress like a tennis ball. For more questions on toys, please read my other blog “What Toy Is Best For My Dog?” (Coming Soon)

Guard Dogs

It is believed, people started domesticating dogs to alert and protect settlements or camps. In exchange people would toss their scraps and bones to the dogs.

Today, Guard Dogs such as Great White Pyrenees are still bred to independently protect and defend their family, land, or livestock. Back in the day in Northern France, these dogs were also used to pull carts to transport milk.

Typical Characteristics? Independent, Loyal, Territorial, Averse to Strangers. These breeds thrive on consistency and structure. Traditionally can be harder to build engagement with, therefore can be harder to train.

Best Toys? Rope Toys, Soft Bones/ Chewing Toys

Likes Water? Typically, if they’ve had positive experiences

Best Outlet: Obedience Training, Hikes, Weight Pulling

Typical Play Style With Other Dogs? Chasing, Body Slamming

Watch for over arousal, rough play and resource guarding around other dogs.

Caution:

It’s extremely crucial to properly socialize these dogs at a young age. Lack of structure, socialization and a combination of boredom will lead to reactivity, possessiveness, excessive barking, destructive behaviors and even aggression.

Gun Dogs

Also known as bird dogs, First developed to work closely with hunters to track, flush, and /or retrieve game. The most common Hunting Dogs you'll still see today are Gun Dogs or Scent Hounds. If bored, your dog will find other outlets for this drive such as stealing items from your laundry basket, and chewing your furniture.

Retrievers - Retrieve Fallen Game

Pointers - Locate Game (Love to stare at birds)

Setters - Locate Game

Spaniels - Locate and Flush Game

Water Dogs, Poodles - Retrieve Game

Typical Characteristics? Eager to please, energetic, lovable

These breeds thrive on consistency and structure.

Likes Water? Typically Loves Water! And Doesn’t mind getting muddy

Best Outlet? Obedience Training, Dock Diving / Retrieval Games, Scent-Work Games, Hide and Seek Games, Hikes

Best Toys? Flirt pole, Rope toys, Water retrieval toys; West Paw, ChuckIt Amphibious Bumper Floating Toy. (Never leave your dog unattended with these toys)

Do not let these breeds jump or twist excessively high, especially before your dog’s growth plates fully develop. (Typically 18 months) It can lead to major hip and joint issues as they get older.

Typical Play Style With Other Dogs? Body slamming, neck biting, chasing

Watch for overarousal, monitor to ensure balanced play.

Caution: Breeds like Weimaraners, and Setters who have a deep chest, are more prone to developing Bloat. Which can be life threatening.

A Combination of boredom, and lack of structure can lead to reactivity, possessiveness, separation anxiety, excessive barking, destructive behaviors and even aggression.

Herding Dogs

Bred to help ranchers protect and move their livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle. If bored, your dog will find other outlets for this drive such as chasing and herding other animals and even young children. Their intelligence and ability to think for themselves means they can be quick to train, but also quick to learn bad habits if you are not consistent with them.

Cattle Dogs

Collies

Sheepdogs

Shepherds

Typical Characteristics? Strong Willed, Hardy, Energetic, Loyal

These breeds thrive on consistency and structure.

Sizes: Due to their diversity, herding breeds come in many sizes, and coat types. From the small heelers (who moved livestock by nipping at their heels) to the giant breeds who were used for herders and guarding.

Likes Water? Typically, if they’ve had positive experiences

Best Outlet: Agility and Obedience Training, Great at Trick Training

Best Toys: Flirt Poles and Jolly Balls, Food Puzzle Toys, Kongs, West Paw

Do not let these breeds jump or twist excessively high, especially before your dog’s growth plates fully develop. (Typically 18 months) It can lead to major hip and joint issues as they get older.

Typical Play Style with Other Dogs? Stalking, Neck Biting, Chasing

Watch for Stalking, over arousal and excessive barking. Intense staring can scare other dogs.

Caution: Breeds like German Shepherds are more prone to developing Bloat.

Boredom, and a lack of consistency, can lead to reactivity, possessiveness, excessive barking,separation anxiety, destructive behaviors and even aggression. Because these dogs were also used for guarding, it’s important to properly socialize these dogs at a young age.

Scent Hounds

Bred for helping hunters track by using their nose. Breeds such as Beagles, Coonhounds and Bloodhounds are intense trackers. These breeds excel at search and rescue.

Typical Characteristics? Independent, Active For A Long Period Of Time, Gentle

Typical Play Style? Chasing, Neck Biting, May Prefer Playing Alone

Avoid Playing with small fluffy dogs you don’t know due to predatory response

Likes Water? Bloodhounds enjoy their water and like to have a good long drink after exercise.

Best Outlet? Obedience, Scent Detection Games, Running Games,

Best Toys? Rope Toys, Chewing Toys, Food Puzzle Toys

Caution: If your dog finds a scent he likes, be prepared to be ignored. Without A proper recall (Or any solid training) your dog will be long gone.

Sight Hounds

Bred for helping hunters track game by sight, these breeds like the Irish Wolfhound and Gre