Non-Sporting Breeds are a classification for dogs recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club). The American Kennel Club’s inception was more than a hundred years ago. Back then, all breeds took on classification as either Sporting or Non-Sporting.
Non-Sporting Breeds Uses
Later, as time went on they added more groups, many of the breeds got moved out of the Non-Sporting Group. Ultimately, the group became a dumping ground for all the dogs that didn’t seem to fit in anywhere else.
The dogs that make up the AKC’s Non-Sporting Group contrast considerably when it comes to size, type, and lineage. Non-Sporting Breeds come from a wide assortment of backgrounds, making it difficult to generalize about them.
A few Non-Sporting Breeds such as the Chinese Shar-Pei, Tibetan Spaniel, and Lhasa Apso, are known to be some of the world’s oldest dogs. Traditionally they were mainly used as guard dogs.
Also, the Dalmatian, Bulldog, Keeshond, and Schipperke, were developed to do jobs that for the most part no longer exist.
However, some dogs still periodically perform the first jobs that breeders created them for such as the water-retrieving Standard Poodles. Just like the breeds that were bred to perform specific tasks.
Also, they’re those that were produced specially to be companions, such as the Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, and Bichon Frise.
All Non-Sporting Breeds are bred to interact with humans in some volume; although their personalities differ somewhat due to their various ancestry.
All dogs in this group are not socializers, but they’re known for their outstanding loyalty and dedication to their owners.
However, there are those in this Group that are outgoing, such as the Standard and Miniature Poodles and the Bichon Frise. Also, the Tibetan Terrier and the Chow Chow are naturally serene.
Then there are those that are incredibly energetic, such as the Dalmatian and others like the Lhasa Apso, which requires extensive grooming and are high maintenance.
| American Eskimo Dog | Bichon Frise | Boston Terrier | Bulldog |
| Chinese Shar-Pei | Chow Chow | Coton de Tulear | Dalmatian |
| Finnish Spitz | French Bulldog | Keeshond | Lhasa Apso |
| Lowchen | Norwegian Lundehund | Standard & Miniature Poodle | Schipperke |
| Shiba Inu | Tibetan Spaniel | Tibetan Terrier | Xoloitzcuintli |