The appearance and variety of existing dog breeds is a merit not so much of evolutionary processes as long-term (over millennia) painstaking breeding work. Since primitive selection, which began about 12 thousand years ago, traits beneficial to man were being fixed and developed in dogs.
Now it is difficult to find signs of an ancient wolf, who became the progenitor of all dogs, in a tiny toy Terrier or seventy kilogram Neapolitan Mastiff. The external similarity between the representatives of this species is often completely absent. However, there are a number of features that can combine several breeds into one group.
For this purpose professional dog handlers, judges and experts on working qualities use the unified classification developed by the International Cynological Federation. According to it, all modern breed dogs are combined in 10 groups. Systematization is made on the basis of following criteria – scope, similarity on type and origin.
Official classification is quite difficult to understand for ordinary dog owners. So there are alternative ways to combine several species into one group.
The easiest way is to make a division based on the working qualities of the animal. According to this criterion all breeds can be divided into two groups:
Decorative. Dogs, not intended for doing any work, either have lost workplace of appointment. Instead, they can dress up in designer clothes, drive to SPA treatments and pick up jewelry and special cosmetics for them. They require home maintenance and tender care. They differ with playful temper, strongly attached to the owner. They are used as companions and home pets. Decorative breeds include: Pekingese, Chihuahua, toy Terrier, Griffin, toy Spaniel, small molossoids, sharpey.
Hunting. They have sharp vision, developed sense of smell and good physical data, and characterized by high physical activity. They are subdivided into groups, bred for various tasks-the pursuit of the beast on the trail, baiting fur-bearing animals, lifting and tray birds. These dogs can become good companions thanks to their friendliness. Hunting breeds include retrievers, dachshunds, greyhounds, setters, Terriers, cops.