AKC Herding Group vs. Working Group

[GalomyOak]

Ugh. Non-sporting. I have never fully understood that group...most of the dogs have no real purpose, other than to be companions. Others (like the dalmation) had a working purpose, and still others were actually SPORTING dogs - like the poodle and the Lundehund. Most it seems...AKC just didn't know where to put them, or they became very disillusioned from their original purpose (like the show poodle!). Vlcaks were bred for (even if maybe not 100% successful in their purpose) for work though...so...

[yukidomari]

Originally Posted by GalomyOak

Ugh. Non-sporting. I have never fully understood that group...most of the dogs have no real purpose, other than to be companions. Others (like the dalmation) had a working purpose, and still others were actually SPORTING dogs - like the poodle and the Lundehund. Most it seems...AKC just didn't know where to put them, or they became very disillusioned from their original purpose (like the show poodle!). Vlcaks were bred for (even if maybe not 100% successful in their purpose) for work though...so...

Never really 'got' that group either, and the name is really not descriptive or helpful. I see a few companion dogs but like you said there are also a bunch of dogs that were/are working or sporting heritage, including Shiba for flushing/hunting, the Schip an all-purpose dog, Dals and Poodles, the Lundies though I guess their job is obsolete now, I mean, heck, even the Bulldog was purpose bred up until their current manifestation.

Our breed does originally have working purpose among other things but their uses and strengths seem as diverse to me as the dogs placed in non-sporting.

But I don't think besides me there is anyone who is thinking of anything other than Working or Herding, is there?

[Jennin Lauma]

Originally Posted by yukidomari

But I don't think besides me there is anyone who is thinking of anything other than Working or Herding, is there?

Well, I think I see your point.
Maybe it would help in breeding dogs that TRULY correspond to what is said in their standards to be their purpose/function, if the placement into a particular FCI/AKC groub should be EARNED.
-I.e. to be placed in the herding group for example, a certain number of individuals of a breed should annually pass a herding test. If that is not to happen, then the breed would be removed to another group that better describes it's characteristics and purpose.
In the long run this would propably devide many breeds into several different types/breeding lines that should eventually be placed in different groups...
-but isn't that allready happened/happening in many breeds??!!

[yukidomari]

Originally Posted by Jennin Lauma

Well, I think I see your point.
Maybe it would help in breeding dogs that TRULY correspond to what is said in their standards to be their purpose/function, if the placement into a particular FCI/AKC groub should be EARNED.
-I.e. to be placed in the herding group for example, a certain number of individuals of a breed should annually pass a herding test. If that is not to happen, then the breed would be removed to another group that better describes it's characteristics and purpose.
In the long run this would propably devide many breeds into several different types/breeding lines that should eventually be placed in different groups...
-but isn't that allready happened/happening in many breeds??!!

That's what I mean. For example, why is the Great Dane or Mastiff still in "Working Group"? To me that's way misleading.. I understand it's a matter of tradition and history but the way I see it it should also be how the breed is applicable in contemporary times.

[tupacs2legs]

Quick to learn, these intelligent, capable animals make solid companions. Their considerable dimensions and strength alone, however, make many working dogs unsuitable as pets for average families. And again, by virtue of their size alone, these dogs must be properly trained."

Working group imo