Dog Breed Profiles
Non Sporting Dogs
The Non-Sporting group is a catchall category for those breeds that do not strictly fit into any other group. (Arguments could be made for assigning some of these breeds to other groups. The Dalmatian, for instance, could be a Working dog, as it is in England.) This group includes the appealing bichon frise, the bulldog, the poodles (standard and miniature), and the Chinese shar-pei. All have unique histories, many quite ancient. Other Asian representatives are the Tibetan spaniel and the Tibetan terrier--neither of which are true spaniels or terriers - the chow chow, and the Lhasa apso. Non-Sporting is also the category for the Finnish spitz, the Keeshond, the French bulldog, and the schipperke. All the Non-Sporting breeds are of small to medium build with sturdy and balanced frames, often squarelike. The chow chow, French bulldog, and the Dalmatian are among the more muscular breeds in this group. In general, Non-Sporting dogs are alert and lively.
There is no comparable classification in Britain, although all these breeds, except for the Boston terrier, are found in other groups. The Boston terrier (not a true terrier although it once contained terrier blood) is one of the few native American dogs. (The others are the Alaskan Malamute, the beagle, the American foxhound, the Chesapeake Bay retriever, and the American cocker spaniel, all found in other groups.)
