Gundogs were originally bred to hunt game, such as rabbits, pheasants and ducks, their handler's would shoot the game, then send the dog to retrieve the game.
They are very trainable and have excellent noses to pick up the scent of the shot game, paired with great eyesight & hearing in order to retrieve them.
These guys are notorious for bringing you items when they're excited, they're always on the go and tend to turn their ears off around wildlife.
Breeds include: Retrievers, Spaniels, Poodles, Pointers and Setters.
Hounds were also used for hunting, primarily with their handler's on horseback. They are broken into 2 groups - Sighthounds and Scent hounds.
Sighthounds are fast, streamlined and built for chasing game such as hares and rabbits.
Whilst scent hounds would have their noses to the floor and track scent-trails left behind by rabbits and hares over great distances.
They tend to have a mad zoomies session and then get tired quite quickly. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes including: Dachshunds, Greyhounds, Bloodhounds & Beagles.
Pastoral breeds often refer to dogs that were originally bred to help on farmland, either as livestock guarding breeds and herding breeds.
They are built to endure the harsh weather's that they would have to work on during day & night on the farm.
These are high energy, high maintenance, high intelligence breeds, you will need to be 10 steps ahead of them and strong-willed to have these in your life.
Breeds include: Shepherds, Collies, Livestock Guardian Breeds.
Terriers were used as pest control on ships for rats and mice, as they were more trainable and determined than their cat rivals.
These also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with the smaller dogs having bolder characters than their bigger counterparts. The smaller terriers could fit into the tight spaces, where the rats and mice would hide amongst storage.
Breeds include: Jack Russel Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Border Terrier, Airedale Terrier and Welsh Terrier.
Toy breeds were the original companion dogs, who's primary role was to meet their owner's social needs by being the perfect little lap dogs.
They're small but mighty, with big characters to make up for their small statures.
Breeds include: Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Pugs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Italian Greyhounds.
This group is a mismatch of all the breeds that don't quite fit into the other groups.
They come in all shapes and sizes, with a variety of traits.
Research is a must with utility breeds, as their job descriptions vary so much.
Breeds include: Bulldogs, Dalmatians, Schnauzers, Akitas and Chow Chows.
Working breeds were used for guarding property, royalty and businesses. They're large, powerful breeds, who aren't as active as the pastoral or gun dog breeds; you would think twice before teasing these big dogs. With the exception of the husky, who are notorious sledding dogs.
These guys are lovable rogues, who are often strong on-lead and will happily make themselves at home across the whole sofa.
Breeds include: Rottweilers, Dobermans, Huskies, Great Danes & Mastiffs.
Before you buy/adopt ANY breed or crossbreed, make sure to do your research into their specific needs and characteristics, to be sure that they fit in with your lifestyle.
Also look into your breeder/rescue to make sure they are legit and prevent potential health & behavioural issues in the future.
Where possible, join training clubs that offer your dog a job that allows them to perform natural behaviours, in a controlled environment.
Whether that's agility, scentwork, barn hut, IPO, assistance work, lure coursing, rally or obedience (there is so much available).