Companion dog usually describes a dog that does not work, providing
only companionship as a pet, rather than usefulness by doing specific tasks.
Many of the toy dog breeds are used only for the pleasure of their company, not
as workers. Any
dog can be a companion dog, and many working types such as retrievers are
enjoyed primarily for their friendly nature as a family pet, as are mixed breed
dogs. The American Kennel Club also offers a Companion dog title for
judged dog obedience competitions.
Breed groups argue that any dog in the working group type is inherently a "working" dog, while others argue that only a dog with an active occupation, either in a breed-related field (such as water trials for retrievers or herding trials for herding dogs) or in a breed-nonspecific field that requires training and discipline, such as being assistance dogs or participating in dog agility, can be considered a working dog.
Dogs that have been chosen for traits that make a convenient pet are generally smaller breeds, and the tradition of keeping pretty dogs for no purpose other than to be court decorations stems back thousands of years to Chinese nobility. The Pekingese and the Pug are both examples of canines chosen for their ability to be pets. In the case of the Pekingese, it was for their lion-like demeanor; for the Pugs, it was for their "lucky" wrinkles and their monkey-like face.
Other dogs that appear to be strictly a decorative or entertaining breed of dog originally also had jobs outside of their main companionship task, such as the Lhasa Apso's job as a watch dog, or the delicate Yorkshire Terrier's exceptional rat catching abilities.
Working Dog versus Companion Dog
Breed groups argue that any dog in the working group type is inherently a "working" dog, while others argue that only a dog with an active occupation, either in a breed-related field (such as water trials for retrievers or herding trials for herding dogs) or in a breed-nonspecific field that requires training and discipline, such as being assistance dogs or participating in dog agility, can be considered a working dog.
Dogs that have been chosen for traits that make a convenient pet are generally smaller breeds, and the tradition of keeping pretty dogs for no purpose other than to be court decorations stems back thousands of years to Chinese nobility. The Pekingese and the Pug are both examples of canines chosen for their ability to be pets. In the case of the Pekingese, it was for their lion-like demeanor; for the Pugs, it was for their "lucky" wrinkles and their monkey-like face.
Other dogs that appear to be strictly a decorative or entertaining breed of dog originally also had jobs outside of their main companionship task, such as the Lhasa Apso's job as a watch dog, or the delicate Yorkshire Terrier's exceptional rat catching abilities.
Competition Obedience Titles
Companion Dog
("CD" added to dogs registered name) - is officially a "Novice
obedience Title" in the AKC Competition Obedience Ring, whereby a team
enters the "ring" with 200 points, and needs to leave with at least
170 points to "qualify". It requires 3 "legs" (trials)
under 3 different AKC judges. Any dog can earn a CD title. Levels for obedience
are Companion Dog (CD), Companion Dog Excellent (CDX), Utility Dog (UD),
Utility Dog Excellent (UDX), Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH), National
Obedience Champion (NOC). A pet dog is not considered a "Companion
Dog" without entering a competition ring and creating a document trail.
The first AKC licensed obedience trial was held in 1936, where 200 dogs were
entered.
Companion Dogs versus Toy Dogs
Toy dogs and
companion dogs have a large overlap. However companion dogs are not limited by
size, whereas all toy dogs are small.
A List of Companion Dogs
- Affenpinscher
- Alaskan Klee Kai
- American Eskimo
- American Hairless Terrier
- Askal (Aspin)
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Australian Shepherd
- Basset Hound
- Beagle
- Bichon Frisé
- Biewer
- Brussels Griffon
- Bolognese
- Boston Terrier
- Bulldog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chinese Crested Dog
- Collie
- Coton de Tulear
- Cross-breed dog
- Dalmatian
- Dachshund
- Elo
- English Toy Terrier
- Eurasier
- French Bulldog
- German Spitz
- Golden Retriever
- Griffon Bruxellois
- Havanese
- Indian Spitz
- Italian Greyhound
- Japanese Chin
- Japanese Spitz
- Keeshond
- King Charles Spaniel
- Kromfohrlander
- Lhasa Apso
- Löwchen
- Maltese
- Manchester Terrier
- Miniature Pinscher
- Miniature Poodle
- Miniature
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Mixed-breed dog
- Papillon
- Pekingese
- Phalène
- Pomeranian
- Pug
- Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Shih Tzu
- Skye Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Tibetan Terrier
- Toy Fox Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier
- Xoloitzcuintli (Xolo or Mexican Hairless Dog)
- Yorkshire Terrier
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