Favourite Breeds in Each Group

[grizabella]

What are yours? I love so many different and varied breeds it's hard to narrow it down.
Going by the Kennel Club (UK) grouping to make it easier...(http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2102)

Hounds: Saluki (what a shock!), Afghan Hound, Borzoi

Working: Leonberger, Hovawart, Bernese Mountain Dog, Newfoundland, St Bernard (you can't tell I like big fluffies?)

Gundogs: Golden Retriever, Flat coated Retriever, Brittany, Irish Red and White Setter, Large Munsterlander, Kooikerhondje, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel (gosh, I have lots of favourites in this group!)

Terriers: Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Cairn Terrier

Utility: Standard Poodle, Dalmatian, Japanese Akita Inu

Pastoral: Estrela Mountain Dog, Groenendael, Border Collie, Rough Collie, Maremma Sheepdog

Toy: Italian Greyhound, Papillon/Phalene, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chinese Crested Powderpuff

[Gazinghound]

Boy, am I the same way.
I guess I'll use the AKC's groups, since they're extremely similar. We just call Pastoral "Herding," and Utility "Non-Sporting." Frankly, I prefer the UK names. Pastoral is a bit broader and doesn't sound as much like "hurting," and "utility" is far more appropriate than simply "non-sporting," which is like..."What exactly is that supposed to mean?" Besides, the Standard and Miniature Poodles should rightly be in Sporting.

I'll use the big AKC poster on my wall in case I somehow forget any, lol. Shall try to keep them all under ten. XD

Terrier: Bedlington, Skye, Irish, Kerry Blue, Manchester, Soft-Coated Wheaten, Fox (I like both the Wires & the Smooths!)......also like Mini Schnauzies, Scotties, Sealys, Airedales, Welshies, etc.

Sporting: Curly-Coated Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, German Wirehaired Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointer, Brittany (of course, lol)...like the American Water Spaniel, Field Spaniel, and Cockers & Springers too

Hound: Saluki (big duhrr, haha), Borzoi, Afghan hound, Beagle (hehe), Scottish Deerhound, Ibizan hound, Pharaoh Hound, Whippet, Greyhound, Dachshund (especially the long- and wirehairs)

Non-Sporting: Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Dalmatian, Bichon Frise, American Eskimo

Working: Kuvasz, Portuguese Water Dog, Standard Schnauzer, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Giant Schnauzer, German Pinscher, Great Dane, Mastiff (the last two especially because of Casey!)

Herding: Smooth Collie, Australian Cattle Dog, Briard, Bouvier des Flandres, Rough Collie, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Border Collie, Sheltie

Toy: Italian Greyhound, Chinese Crested (both varieties), Toy Poodle, Papillon/Phalene, Japanese Chin, Toy Manchester Terrier, Silky Terrier

I had to stop myself from rattling off all the other sighthounds and a few other members of my favorite group, lol.

I do wish the Belgian Laekenois would be recognized already, as I find them quite attractive and handsome. I also LOVE the Maremma Sheepdog, too bad we don't see them here either, really--I've never met one, but they're so beautiful, and similar to the Kuvasz I love so much. Oh, and the Munsterlanders and Kooiker are sooooo awesome, of course! ^w^
Man, there are loads of as-yet non-AKC-recognized breeds and varieties that I love.

[grizabella]

I've always thought it odd that Poodles are not in the Gundog/Sporting group.

Golly, reading your lists, I realize that I've missed a few!

The Irish Water Spaniel most DEFINITELY needs adding to my Gundog list!
I was quite strict on the Hound group with how many I included, I have so many favourites in there. I might be less restricted and add the Hamiltonstovare, Longhaired Standard Dachie, Grand Bleu de Gascogne and Foxhound just so I've got some scenthounds on the list as well. I just love the Hound group!
...And the Kuvasz needs adding to the Pastoral group list!

[Gazinghound]

It really is weird. They may not be commonly used for the purpose anymore, but they are quintessential water/gundogs, and were used in the creation of many other sporting breeds as well. But no, they get stuck in the little "miscellaneous class."

Especially after meeting the IWS, I'm totally in love with them and want to get one. :3
Haha, yeah, it's seriously tough pickin's. I also love the Bleu de Gascogne, Hamiltonstovare, and Foxhounds ('specially the American)...as well as, of course, the Sloughi and Azawakh and others that are on the path to AKC recognition but not there yet. They did add a bunch of other Coonhounds recently, which is awesome because they're such cool dogs. On the way out of the dog park last time, I spotted a big old hound who looked like either a Bluetick Coon or a Bleu de Gascogne; probably a Bluetick. Wild.