Utility Group is the name of a breed group of dogs, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds. How Utility Group is defined varies among kennel clubs, and different kennel clubs may not include the same breeds in their Utility Group. Some kennel clubs do not use the Utility Group classification. Utility Group is not a term used by the international kennel club association, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, which more finely divides its breed groupings by dog type and breed history.
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There are two different kennel club definitions of Utility Group. In one, dogs which do not fit elsewhere are placed in the Utility Group, and in the other, certain breeds of working dogs are designated as part of the Utility Group.
The Kennel Club (UK) places in the Utility Group dog breeds that do not quite fit in other groups, such as the Shih Tzu, which other kennel clubs place in the Toy Group, but the Kennel Club does not, as it considers them to be too large. Other dogs are placed in the Kennel Club's Utility Group group because the working purpose for which they were originally bred "has now become redundant",[1] such as the function of the Dalmatian to run alongside horse-drawn coaches. The Kennel Club defines "Utility" as meaning fitness for a purpose,[2] taken to mean fitness for a purpose not covered by other Groups. Therefore, there is little relationship between the breeds in this Group.
The New Zealand Kennel Club and the Australian National Kennel Council each recognize a Utility Group, with a different emphasis. In Australia and New Zealand, the Utility Group includes large breeds of livestock guardian type dogs, large Spitz types, as well as guard, rescue, and messenger dogs.[3]
Other major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world that do not use the Utility Group category include the American Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club. How the Utility Group breeds are placed by those kennel clubs and by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale are detailed in the section on Utility Group breeds.
In the Canadian Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club, the Working Group includes all breeds that do work other than hunting or herding. In the New Zealand Kennel Club, the Working Group includes all the dogs found in the Pastoral Group or Herding Group of other kennel clubs, and the breeds found in the Working Group of those kennel clubs are found in the Utility Group of the New Zealand Kennel Club.[4] The Australian National Kennel Council Utility Group is defined in a similar manner to that of the New Zealand Kennel Club.[5]
A second organisation in the United States, the United Kennel Club, is also often considered among the major registries. The United Kennel Club does not recognise a Utility Group.[6]
Twenty nine breeds are listed in the Utility Group by The Kennel Club. The purpose of this section is to compare the categorisation of those breeds by The Kennel Club with the way in which each individual Utility Group breed is categorised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and a few other national (major) kennel clubs.
| Breed | Fédération Cynologique Internationale | Australian National Kennel Council | New Zealand Kennel Club | Canadian Kennel Club | American Kennel Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akita (American Akita) | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 5: Asian Spitz and related breeds (no.344) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Only one breed of Akita, in Group 3 Working Dogs | Only one breed of Akita, in the Working Group |
| Boston Terrier | Group 9 Terriers/Section 3: Bull type Terriers | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| Bulldog | Group 2, Section 2: Molossoid breeds | Group 7 (Non Sporting) (British Bulldog) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| Canaan Dog | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 6: Primitive type | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Herding Group |
| Chow Chow | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 5: Asian Spitz and related breeds | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| Dalmatian | Group 6 Scenthounds and Related Breeds/Section 3: Related breeds | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| Eurasier | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 5: Asian Spitz and related breeds | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | not recognised |
| French Bulldog | Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs/Section 11: Small Molossian type Dogs | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| German Spitz (Klein) | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 4: European Spitz (all of the German Spitz including the Keeshond are listed as one breed) | Group 7 (Non Sporting) (Mittel and Klein sizes of one breed) | Non-Sporting Group | not recognised | not recognised |
| German Spitz (Mittel) | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 4: European Spitz (all of the German Spitz including the Keeshond are listed as one breed) | Group 7 (Non Sporting) (Mittel and Klein sizes of one breed) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | American Eskimo Dog (Non-Sporting Group) may at times be registerable as Mittelspitz for international shows |
| Japanese Akita Inu (Akita Inu) | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 5: Asian Spitz and related breeds (no.255) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Only one breed of Akita recognised | Only one breed of Akita recognised |
| Japanese Shiba Inu | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 5: Asian Spitz | Utility Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group | |
| Japanese Spitz | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 5: Asian Spitz | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | not recognised |
| Keeshond | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 4: European Spitz (all of the German Spitz including the Keeshond are listed as one breed) | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| Korean Jindo | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 5: Asian Spitz | not recognised | not recognised | not recognised | not recognised |
| Lhasa Apso | Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs/Section 5: Tibetan breeds | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| Mexican Hairless (Intermediate) | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 6: Primitive type (all of the sizes of Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintle) are listed as one breed) | not recognised | not recognised | not recognised (this size only) | not recognised (Foundation Stock Service for one breed) |
| Mexican Hairless (Miniature) | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 6: Primitive type (all of the sizes of Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintle) are listed as one breed) | not recognised | not recognised | Group 6 Non-Sporting | not recognised |
| Mexican Hairless (Standard) | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 6: Primitive type (all of the sizes of Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintle) are listed as one breed) | not recognised | not recognised | Group 6 Non-Sporting | not recognised |
| Miniature Schnauzer | Group 2 Section 1: Pinscher and Schnauzer type (all of the Schnauzers are listed as sizes of the same breed) | Group 6 (Utility) | Working Group | Group 4 Terriers (other Schnauzers are in Group 6, Non-Sporting) | Terrier Group |
| Poodle (Miniature) | Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs/Section 2: Poodle (all poodles are considered sizes of the same breed) | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| Poodle (Standard) | Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs/Section 2: Poodle (all poodles are considered sizes of the same breed) | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| Poodle (Toy) | Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs/Section 2: Poodle (all poodles are considered sizes of the same breed) | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 5 Toys | Toy Group |
| Schipperke | Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs/Section 1: Sheepdogs | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| Schnauzer | listed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in Group 2, Section 1: Pinscher and Schnauzer type (all of the Schnauzers are listed as sizes of the same breed) | Group 6 (Utility) | Working Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting (Standard Schnauzer) | Working Group |
| Shar Pei | Group 2, Section 2 : Molossoid breeds | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group (Chinese Shar Pei) |
| Shih Tzu | Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs/Section 5: Tibetan breeds | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Toy Group |
| Tibetan Spaniel | Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs/Section 5: Tibetan breeds | Group 1 (Toys) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| Tibetan Terrier | Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs/Section 5: Tibetan breeds | Group 7 (Non Sporting) | Non-Sporting Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
The purpose of this section is to compare the placement of breeds in the Utility Group by the New Zealand Kennel Club and the Australian National Kennel Council with the breeds placed in the Kennel Club's Utility Group, and with the way in which each individual Utility Group breed is categorised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and a few other national (major) kennel clubs.
The New Zealand Kennel Club and the Australian National Kennel Council Utility Groups are similar to each other, but differ from the Kennel Club Utility Group. The New Zealand Kennel Club and the Australian National Kennel Council Utility Groups include large guardian and Spitz dog breeds that are found primarily in the Fédération Cynologique Internationale Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid Breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs and in Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types, although a few are in other groups. Other kennel clubs may place these same breeds in the Working Group or Pastoral Group.
| Breed | Australian National Kennel Council | New Zealand Kennel Club | Fédération Cynologique Internationale | The Kennel Club (UK) | Canadian Kennel Club | American Kennel Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akita (American Akita) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 5: Asian Spitz and related breeds (no.344) | Utility Group | Only one breed of Akita, in Group 3 Working Dogs | Only one breed of Akita, in the Working Group |
| Japanese Akita (Akita Inu) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 5: Asian Spitz and related breeds (no.255) | Utility Group | Only one breed of Akita recognised | Only one breed of Akita recognised |
| Alaskan Malamute | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 5 "Spitz and Primitive types" | not recognised | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Anatolian Shepherd Dog (Coban Köpegi) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid Breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs | Pastoral Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner Sennenhund) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 3: Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Black Russian Terrier (Russian Black Terrier, Tchiorny Terrier) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 1: Pinscher and Schnauzer type | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs (listed breed) | Working Group |
| Boxer | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.1 Mastiff type | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Bullmastiff | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.1 Mastiff type | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Canadian Eskimo Dog | Utility Group | Utility Group | not recognised | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | not recognised |
| Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Sredneasiatskaïa Ovtcharka, Central Asian Ovcharka, Alabai) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.2 Mountain type | not recognised | not recognised | not recognised (Foundation Stock Service) |
| Dobermann | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 1: Pinscher and Schnauzer type/1.1 Pinscher | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Dogue De Bordeaux | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.1 Mastiff type | Working Group | not recognised | Working Group |
| Cão da Serra da Estrela (Estrela Mountain Dog) | not recognised | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.2 Mountain type | not recognised | not recognised | not recognised (Foundation Stock Service) |
| Fila Brasileiro | not recognised | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.1 Mastiff type | not recognised | not recognised | not recognised |
| German Pinscher (Deutscher Pinscher) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 1: Pinscher and Schnauzer type/1.1 Pinscher | Working Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Working Group |
| Italian Corso Dog (Cane Corso Italiano) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.1 Mastiff type | not recognised | Group 3 Working Dogs | Not fully recognised (Miscellaneous Class) |
| Kangal Dog | Utility Group | Utility Group | not recognised | not recognised | not recognised | not recognised |
| Leonberger | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.2 Mountain type | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Not fully recognised (Miscellaneous Class) |
| Mastiff | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.1 Mastiff type (no.264) | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Neapolitan Mastiff (Mastino Napoletano) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.1 Mastiff type (no.197) | Working Group | not recognised | Working Group |
| Newfoundland | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.2 Mountain type (no.50) | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Portuguese Water Dog (Cão de agua Português) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 8 Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs/Section 3: Water Dogs | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Pyrenean Mastiff (Mastín del Pirineo) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.2 Mountain type (no.92) | Working Group | not recognised | not recognised |
| Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Chien de Montagne des Pyrénée) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.2 Mountain type (no.137) | Pastoral Group | not recognised | not recognised |
| Rottweiler | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.1 Mastiff type (no.147) | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Samoyed (Samoiedskaïa Sabaka) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 1: Nordic Sledge Dogs | Pastoral Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Schnauzer (Standard Schnauzer) | Utility Group (all three sizes) | Utility Group (all three sizes) | all Schnauzers considered to be sizes of the same breed, listed in Group 2/Section 1.2 Schnauzer | Utility Group (Standard and Miniature) | Group 3 Working Dogs (Giant and Standard only) | Working Group (Giant and Standard only) |
| Schnauzer (Giant) | Utility Group | Utility Group | all Schnauzers considered to be sizes of the same breed, listed in Group 2/Section 1.2 Schnauzer | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Schnauzer (Miniature) | Utility Group | Utility Group | all Schnauzers considered to be sizes of the same breed, listed in Group 2/Section 1.2 Schnauzer | Utility Group | Group 4 Terriers | Terrier Group |
| Shiba Inu (Shiba) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 5 : Asian Spitz and related breeds (no.257) | Utility Group | Group 6 Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting Group |
| Siberian Husky | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 5 Spitz and Primitive types/Section 1: Nordic Sledge Dogs (no.270) | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Spanish Mastiff (Mastín español) | Utility Group | not recognised | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.2 Mountain type (no.91) | not recognised | not recognised | not recognised |
| St Bernard | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.2 Mountain type (no.61) | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs | Working Group |
| Tibetan Mastiff (Do-Khyi) | Utility Group | Utility Group | Group 2/Section 2: Molossoid breeds/2.2 Mountain type (no.230) | Working Group | Group 3 Working Dogs (listed breed) | Working Group |
Kennel Clubs in countries other than those listed may also use the term Utility Group, their definition may differ. "Utility Group" may also be a term used by minor registries, kennel clubs, breed clubs, sporting clubs, and internet dog businesses. Each may or may not define the term separately.
A breed that is not recognised by a kennel club means that it has not been sufficiently vetted according to that particular kennel club's rules. It does not mean that the breed is not a breed. Major kennel clubs usually require a breed to have a specific amount of documentation, as well as a large enough breed club to warrant the training of judges for the breed, for the breed to be accepted.
At the Crufts 2008 show (UK), the Utility Group prize was won by Japanese Shiba Inu Ch Janeryls - In The Line Of Fire JW, owned by Mrs J Bannister.[8]