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Companion Group is the name of a breed group of dogs, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds, and does not necessarily include all dogs kept as companions or pets. In some kennel clubs the Companion Group is called the Companion and Toy Group. The international kennel club association, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale has companion dogs in Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs.
Contents
The United Kennel Club (US) defines the dogs in its Companion Dog Group to be "miniaturized versions of their ancestors" except for the English Bulldog and the Dalmatian. Most of the United Kennel Club's Companion Dog Group breeds may be found in other kennel club's Toy or Non-Sporting Groups, although some are in other groups as well.
The purpose of this chart is to compare the dog breeds placed by the United Kennel Club (US) in their Companion Dog Group with the way the same breeds are categorised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and a few other national (major) kennel clubs.
Other kennel clubs and registries
Kennel Clubs in countries other than those listed may also use the term Companion Group, and their definition may be the same or may differ. "Companion Group" or a similar term 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.
Not recognized
A breed that is not recognized 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. Small clubs and internet registry businesses may have fewer requirements, so may be seen to register more little known breeds.