I have also been in contact with and lived with many non-game dogs such as the Rottweiler, Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Pointer, Chow, Poodle, Dachshund, German Shepherd, Boxer, Labrador Retriever, and mutts of various lineage. Please note that Terriers are listed as game dogs. It is my contention that the difference between the Terrier and Sporting groups are the specific hunting chores they were assigned, with the major exception of the Bull and Terrier breeds previously mentioned. The previous list is by no means complete, but provides a sample of my experience with dogs. All dog breeds can be game, aggressive and have prey drive to some extent, but the Bull and Terrier breeds have the greatest degree of gameness and thus the need for a greater understanding of its origin, use, and uniqueness.
All dogs have some form of prey drive, an instinctive reaction to chase something that moves.
Its original purpose was for capturing prey as wolves, foxes, and wild dogs still do now. One of the benefits of the domestication of the dog was his instinct to chase, and thus aid in our capture of animals. Chasing a ball, flying disk, cat, or person are current examples of a dog's prey drive. What a dog does when it catches the object depends upon the training, breed of dog, and the object being chased by the dog. I have seen a Pointer retrieve quail that were still alive with barely a feather ruffled and a Miniature Dachshund that would attempt to destroy any object that moved including golf balls and bowling balls.