Dog breed categories are a way to group different breeds based on their characteristics and purposes. While different organizations may have slightly different breed categories, some common ones include working, sporting, toy, hound, terrier, non-sporting, and herding breeds. Working breeds were initially bred to perform various jobs, such as guarding, hunting, and pulling carts. Examples of working breeds include the Great Dane, Siberian Husky, and Rottweiler. Sporting breeds were initially bred for hunting, retrieval, and other outdoor activities. Examples of sporting breeds include the Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and Labrador Retriever. Toy breeds are smaller breeds often kept as lap dogs or for companionship. Examples of toy breeds include the Pekingese, Pomeranian, and Chihuahua. Hound breeds were bred for hunting game by sight or scent. Examples of hound breeds include the Greyhound, Beagle, and Basset Hound. Terrier breeds were bred to hunt vermin. Examples of terrier breeds include the Scottish Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, and Airedale Terrier. Non-sporting breeds do not fit into any of the other categories. Examples of non-sporting breeds include the Bulldog, Poodle, and Dalmatian. Herding breeds were bred to work with livestock, such as sheep and cattle. Examples of herding breeds include the German Shepherd, Border Collie, and Australian Cattle Dog.