Adrienne is a certified dog trainer and former veterinarian assistant who
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You can roughly determine a dog’s play style based on its breed.

Dog Play Styles

Tell me what breed your dog is and I’ll tell you his play style . . . well,
almost. Yes, you can roughly determine a dog’s play style based on its breed,
but as with almost everything dog, there’s nothing written in stone.

As Patricia McConnell claims, “Genes are written in pencil,” meaning that
genes are not carbon copies, and breeding is a crapshoot. You can’t make
assumptions about how a dog will behave based on breed alone, you must
consider the nature versus nurture effect. There are many variables. In other
words, dogs inherit certain predispositions, but one must also consider the
effects of the environment and their experiences in their upbringing. There is
no such thing as a dog being like another. Just like snowflakes and
fingerprints, each dog is unique.

For example, my female Rottweiler loves to retrieve. When I have a ball in my
hand, her eyes light up and she would play a game of fetch over and over—to
the point of exhaustion. However, many Rottweiler owners complain that their
Rotties are never up to a game of fetch. Perhaps this is because I have made
this game fun since she was a pup.

Instead, a Golden Retriever that comes to me for board and training could care
less about the game. Yes, he might have enjoyed this game and I’m sure there’s
likely a genetic predisposition, but his owners used to play keep-away with
him a lot, so even though there’s a will to fetch something you would toss, he
would rather run away with the item instead of bringing it back as you might
expect from a dog of this breed.

Regardless, there seems to be a certain predisposition for specific dog breeds
to play certain types of games. This preference is often linked to what the
breed was selectively bred for. In the next paragraphs, we will take a look at
certain play styles certain breeds seem to prefer.

Play styles among dogs can vary based on breed predispositions, personality,
and experience.

Breed Play Styles

As mentioned, these play styles based on breed are just a generalization, so
don’t be surprised if your dog doesn’t fit the bill. Play styles among dogs
can vary based on breed predispositions, personality, and experience. For
convenience’s sake, dogs breeds were divided into breed groups. If you do not
find your dog breed, it likely falls under the general style for the group.
Does your dog have a unique play style you want to talk about? Share your
dog’s play style in the comments section below.

The Herding Group

The herding group is made of dog breeds that were selectively bred to herd
livestock. Border collies and Australian shepherds seem to enjoy play that
mimics their natural herding instincts to herd, which includes: staring,
stalking, and chasing. Some of these dogs can be also quite controlling,
something that not all dogs are willing to tolerate.

Some breeds under the herding group may enjoy nipping heels. These breeds
thrive on loads of exercise and mental stimulation and are very responsive,
which makes them excel in chasing balls and Frisbees. These dogs enjoy
interactive toys and do well in the sport of flyball.

Generally, dogs in this group enjoy chasing, barking, and stalking. Monitor
for signs of a dog getting tired of having its movement controlled. Consider
that some dogs may not like to be stared at.

The Sporting Group

The sporting group is made of dog breeds selectively bred to assist in
hunting. Pointers were bred to locate game, and they are naturally drawn to
running and chasing games, and they can have rowdy play styles. Cocker
Spaniels and other spaniels were bred to flush game out of bushes. They seem
to enjoy searching for things and playing “find it” games.

Labrador Retrievers are the goofy dogs who are for all “in your face”
greetings which can often irritate the more reserved breeds. Usually fond of
water, these dogs enjoy water games and the sport of dock diving. Golden
Retrievers like the Labradors were selectively bred to retrieve downed
waterfowl, and they may enjoy retrieving a tossed ball.

Generally, dogs in this group enjoy running, chasing, body slamming, and neck
biting. Because dogs in this group are highly energetic, it’s always good to
implement some breaks to allow dogs to rest when playing in groups.

The Terrier Group

The terrier group is made of dogs of different sizes ranging from 2 to 70
pounds . Several small terriers like the _ ****_ Jack Russel Terrier and
the Patterdale Terrier __ were selectively bred to hunt underground quarries.
They are feisty, energetic dogs who may enjoy playful digging, and they can be
quite enthusiastic about squeaky toys. These feisty little fellows thrive on
earthdog trials.

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The larger terriers such as the Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, and
Staffordshire Bull Terrier may enjoy rougher styles of play such as wrestling
and body slamming. These breeds may like to take turns being on top and then
on the bottom. When it comes to activities, these dogs may enjoy weight
pulling.

Generally, dogs in this group love chasing, body slamming, and neck biting.
Monitor for rough play and high arousal levels and avoid off-leash playgroups
if your dog appears to bully other dogs or shows signs of not tolerating
certain types of play. Some dogs do best with only one well-known playmate
with a matching play style.

The Hound Group

The hound groups include scent hounds and sighthounds. Beagles, Basset Hounds,
and Dachshunds may enjoy play, but they may go missing in action the moment
their powerful noses catch an intriguing whiff. You may, therefore, see them
playing a moment, and then they’re gone sniffing, only to come back a little
bit later. These dogs are pack-oriented and are generally comfortable around
groups of off-leash dogs. Entertain them with nosework or hide their kibble
around the home. When they play at the dog park, they may enjoy chasing and
neck biting, sometimes accompanied by growls.

Sighthounds were selectively bred to use their sight to chase prey. The
Greyhound, Whippet, Ibizan Hound, and other sighthounds love to chase and have
a high prey drive. Best not to let them mingle with the small fluffy dogs such
as those of the toy group. Some sighthounds can be a bit standoffish and may
ignore other dogs’ invitations to play. They love to play with flirt poles,
and they sometimes engage in cat-like play stalking and pouncing on toys.
Because many of these breeds have thin skin, best to monitor when they’re
playing rough.

The Working Group

The working group includes dogs who were selectively bred to assist humans in
a variety of tasks. These dogs like to have a job to do and must be kept
mentally stimulated. Their play styles may vary from one breed and another.

Boxers and Doberman may enjoy vocalizing with play growls, and they often may
use their front paws during play. Pinning down other dogs may be a favorite
hobby. Great Danes, mastiffs, and Samoyeds may also join in games of body
slamming, chasing and neck biting.

Siberian huskies may like to be vocal like to use their paws and mouths and
love to play chase games. Body slamming can be part of their play behavior
repertoire. Newfoundlands were bred to haul fishing nets and love to play in
the water; whereas Saint Bernards may engage in body slamming.

Dobermans, Rottweilers, and Akitas can be quite confident and serious dogs,
some enjoy body-slamming and neck biting, but some may not tolerate certain
types of play. Monitor for dogs getting overly confident and intimidating
other dogs. Remember; if the other dog being chased seems to be running away,
tail between legs, it’s time to stop the game. When dogs have fun, they will
entice the other dog to resume playing.

The Toy Group

The toy group comprises several petite dogs who were selectively bred as
companions. Toy breeds include Poms, Maltese, Pugs, and Shih-Tzu who generally
crave attention and do not like to be left by themselves. These lap dogs tend
to engage in what is known as “cat-like” play, which consists of cute bats
with their paws directed to their playmates’ faces. They may also be seen
spinning and making goofy, exaggerated moves that are quite entertaining and
endearing to watch.

Yorkies are feisty, energetic players who enjoy a game of chasing small balls
(they might take off with them instead of bringing them back) and with a past
as vermin killers, they tend to like squeaky toys and chasing small balls.
These dogs do best with appropriately sized playmates with similar play
styles.

The Non-Sporting Group

The non-sporting dog group is a very diverse group consisting of dog breeds of
all shapes, colors, and sizes. It’s difficult to assign a play style to this
group with so many different breeds among this group who were selectively bred
for different tasks.

Generally, Dalmatians are high-energy players who love to chase and may
occasionally body slam too. Despite their sophisticated looks, Standard
Poodles are bouncy dogs who are always up for a game of play. Shar-Pei and
Chow Chow may enjoy body-slamming and chasing; whereas, French Bulldogs and
Bulldogs play in a similar fashion, but make sure they don’t over-exercise,
especially in warm weather and are given frequent breaks.

The smaller breeds in this group such as the Boston Terriers, Bichons, and
Lhasa-Apsos enjoy cat-like play, which involves pawing, but they also may
enjoy chasing and neck biting.

What About Mixed Breeds?

Most likely, these dogs will inherit a mix of predispositions from their
parents. As mentioned, these are just a few of the play styles seen in certain
dog breeds, but they must be taken with a grain of salt as each dog is an
individual morphed by his genetic potential and the influences of the
environment in which he’s raised. What’s your dog’s favorite play style? Feel
free to share it in the comments section.

References:

Off-Leash Dog Play: A Complete Guide to Safety and Fun. Robin Bennett, CPDT
and Susan Briggs, CKO

Comments

Nancy Yager from Hamburg, New York on September 10, 2015:

This hub is very informative. You are right, breeds do play differently.

peachy from Home Sweet Home on September 10, 2015:

i don’t have a pet dog but their plays are sure cute