Non-Sporting breed training is impossible to summarize because the group itself is impossible to summarize. The AKC Non-Sporting group is essentially "dogs that don't fit anywhere else" — Poodles (highly trainable), Bulldogs (extremely stubborn), French Bulldogs (stubborn but small), Boston Terriers (trainable companion), Bichon Frise (eager to please). The training approach varies wildly by individual breed.
Used by 50,000+ dog owners across hundreds of breeds — including all major non-sporting breeds.
See the Training ProgramNon-Sporting is a catch-all category for breeds that aren't herding, working, sporting, hound, terrier, or toy. The result is a group spanning extreme intelligence (Poodles rank #2) to extreme stubbornness (Bulldogs rank #77). Each breed needs to be evaluated individually rather than treated as a group.
Most Non-Sporting breeds are bred as companion dogs rather than working dogs — they want to be with people. Many are brachycephalic (Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier) which limits exercise tolerance. Most do well with positive reinforcement and respond poorly to harsh methods.
Poodles are the most trainable. Boston Terriers and Bichons are great for first-time owners. Bulldogs and French Bulldogs require patience and acceptance of their stubbornness. Match the breed's exercise tolerance, training difficulty, and temperament to your specific lifestyle.
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