In this episode, Pat and Molly dive into the fascinating world of dog breeds and instincts, unpacking how and why dogs are grouped based on their original working roles and behavioural traits. Rather than focusing on appearance alone, they explore what breed groupings reveal about a dog’s instincts, motivations, and natural tendencies and why this matters in everyday training.

They walk through a wide range of breed groups, including natural dogs, sight hounds, guardians, toy dogs, scent hounds, gun dogs, terriers, bulldogs, and herding dogs. For each group, Pat and Molly discuss the historical jobs these dogs were bred to perform and how those roles still influence behaviour in modern pet homes. From chasing and guarding to sniffing, retrieving, and controlling movement, they highlight the strengths, challenges, and common misconceptions associated with each group.

The episode places a strong emphasis on the role of genetics in shaping behaviour, helping listeners understand why some behaviours come more easily to certain dogs and why others may require thoughtful management and training. With practical insights and real-world examples, this conversation is designed to help current and prospective dog owners set realistic expectations, make informed choices, and build more successful relationships by working with their dog’s nature, not against it.

This episode pairs really well with our earlier discussion on routines and training habits if you want to explore how instinct and structure work together!