The nonsporting group is the most diverse of all groups, sometimes considered a catchall for breeds that defy categorization elsewhere or that no longer have a tenable function. Some prefer to call it the "companion group" because these dogs tend to have in common at least a recent background of being bred solely for companionship purposes. The background of these dogs is so varied, however, that it would be unrealistic to classify them as generally better companions than any other group. Each breed must be evaluated on its own merits in this group.

American Eskimo Dog
Bichon Frise
Boston Terrier
Bulldog
Chinese Shar-Pei
Chow Chow
Dalmatian
Finnish Spitz
French Bulldog
Keeshond
Lhasa Apso
Löwchen
Standard Poodle
Miniature Poodle
Schipperke
Shiba Inu
Tibetan Spaniel
Tibetan Terrier