Kennel Clubs assign breeds that are engaged in some sort of physically active work to their Working Group.
Herding
Many breeds have worked alongside humans driving various kinds of livestock including cattle, sheep, reindeer and fowl. The most common breeds used for herding are Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies, and Kelpies.
Mascots
Dogs have represented groups and organizations from Universities to the Postal Service for hundreds of years. Having a canine as a mascot allowed the public to have a personal connection with the institution. Due to their fantastic faces, Bulldogs have been a much-used breed when it comes to showing school pride!
Guarding/Watchdog
Dogs can be used to guard just about anything, from a Great Pyrenees watching over livestock, to a Belgian Malinois that is used in the military to keep soldiers and their surroundings safe. Watchdogs use their bark to ward off danger and many breeds, regardless of size, can do this job well!
Show Dogs
While the life of a well-groomed show dog may look easy to you, these canines have to be on their best behavior while they’re in the ring! Countless hours of working with their handlers along with a patient personality during rigorous pre-show bathing is a must if you’re going to take home the big blue ribbon!
Truffle Sniffing
There is only one breed of dog that is specifically bred to sniff out these rare mushrooms – the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Water Rescue
Newfoundlands are powerful dogs that love the water, so when properly trained, they make the ideal water rescue canines. The dogs will swim out to an individual in trouble and grab them with their large (but gentle) mouths and help them safely back to the shore. Their training teaches them how to recognize an unconscious swimmer and how to handle these situations as well.
Police Work
Police dogs can play many rolls including enforcing public order, detection, search and rescue and cadaver detection. While many people picture German Shepherds as the typical police k-9, there are many other breeds used today on police forces – Malinois, Labs, Bloodhounds and even Beagles (just to name a few!).
War Dogs
Dogs of war have served along side brave soldiers in every conflict – on both foreign and domestic soil, weather they were officially “enlisted” or not. There is no one job that can be pinned on a war dog as they were used for many purposes – running messages, guarding perimeters, attack work, detection, and of course boosting moral!
Hunting and Flushing
Various types of dogs have been used for hunting with humans. Sighthounds use the method of “coursing” – running down their prey and killing it swiftly, while scent hounds can trail game for long periods of time usually leaving the kill to the hunter. Setters and Spaniels will flush game from brush, allowing the hunter access to them.
Sled Dogs
Dog sleds were used to explore impassible terrain in some of the first expeditions to the north and south poles as well as Antarctica. In Alaska sled dogs delivered medications and supplies to isolated towns.
Rat Extermination
The word “Terrier” comes from the Latin meaning “of the earth” – these fearless and feisty small breeds were developed to help keep the land free from pests long ago.
Mr. Service Dog
This breed was established in 1846 in Leonberg, Germany, crossing of the Newfoundland, St. Bernard, and the Great Pyrenees. The goal was to create a breed that would closely resemble the look of a lion. Leonbergers have been owned by many royal families including Napoleon II. By the end of World War II, only a few dogs remained. Some were gathered and re-established the breed.The first Leonberger was imported to the United States in 1971. This versatile breed has been successful for guarding livestock, search and rescue, obedience, water rescue, tracking as a draft animal and as a family companion.
Entertainment
Countless dogs have entertained us – on television we have Lassie, Rin Tin Tin and even Eddie from “Frasier”. On the big screen we have “Hooch”,”Beethoven” and so many more. But more appropriately, we have the dogs we share our lives with. Without them, it would be a boring existence.
