|
Working Dogs
Large, Strong Dogs Bred for Guarding and Rescue.
There are two definitions which apply to the term Working Dogs:
1) Used in its broadest sense, the term covers all breeds which are not kept purely as pets but which perform a specific function to assist
their owners in their daily life and business. Such functions would include guarding livestock, herding livestock, hunting game, rescue work and
police work.
2) In relation to pure bred show dogs, the classification Working Dogs has a much narrower meaning and excludes many working
breeds, which are included in other groups. The American Kennel Club has separate groups for Hounds, Sporting and Herding dogs, which were all
indisputably bred originally as working dogs.
There has evolved a wide gap between show dogs and genuine working dogs due to intensive breeding for the show ring. Show dogs are bred
primarily for appearance and to meet the characteristics demanded by the breed standard. To a large extent, they have lost the natural instincts
of their forebears.
Similarly, many expert working dogs would never win a beauty competition but are extremely efficient at the jobs they are trained for. In some
cases, crossbred dogs are among the best performers.
The different kennel clubs world wide all have their own individual groups, which are not entirely consistent. Some of the clubs place certain
breeds in different groups and indeed some of the groups have different names. For example the Kennel Club UK has a Pastoral Group, which is
called the Herding Group by the American Kennel Club.
Working dogs are, by their nature, large and strong and will not necessarily fit many normal domestic situations. If any of these breeds are
to be chosen as pets, it is important to ensure that their home will be a suitable environment.
There is an unfortunate tendency for some men to choose a large strong dog as a pet, to reflect their own macho image, sometimes with
unfortunate results.
Akita Alaskan Malamute Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Bernese Mountain Dog Black Russian Terrier
Boxer Bullmastiff Doberman Pinscher Dogue de
Bordeaux German Pinscher Giant Schnauzer
Great Dane Great Pyrenees Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greenland Dog Havawart
Komondor Kuvasz Leonberger Mastiff Neapolitan Mastiff
Newfoundland
Portuguese Water Dog Rottweiler Russian Black Terrier Saint Bernard
Samoyed
Siberian Husky Standard Schnauzer Tibetan Mastiff
|