Page 33 - The Complete Dog Breed Book Choose the Perfect Dog for You, New Edition (DK)

W ORKING DOG S 33

WORKING DOGS

The list of jobs that humans ask dogs to perform is almost
endless. In the thousands of years since dogs were domesticated,
canine helpers have guarded homes, rescued people in danger,
gone to war, and looked after the sick and disabled, to give only a
few examples. In this book, the working group is represented by
breeds traditionally developed for pastoral work and guard duties. Shepherd dogs work as
herders and guardians

In general, the dogs in this highly Maremma and Great Pyrenees, are to be suited to family life. In recent
diverse group tend to be large, though designed to protect their flocks from decades, a number of the mastiff-type
there are a few small but nonetheless predators such as wolves. Usually breeds have achieved great popularity
robust exceptions. Working dogs are very large, many of these dogs are as companions. Although some were
bred for strength and stamina, and white and heavy-coated, scarcely produced originally for fighting, if
many of them are capable of living distinguishable from the sheep they reared in the home and socialized
outdoors in all weathers. spend their lives guarding. early, they can adapt to life as a pet.
A collie rounding up its flock is for Guard duties of another kind are often
most people the archetypal shepherd carried out by dogs of the mastiff type, LIVESTOCK GUARDIANS
dog, but many other types of dog are recognizable as descendants of the The protective instincts of breeds
used to work with livestock. These enormous Molossus dogs seen in such as the Kuvasz make these dogs
unsuitable for the inexperienced owner.
pastoral breeds, as they are known, friezes and artifacts from the ancient
are used for both herding and guarding. world. Such breeds as the Bullmastiff,
Herding dogs have a natural instinct for the Dogue de Bordeaux, and the
driving stock, though not all of them Neapolitan Mastiff are used worldwide
work in the same way. Border Collies, by security forces and for guarding
for example, keep their sheep in order property. Typically, these dogs
by stalking and staring, while the are massively built and powerful,
traditional cattle herders such as Welsh with small ears (often cropped in
Corgis and the Australian Cattle Dog countries where the practice is
nip at heels, and some herders bark as still legal) and pendulous lips.
they work. Guardian sheepdogs, which Many working breeds are
include mountain breeds such as the excellent as companion dogs.
Pastoral herders are extremely
intelligent and generally easy
to train and often enjoy using
their skills in agility trials and
other canine competitions.
Livestock guardian dogs,
because of their sheer size and
protective nature, are less likely
AGILITY TRIALS
Border Collies are often seen
displaying their agility and
intelligence at working dog trials.

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