Working Dogs

Article Title: Working Dogs
Author: Kay Stevens

The term 'work like a dog' is true. Dogs can work in many
different jobs. Their most common job is to bring joy to lonely
people, families and children. In most cases, these working dogs
are paid in love. Here are a few examples of working dogs.

Farm Dogs

When you hear the phrase 'working dogs' you think of farm
dogs. These are the original working dogs. They have a natural
instinct for working livestock and herding sheep. My Corgi loved
rounding up the lawnmower and vacuum cleaner.

Dog breeds that are associated with this type of working dog
are:

Welsh Collie, Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh
Corgi, Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The Australian Kelpie originated
from the old British working Collie. The Australian Cattledog is
also known as Blue Heeler, Red Heeler and Queensland Heeler.

The use of motorcycles instead of working dogs on a property
has become more popular but nothing can replace a trained
working dog.

Guard Dogs

People think that their dog is a guard dog because he barks
(refer my article 'To Bark or Not to Bark - That is the
Question'). These dogs are working dogs but are really watch
dogs. They bark to warn. A guard dog is a working dog who is
trained and employed to retrain or attack an intruder.

Most common dog breeds used for this kind of working dog are:

Doberman, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Bullmastiff and American
Bulldog.

Police Dogs

These working dogs are trained specifically to assist Police in
various areas.

Public Order Enforcement - trained to chase and detain
suspects.

Illicit Substances Dogs - (sniffer dogs) detect illicit
substances e.g. drugs, explosives. These working dogs are also
used by Customs to sniff out illegal importation of wildlife,
plants etc.
These working dogs are mainly Beagles.

Cadaver dogs - Because dogs have an acute sense of smell they
can detect the odour of decomposing bodies.

Tracking - Locate suspects or find missing people. Bloodhounds
are mainly used.

Guide Dogs - Companion Dogs

These working dogs aren't trained just to assist the blind.
They can be used as companions to children and adults who are
disabled, old, vision and hearing impaired, isolated.

It takes nearly 2 years to train a pup to become a working dog
and includes 5 months of intensive dog training. After about 14
months with a Puppy Raiser, the pup goes to the Guide Dog Centre
where he is assessed. If he doesn't qualify to become a working
dog for the Guide Dogs, he is again assessed to become a Pets
for Therapy working dog for disadvantaged people. If the pup
fails he is then offered to the Puppy Raiser as a pet.

The only dog breeds used are purebred Labradors, Golden
Retrievers, Labrador/Golden Retriever crosses because they are
calm, loyal and intelligent.

Working dogs are used in a greater capacity today as man
realises the benefits of having a canine friend in the
workplace.

About The Author: Kay Stevens is the publisher of
http://www.corgidogworld.com which is a site dedicated to the
Corgi breed of dog as well as all dog breeds. The site contains
information, articles and quality products for the wellbeing of
your Corgi and all dog breeds.

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