The History of Working Dogs

The American Kennel Club's Working Group division of dogs recognizes 26 breeds. Some of the world's largest breeds are in this group, including the Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Mastiff and Newfoundland. These powerful animals were originally bred to labor under harsh conditions, working in a variety of roles such as shepherds, guard dogs, sled-pulling dogs or rescue dogs. Because of their size and temperament, these dogs are generally not ideal for first-time dog owners.

  1. Shepherding and Farm Dogs

    • Some of the oldest dog breeds were originally bred by nomadic shepherd tribes to herd and guard livestock. They are often a similar color to the livestock so they can blend in with the herd. These dogs include the Anatolian Shepherd of Turkey, the Great Pyrenees from Central Asia, the Komondor of Hungary, the Kuvasz originally of Tibet and the Rottweiler, whose origins date back to ancient Rome, though the modern breed was developed in Germany,

      Other breeds were developed for general farm labor. Their jobs included cart-pulling, herding, guarding livestock and other farm goods, and in some cases, catching rats and other farm pests. These breeds include the Giant and standard varieties of Schnauzers from Germany, the German Pinscher, the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

    Guard and War Dogs

    • Often ferocious in appearance but highly intelligent and trainable, certain dog breeds were developed to guard people and property and have, on occasion, worked as soldier dogs. The Doberman Pinscher of Germany is widely recognized as a guard dog. The Bull Mastiff originated in England, where it was used to protect game estates from poachers. The Black Russian Terrier was developed after World War II to serve the Soviet Union through a variety of tasks, including guard dog. The Mastiff and Neapolitan Mastiff breeds served in the army of the Roman Empire.

    Hunting Dogs

    • Not to be confused with sporting dogs, hunting dogs were not bred to merely help the hunter find game. They played an active role in accosting the game or holding it at bay until the hunter arrived. Several large breeds hunted boars, including the Great Dane. The Dogue de Bordeaux hunted bears as well as boars, and the Boxer of Germany hunted wild boar and bison. A Japanese hunting dog, the Akita, was first introduced to the U.S. in 1937 by Helen Keller.

    Sled Dogs

    • Sled dogs are stocky, hardy breeds built to withstand arctic climates and hard working conditions. Historically, these dogs transported people and goods across the frozen tundras of Siberia, Alaska and northern Canada. The Siberian Husky is one of the most widely-recognized sled dogs and often competes in dogsled races. Similar in appearance, the Alaskan Malamute was developed by Innuit tribes. The Samoyed of Siberia is considered a sled dog but was also once used in herding reindeer.

    Other Jobs

    • The Newfoundland originated on the coast and performed fishing labor, such as pulling nets and carting timber. The Portuguese Water Dogs, another coastal breed, performed tasks such as diving for fish and guarding the fishing boats. The Saint Bernard traditionally rescued lost travelers and avalanche victims in the Swiss and Italian Alps.

    Modern Jobs for Working Dogs

    • Modern technology has eliminated the need for working dogs in some roles, but they are still widely used in farming and as guard dogs. Working dogs also serve in police and military forces as well as in rescue and emergency organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.