Do your dogs work (ie anything OTHER than a pet)?

Question

If so, what do they do?

Who benefits from the work your dog(s) do and in what way?

What breed/type of dogs do you use?

What is it about that breed/type that makes it particularly suitable for the job it does?

Are there any other breeds/types that could also be considered suitable for the job?

Anything else you can tell me on the subject?

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I only ask because every dog I've ever owned has been a pet (and they've each done that "job" really well) - I'm not familiar with the "other side" of dog ownership, and I'm just interested.

Whereabouts in the world do you do this work?

Is the job your dog does now in any way different to what the breed was ORIGINALLY bred for?

Answer 1

I have an American Pit Bull Terrier who is a therapy dog. I think she's suitable for this job because she's friendly, calm and can stand anything. She doesn't care if you poke her in the eye, ear, nose anywhere. She's great with all people, children, the elderly, any situation, any type of place, and any type of animal.

She was the youngest APBT in Canada to become a therapy dog and has been doing it for almost 4 years now.

Answer 2

Excellent question!

Yes, my dogs are sled dogs.

I suppose I benefit from their work, because I enjoy running sled dogs, and watching them do their *actual* job allows me to make more informed decisions about my breeding program. It's also good exercise. :)

However, I think they also benefit from their work, because they love getting out there and doing it, and -- again -- it's excellent exercise!

Siberian Huskies were bred to be sled dogs -- everything from their body proportion and structure to the shape of their feet was designed to make them a better sled dog, capable of "carrying light loads, at moderate speeds, over great distances".

There are several other breeds that were also developed as sled dogs, including the Samoyed and Alaskan Malamute. Because sled dog racing has become a big money sport, the Alaskan Husky and Eurohound has also been developed (specifically for racing).

Anything else I can tell you? Hmmm. These dogs *live* for this. They scream to go. I only wish that more people could experience seeing their dogs "in their element", doing what they were bred to do.

Original function is KEY -- if more people understood that, rather than looking only at "great markings" and "papers" as criteria to breed, purebred dogs would be a lot better off.

ADDED:
"Whereabouts in the world do you do this work?"

The Rocky Mountain region of the United States.

"Is the job your dog does now in any way different to what the breed was ORIGINALLY bred for?"

Nope. :) You could argue that sled dog racing wasn't their original purpose (helping the Siberian Chukchi natives to survive was), but since we no longer race (just run recreationally) I guess the dogs are still doing their job.

Answer 3

My dog is my pet but he works for his room & board. (Farm girl mentality!)

My dog has two jobs, 1. protect me and my house. 2. He is trail scout. (I horseback ride, backpack & hike, I often take novices out with me into Alaska's backcountry & show them around...sometimes paid.) My dog trained (I should really say training 7 months old.) to scout the trail & alert me if there is any animals or people close by. He also guards camp at night & long before any critters get near our camp sight he has alerted us that some are close by.

I benefit from what my dog is trained to do & so does whoever is out with me when I'm hiking or packing. I'm kept safe & protected. If for whatever reason I am attacked by a wild animal my dog acts as the bait until I can either get my riffle up or get away.

I have an Akita. They are used in Japan for bear hunting, & guard dogs. (Some mothers will even use them as baby sisters.)

They are protective by nature, very smart, aggressive & dyingly loyal. (they are a hard to train if you are inexperienced but once trained extremely obedient to you)

I'm sure there are many breeds suitable, German Shepard’s come to mind but I don't know of any other breed that would be quite as good at what I need it to do as this one.

I think I covered it.

Answer 4

I have a few dogs. My chihuahuas do not work and would not work if you paid them. But, they were bred to be companion dogs and are also female (with this breed, it makes a difference). They are retired show dogs, both champions, and one did substantial showing with me when I showed in Juniorshowmanship.

My second dog is a 9 month old german shepherd. While I purchased her as a pet, I also purchased her with the intention of doing "working events". She will start her tracking and herding training this spring. In additon to this, once she is older I plan on us becoming SAR certified (Search and Rescue). Thus she will be able to work and we'll be on a list for local police stations etc to contact for assistance.

Answer 5

I have Border Collies - originally bred for sheep herding.

My dogs work in Obedience, Agility and Working trials - they love it.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

i had 2 Alaskan Malamutes that where trained in rescuing people from land sllids and also my partner was a police officer in canada before we moved to the uk now he has german shepards as he is a dog handler

Answer 8

like border collies work on a farm and i see golden retrievers, newfounlands, and many other nice dogs visiting patients at many types of hospitals (example: normal, nursing homes, addiction centers)

Answer 9

own three border collies one does agility one does obedience and the other is a show dog

Answer 10

my border collie is a herding dog and people benifit cause they don't have to herd farm animals and he has natural instinct to do it he's not trained to do it he also is an agility dog an dthat's benificial cause it brings joy to him and me