Working Dogs
Working breeds were developed to guard homes and livestock, and to perform various duties requiring strength, intelligence and stamina. In ancient times, when the master was away, these dogs would fiercely watch over their human families, offering protection from both man and beast. In times of war they accompanied their masters into battle, fighting as four-legged soldiers. In modern times, many have been developed for special purposes such as police and rescue work.
Working breeds are either large or giant in stature. Breeds like the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky were developed from wolf-like dogs that were suited for severe weather conditions and that would have the stamina and intelligence to pull heavy sleds for thousands of miles. Other working breeds, such as the St. Bernard, are renowned for their courage and intuition when performing search and rescue work in avalanche conditions.
Because they have a protective nature, many working breeds are aloof with strangers. For this same reason, these dogs need to become accustomed to children at an early age since a child’s unpredictable movements and high-pitched voice can trigger a prey reaction in a poorly socialized dog.
The most popular working breed in the US is the Rottweiler. Working breeds with the mildest temperaments are the Samoyed, Saint Bernard, Siberian Husky, Portuguese Water Dog and Newfoundland. Those with the most dominant and potentially aggressive personalities are the Akita, Rottweiler, Boxer, Komondor and the Doberman. Other familiar working breeds include the Great Dane, Alaskan Malamute and Standard Schnauzer.
The more dominant breeds are not suitable for first time dog owners unwilling to commit to formal obedience training. With these breeds, it is especially important that humans establish themselves as being "in charge" from the moment a puppy is brought home. An unsocialized, poorly trained working breed puppy can easily become an overbearing, dominant dog.
Working breeds with thick, northern type coats shed heavily once or twice a year. During these periods, unless these dogs get daily brushing, carpets, couches and clothing will be covered with the airborne hair.
Since many working dogs have a tendency to suffer from hip dysplasia and other degenerative joint diseases, they should only be purchased from responsible breeders that screen their breeding stock for genetic abnormalities.

Types of Working Dogs
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Bernese Mountain
Boxer
Bullmastiff
Doberman
Giant Schnauzer
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain
Komondor
Kuvasz
Leonberger
Mastiff
Newfoundland
Portuguese Water
Rottweiler
Saint Bernard
Samoyed
Siberian Husky

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