| The term 'work like a dog' is true. Dogs | | | | specifically to assist Police in various |
| can work in many different jobs. Their | | | | areas. |
| most common job is to bring joy to | | | | Public Order Enforcement - trained to |
| lonely people, families and children. In | | | | chase and detain suspects. |
| most cases, these working dogs are paid | | | | Illicit Substances Dogs - (sniffer |
| in love. Here are a few examples of | | | | dogs) detect illicit substances e.g. |
| working dogs. | | | | drugs, explosives. These working dogs |
| Farm Dogs | | | | are also used by Customs to sniff out |
| When you hear the phrase 'working dogs' | | | | illegal importation of wildlife, plants |
| you think of farm dogs. These are the | | | | etc. |
| original working dogs. They have a | | | | These working dogs are mainly Beagles. |
| natural instinct for working livestock | | | | Cadaver dogs - Because dogs have an |
| and herding sheep. My Corgi loved | | | | acute sense of smell they can detect the |
| rounding up the lawnmower and vacuum | | | | odour of decomposing bodies. |
| cleaner. | | | | Tracking - Locate suspects or find |
| Dog breeds that are associated with this | | | | missing people. Bloodhounds are mainly |
| type of working dog are: | | | | used. |
| Welsh Collie, Border Collie, Shetland | | | | Guide Dogs - Companion Dogs |
| Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Cardigan | | | | These working dogs aren't trained just |
| Welsh Corgi. The Australian Kelpie | | | | to assist the blind. They can be used as |
| originated from the old British working | | | | companions to children and adults who |
| Collie. The Australian Cattledog is also | | | | are disabled, old, vision and hearing |
| known as Blue Heeler, Red Heeler and | | | | impaired, isolated. |
| Queensland Heeler. | | | | It takes nearly 2 years to train a pup |
| The use of motorcycles instead of | | | | to become a working dog and includes 5 |
| working dogs on a property has become | | | | months of intensive dog training. After |
| more popular but nothing can replace a | | | | about 14 months with a Puppy Raiser, the |
| trained working dog. | | | | pup goes to the Guide Dog Centre where |
| Guard Dogs | | | | he is assessed. If he doesn't qualify to |
| People think that their dog is a guard | | | | become a working dog for the Guide Dogs, |
| dog because he barks (refer my article | | | | he is again assessed to become a Pets |
| 'To Bark or Not to Bark - That is the | | | | for Therapy working dog for |
| Question'). These dogs are working dogs | | | | disadvantaged people. If the pup fails |
| but are really watch dogs. They bark to | | | | he is then offered to the Puppy Raiser |
| warn. A guard dog is a working dog who | | | | as a pet. |
| is trained and employed to retrain or | | | | The only dog breeds used are purebred |
| attack an intruder. | | | | Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Labrador |
| Most common dog breeds used for this | | | | Golden Retriever crosses because they |
| kind of working dog are: | | | | are calm, loyal and intelligent. |
| Doberman, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, | | | | Working dogs are used in a greater |
| Bullmastiff and American Bulldog. | | | | capacity today as man realises the |
| Police Dogs | | | | benefits of having a canine friend in |
| These working dogs are trained | | | | the workplace. |