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