A working dog is a dog used to perform practical tasks, as opposed to pet or companion dogs.
Definitions vary on what a working dog is, they are sometimes described as any dog trained for and employed in meaningful work; other times as any dog whose breed heritage or physical characteristics lend itself to working irrespective of an individual animal's training or employment; and other times again it is used as a synonym for herding dog.[1][2][3]
Working dog types
Roles performed by dogs that sometimes sees them classified as working dogs include:
Working dogs are known as an Australian icon. They are prevalent in Australia due to the large agricultural industry. Working dogs can be seen herding cattle or sheep and are also used to guard poultry from foxes and cats. A report in 2019 stated that there were over 270,000 stock herding dogs in Australia.[9] Some popular breeds for farm work include Border Collies, Kelpies, Maremmas and Australian Cattle Dogs.
Events to showcase the skills of working dogs are held through Australia alongside key local festivals and events. Trials and performances include high jumps, sheepdog speed trials and sled or weighted pulls.[10]
Seizure response dog – Assists person during or immediately before or after a seizure
Working animal – Domesticated animals for assisting people
References
^"working dog". Collins Dictionary. HarperCollins Publishers L.L.C. 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020. a dog of suitable breed or training kept for its practical use, such as herding sheep, rather than as a pet or for showing
^"working dog". Merriam-Webster. 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020. a dog suitable by size, breeding, or training for useful work (such as draft or herding) especially as distinguished from one suitable primarily for pet, show, or sporting use
^"working dog". Lexico. Oxford University Press. 2019. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020. A dog trained to work with livestock.
^ a b c dOlson, Patricia N. (1 August 2002). "The modern working dog—a call for interdisciplinary collaboration" (PDF). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 221 (3): 352–355. doi:10.2460/javma.2002.221.352. PMID 12164529. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
^"British Carriage Dog Society". 2018-01-29. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
^ a b c"Working dog". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020. any of various breeds of dog bred as guard, herding, draft, or rescue animals.
^Rogak, Lisa (2011). The dogs of war: the courage, love and loyalty of military working dogs. New York: Thomas Dunne Books. ISBN 9781250008817.
^Coppinger, Raymond; Schneider, Richard (1995). "Evolution of working dogs". In Serpell, James (ed.). The domestic dog: its evolution, behaviour and interactions with people. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 21–50. ISBN 0521425379.
^"The history of the working dog, an 'indispensable' Aussie icon". ABC News. 2019-06-25. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
^Gasparini, Faith. "Dog Lovers Show | Outdoor Arena | Talented Working Dogs Live". Dog Lovers Show Sydney. Archived from the original on 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
^"Working Group". The Kennel Club. The Kennel Club Ltd. 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
^"Working Group". American Kennel Club. American Kennel Club, Inc. 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
^"Working Dogs". Canadian Kennel Club. 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
^"Group 5 (Working Dogs)". Australian National Kennel Council. Australian National Kennel Council Ltd. 2015. Archived from the original on 24 February 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
^"Standards of the breeds: Group 5 – Working Dogs" (PDF). New Zealand Kennel Club. Dogs New Zealand. 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.