If you are the parent of a Doberman Pinscher, a Newfoundland, a Bernese Mountain Dog, a Schnauzer, a German shepherd, or any other breed that hails from the working or herding group, there’s no doubt that you are quite familiar with his abounding energy. While these dogs make wonderful companions, they are anything but couch potatoes. They don’t just like being active; they need to be.
As they were literally bred to work, these dogs are highly energetic, and they need lots of activity in order to avoid boredom. Let an active dog lie and it’s almost certain that he will start to exhibit problematic behaviors. Offering these canines tons of activity is an absolute must; but, if taking your pooch out for walks on his dog harness regularly or providing him with tons of interactive dog toys, puzzle toys for dogs, rope and tug toys, water toys for dogs, rubber dog toys, and various other activities doesn’t seem to be enough to quench his energy, you might want to consider giving him an actual job.
Working dogs fulfill are used for a variety of very important jobs. Here’s a look at some of the top jobs that these highly intelligent and active jobs that canines from the working and herding groups can do.
Police Work
Police dogs (often referred to as K-9s) are trained to help law enforcement officials with various duties. They can help find and chase down suspects, sniff out illegal substances, and locate stolen items. Breeds that are most commonly used for police work include Malinois and German shepherds; however, a lot of working dogs can serve in this position.
Search and Rescue
Working dogs are also commonly used for search and rescue missions. Breeds that are often used for this type of work include Golden retrievers, Saint Bernards, Border collies, Labrador retrievers, and German shepherds. They are trained to track missing persons in emergency situations, avalanches, mudslides, fires, floods, and kidnapping. Their incredible sense of smell and determination allow them to find missing persons in the most remote locations.
Detective Work
Working dogs that also have an incredible sense of smell are commonly used for detective work. They are trained to locate specific items using their noses. Some of the items that they can be put to work to find include explosives, illicit drugs, human remains, missing persons, blood, and so much more! Some dogs that are used for detective work can even be used to sniff out pests, such as bed bugs, and even cancer! These canines are often used in law enforcement, as well as health care services, and even pest control. Breeds that are commonly used for this line of work include Malinois, German shepherds, and Labrador retrievers.
Therapy
There’s nothing better than the love and affection of a canine companion. Working dogs can provide companionship for individuals who have special needs; and they can also assist them with day-to-day activities. Seeing eye dogs, for example, help to guide the blind. People who suffer from epilepsy can benefit from the service of these dogs, as they can be trained to detect when a seizure is about to come on and get the necessary help when it does.
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