Working Dog Breeds: Breed Traits And Characteristics

Every dog is unique and requires understanding and patience from their pet parents, but a dog’s breed can often give new pet parents a bit of clarity about how to raise and take care of their pup. Working dog breeds — like Great Danes, Saint Bernards, and Rottweilers — come with plenty of training and care challenges, but they can be incredibly loving and devoted family dogs.

“Working dogs are usually very beautiful and incredibly intelligent,” says Robert Haussmann, CPDT-KA, Trainer, Behavior Consultant, and Co-founder of Dogboy NYC. “This can draw people in when selecting their next dog. However, it is often overlooked that working dogs need to be engaged both mentally and physically for much of their day.”

Learn all about working dog breeds, their characteristics, and what to expect if you bring an energetic working dog into your home and family.

What is considered a working breed dog?

So, what is a working dog? Working breeds may have been bred for a specific task, like herding or hunting, or they may have adapted over time to work with and for humans. Many working dogs still engage in jobs or activities like herding, tracking, retrieving, agility, and obedience. Some even work with the military or law enforcement or assist individuals as service dogs.

What are the characteristics of a working dog breed?

These breeds tend to be very focused and driven to complete their tasks and make their handlers or trainers happy. Working dogs are usually calm and confident and remain so even under high-pressure situations, enabling them to perform their jobs without becoming distracted or spooked. Physically, these breeds are usually medium to large with strong, powerful bodies and are some of the heaviest dog breeds.

Common working dog breeds

There are many breeds that fall under the working dog category, but some of the most popular types of working dogs include Retrievers, German Shepherds, Hounds, Siberian Huskies, Great Pyrenees, Boxers, Australian Shepherds, Collies, Sheepdogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Rottweilers.

What to know before adopting a working breed dog:

These high-energy breeds often aren’t content to laze around the house and have a number of other specific needs that will require your time and attention, so if you have more of a sedentary or busy lifestyle, a working dog breed may not be the best choice for you.

Temperament

While working dog breeds tend to be very focused and intelligent, they can also have an independent streak. Parents of these breeds need to know how to raise a working puppy, as well as how to train and command them to curb any unwanted behaviors.

Trainability

Working dogs are highly intelligent and quickly learn new tasks, from basic commands to more advanced tricks. They’re eager to please and happy to listen and take direction, making them good companions with the right obedience training.

“Start training ASAP,” Haussmann says. “An eight-week-old puppy can learn basic cues, and you can start setting some house rules. You should also find a well-run puppy socialization play group conducted by a CCPDT or IAABC certified trainer.”

Socialization

Like most dogs, working breeds need to be exposed to the people, environments, and other animals they will encounter on a regular basis. Puppy training classes can be a fantastic way to socialize your working breed dog from a young age. You may also want to spend time at local dog parks or invest in doggy daycare.

Care

Because of their high levels of intelligence and athleticism, working dog breeds require regular daily exercise to become and remain healthy, strong dogs. This can include playtime, such as fetch or training, or exercising with you by going on a run or for a swim. These breeds also require mental stimulation, so invest in puzzles and chew toys to keep their busy minds occupied.

Many working breed dogs have long coats that require frequent grooming to prevent matting. Talk to your veterinarian about the grooming needs specific to your dog’s breed, and consider hiring the services of a professional groomer to keep them clean and healthy.

You’ll also want to make sure your working dog breed gets all the nutrition they need through high-quality dog food. Many active dogs need a high-fat, high-protein diet, so ask your vet about the best food for your dog.

Common health issues

Large breeds are more prone to orthopedic disease and joint issues such as hip dysplasia, so you may want to give your working breed dog a joint supplement as they age. Working dogs can also be more prone to injury because of their high levels of activity.

Training a working breed dog

Working breeds often require extensive training to perform at their best level in their jobs, and obedience skills have to be kept up throughout their life. Working breeds need a job to do to keep both their minds and bodies occupied, so it’s a good idea to start training when they’re puppies.

“Training will need to be front and center in your relationship,” Haussmann says. “These busy dogs need guidance and clear communication. This goes beyond teaching basic training cues and playing fetch in the park a few days a week. This may range from regular, consistent training and exercise, to being passionate about training and spending weekends engaged in a dog sport that engages your dog’s natural skills.”

Basic commands

Fortunately, working breeds are very trainable dogs. Obedience classes are one of the best ways to reduce herding behaviors like chasing and nipping, and satisfy the dog’s need for both physical and mental stimulation. Most working dogs respond well to positive reinforcement training and are usually happy to take commands and do the requested tasks well. Consider investing time and money in obedience classes into your dog’s adulthood to continue working on commands and socialization.

Advanced obedience

Because of their intelligence, working dog breeds can learn more advanced commands and tricks, such as gathering laundry off the floor and bringing it to you, cleaning up their toys, or even bringing their human parents their house slippers. Once your dog has mastered the basics, you may want to continue their training with more advanced obedience classes.

Agility

Dog sports such as agility events are a great way to entertain working breeds, keep them mentally stimulated, and strengthen the bond between dog and parent. Other competitive activities, like herding competitions and dock diving, may also be options.

Regardless of the type of training or exercise you choose, it’s important to understand your working dog’s personality and physical needs. “When a dog’s needs are not met, they develop bad habits,” Haussmann says. “This stresses the need to evaluate your lifestyle and determine if a working dog is right for you.”

Commonly asked questions:

Can a working dog be a family pet?

Many families have working dogs because they can be very loyal and loving pets. Just make sure to invest time in training to eliminate any unwanted behaviors.

What is the difference between a service dog and a working dog?

Service dogs go through extensive training to perform specific service tasks. Working dogs can be service dogs, but are more often involved in herding or other work.

What are the cons of working dogs?

Working dogs must be properly trained and require a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation, so they aren’t a good choice for more sedentary pet parents.

Can working dogs live with other dogs?

Working dogs can get along well with other dogs, but they need to be socialized as early as possible and should go through training to eliminate unwanted behaviors, like herding and nipping.

What are the characteristics of a working dog breed?

These breeds are often highly intelligent, physically strong, active, and very observant.

What does it mean if a dog is a working breed?

Working breeds were originally bred to assist humans in some way, whether guarding the home or working on a farm.

Can a working dog be a family pet?

Working dogs can make loving and devoted family pets as long as they go through basic training to eliminate any unwanted or unnecessary behaviors.

What is considered a working breed dog?

Working breed dogs were bred to have the physical ability to perform specific tasks, such as herding livestock, guarding, and pulling sleds.

How are working dogs trained?

Begin training a working dog breed puppy as soon as possible, preferably by working with a certified trainer who uses positive reinforcement.

What is the difference between a service dog and a working dog?

A service dog is trained to perform specific tasks to assist a human with a physical or mental illness. A working dog is a dog that has a job, such as herding livestock.

Is an Australian Shepherd a working dog?

Australian Shepherds were originally bred to work on farms and ranches herding livestock, and some Aussies still do that job today.

Are Australian Shepherds easy to train?

Australian Shepherds are eager to please and easy to train, but can also be stubborn at times, so it’s important to begin training an Aussie as early as possible.

What is the strongest dog breed?

Saint Bernards are generally considered the strongest dog breed because of their huge size (up to 180 pounds) and muscular bodies.

References

Australian Shepherds

Pelger-Huet Anomaly

Australian Shepherd: How to Select, Train and Raise a Healthy and Happy

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings, Volume 12