Selecting the Right Dog: Part 5

Dogs in the Working group were originally bred to perform a wide variety of jobs. Tasks such as herding, driving, pulling, hauling, hunting and rescuing require a dog that is sizable and strong. Further, working dogs generally develop a close relationship with their owners. Over the years, working dogs have proven to be very trainable intelligent, loyal and protective guard dogs. Although modern machinery has negated the need for working dogs to do many of these tasks, they still prove themselves to humans daily as service animals, rescue animals and guard dogs. Presently, these hard workers serve mostly as guard dogs, police dogs, sled dogs and rescue dogs. Some of the intelligent and brave dogs that make up the Working Dog category are:

Bernese Mountain Dog

This dog is strong, sturdy and agile. The Bernese has a weather resistant coat of moderately long, thick and straight or slightly wavy. The dog is tricolor, with symmetrical black, rust, or white symmetrical markings. Bernese Mountain Dogs love children, and make cheerful, intelligent pets. The breed makes a good watchdog, but it should be noted they mature slower than other breeds, and thus act like puppies longer. This dog is not recommended for apartment life, and do their best in large, fenced in yards. Bernese Mountain Dogs also fare better in cooler climates and are very sensitive to heat due to their thick coats. Weight gain, cancer, and eyelid problems are common health issues.

Boxer

This compact pooch packs a powerful bite. The boxer has a short, smooth, close fitting coat in tan, fawn, brindle, mahogany, or black, sometimes with white markings. As a high-spirited, happy, energetic dog, Boxers get along famously with children, and even other pets such as cats. Boxers are good dogs in obedience competitions, as they are eager and quick learners. They do require a lot of human leadership in order to be taught not to be unruly or overly boisterous. Extremely athletic, boxers need a daily pack walk, as well as mental exercises, but do fine in an apartment under these conditions. Health concerns include heart and thyroid problems, allergies, epilepsy, tumors, deafness and hip dysplasia. Further, some may drool, snore and be flatulent often. Boxers will attempt to attain dominance, and they must absolutely be corrected in these instances. If these animals are not well controlled, they can become sneaky, demanding, and stubborn. With firm, confident leadership and correction, the Boxer is an excellent family pet.

Bullmastiff

This powerful, massively built dog sports a wrinkled brow, with floppy v-shaped ears, a strong tail and dense, rough coat of brindle, fawn or red fur, sometimes with black markings on the head. An excellent, alert guard dog, Bullmastiffs are good tempered and docile most of the time. This breed is fearless if provoked, and will usually knock down an intruder and hold him rather than attack. Loyal and calm, these dogs generally get on well with children, but need a firm master who is confident and consistent. Obedience training is very important, as is maintaining his position of submissiveness to humans. The Bullmastiff does tend to drool and snore, and puppies can be a bit uncoordinated and clumsy. These dogs do okay in an apartment living situation as long as they are properly exercised. They cannot tolerate extreme temperatures. Bullmastiffs not properly exercised exhibit bad behavior. Cancer, hip dysplasia, tumors, eyelid problems and bloat can all lead to unexpected medical bills in this breed.

Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman is a medium-sized compact, muscular dog with almond shaped brown eyes with cropped, erect ears, and a docked tail in some countries. If the ears are not cropped and taped, they are similar to hound ears. It is illegal in Europe to crop ears or dock tails. The dog's short, thick coat is black, red, blue, fawn, or white. Nose color varies with coat color, as well. This breed is very energetic and strong, with lots of stamina. Dobermans love to be with their human family and are not well suited for kennel or backyard living. With appropriate obedience training, human interaction and leadership, these dogs can be loyal, tolerant, dedicated and affectionate. Dobermans are determined, assertive and adaptable to different work and are easily trained. Health problems include wobbler syndrome, blood disorders, obesity, skin disease, bloat, hip dysplasia, and heart defects.

Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer is a large but compact dog that looks like a larger version of a Standard Schnauzer. This dog has a wiry, hard, dense outer coat of solid black or salt and pepper with a soft undercoat that causes the hair to stand slightly off of the back. Around the face area are busy whiskers, beard and eyebrows that give these dogs their characteristic faces. This breed is intelligent and versatile, and easily trained. Reliable, brave, loyal, bold and vigorous., they love to be with their owners and they are not suited to outdoor living. They are wonderful guard dogs, due mainly to their tremendous size. These dogs can be giant, lovable goofy pals when socialized, exercised and trained appropriately. Giants need twice daily exercise. Giant Schnauzers are obedient, agile and protective, but left to their own instincts without proper training, can be very destructive. These dogs have a non-shed coat. Medical problems include cancer, bloat, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia.

Great Dane

Dogs similar to the Great Dane were in Chinese literature and Egyptian tombs, dating back to 3000 B.C, so this dog is an old and well-established breed. The giant, powerful Great Dane has a short, thick coat in brindle, fawn, black, blue, mantle harlequin and merle, which is not a recognized color. Sometimes with a recessive gene, chocolate occurs, but it is not a recognized color, either. The Great Dane is known as a "gentle giant." These dogs are affectionate, playful and patient with children. Great Danes have a need to be around people. They are reliable, trustworthy and dependable. Great Danes make good pets, but also function well as watchdogs. Training should start immediately from puppy-hood to establish boundaries and leader status. Great Danes are prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, heart disease, tumors and tail injuries. Because the Great Dane needs sufficient exercise, dogs of this breed do better with a large yard. Daily grooming is not difficult, but bathing is a major chore.

Newfoundland

The Newfoundland breed is composed of strong massive dogs with flat double coats that include black, black with blue highlights, black with white markings, brown, gray, and white with black markings (known as Landseer, also a separate breed in some European countries). These huge dogs are sweet, courageous, intelligent and generous. They are devoted and obedient to their master. As they are large, they move rather slowly. They do not often bark, but are protective when the need arises. The Newfoundland is sociable and gentle, and loves children. Despite their size, Newfoundlands prefer to live with the human family and play outside. The dog is a gentle, messy giant that drools and makes messes when eating and drinking, loves to swim or lie in water, and is very sensitive. Appropriate training is necessary to ensure the dog knows its place in the pack-family, but is not an aggressive dog, and is not known to attack. A colder climate is preferable, as the breed does not tolerate heat well, and a small yard for sufficient play and exercise is necessary. Daily brushing of the thick, coarse coat is mandatory, and extra care is necessary twice a year when the undercoat is shed. The Newfoundland is prone to heart disease and hip dysplasia, as well as obesity if overfed.

Rottweiler

This large, powerful dog has a muscular body covered in short, thick black with rust to mahogany markings on the cheeks, muzzle, paws and legs. There is also a color variation of red with brown markings due to a deficiency in the hair gene. There is some controversy as to whether there are two variations (German and American), but some clubs only recognize American Rottweiler looks as a standard. Commonly known as the Rottie, this breed is strong and powerful. They are also calm, trainable, and courageous and make devoted pets and guard dog for owners and family. These dogs will fiercely protect their human families, and seem to be immune to pain in protective situations. This breed requires an even-tempered, brave, confident owner that can establish and maintain dominance. Training must start while still a puppy, due to size and strength. These dogs are routinely used in police, military and customs work. These dogs are not happy with kennel or backyard life, and prefer socialization under proper human leadership. ACL damage, hip dysplasia, snoring, and entropion are possible medical problems to consider. Rottweilers need lots of exercise and work daily, but prefer not to live outdoors, separated from family.

Of course, it goes without saying that these types of dogs are not right for everyone. Make sure you have the right type of home, the finances to feed and care for these dogs, and the temperament to keep them under control and well trained before bringing one into your home. If you are the right owner for a working dog, enjoy your new friend.