The gray wolf,the predecessor of today’s dog,was domesticated 15,000 years ago,and has since lived,worked with and assisted man in many different roles. Their first roles were probably hunting and protection and early owners of dogs will then have found that they could be used to help pull loads,control vermin and herd domesticated livestock. In the intervening 15,000 years almost as many uses have been found for dogs as there are breeds,which is not surprising as many dogs were selectively bred to excel in specific working roles.
Today,working dogs are used in a huge variety of roles. Many are specifically bred and/or trained to help people with disabilities. There are guide dogs for the blind,dogs for the deaf or hard of hearing,dogs who are used for therapy for people with psychological problems;there are even dogs that can alert their owner when the owner is about to have an epileptic fit ,or a narcoleptic when he is about to have a narcoleptic episode,allowing the owner time to take precautions or even to seek medical attention. Some dogs have been used to pull vehicles designed for people with physical disabilities that make walking difficult or impossible. Some have been used by people with physical and/or mental disabilities to allow them a lifestyle with greater independence from parents or helpers.
Some of the breeds that are well known as working dogs include Shepherd Dogs,Bernese Mountain Dog, German Shepherd,Great Dane, Saint Bernard,Husky, Tibetan Mastiff,Boxer and Rottweiller. Some of these are known for specific roles,such as the Shepherd Dog,but some of the bigger breeds are suitable for a wide range of jobs that male use of their size and strength. For example the Alaskan Malamute is one of the most powerful and strong working dogs,and although some families have this type of breed as a pet,they are more suited to pulling sleds,and performing different mountainous activities with their owners. Dobermans and German Shepherds are good learners and retain their training well,so are commonly used as police dogs or in war or disaster scenarios (e.g. for search and rescue). The Rottweiler was used for herding and also for a war dog and Roman soldiers used the breed to herd their cattle.
Most working dogs have a different type of personality,usually more aggressive,requiring a professional trainer who knows what type of behavior to expect from such a dog. Yet,despite the size and inherent aggression of some working dogs,they are sometimes taken on as pets. Without proper training this can be quite dangerous and there have been numerous news stories about certain breeds attacking their owners,their owner’s friends and family,strangers and even killing young children. In some countries certain breeds that have a history of attacking people cannot be kept as pets,others have to be muzzled when outside.
Some of the more aggressive breeds are deliberately selected by human males as a kind of status symbol or to indicate a level of machismo. Unfortunately these dogs are seldom trained to properly interact with humans and in fact are encouraged by their owners to be aggressive towards humans and other dogs.
More people are killed by dogs than bears and sharks combined.
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