We're the Working Group, some of the largest, strongest, hard-working dogs recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club). Most of us dog breeds in the Working Group were bred to perform specific jobs as we worked with man. Some of us were bred to be cart dogs, some bred as sled dogs, some bred as guard dogs, some bred as rescue dogs, and some bred as protection dogs.
Our group contains some very large and powerful dog breeds who can weigh well over 150 lbs, and our common trait is our need to work. These days with jobs for working dogs not as plentiful, some of us still do work, pulling wheeled carts, racing in dog sled team races, and assisting people in their daily life. Many of us are now enjoying life as companion and show dogs.
Some of our roots of origin, can be traced back to Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Siberia, Hungary, and the Swiss and Italian Alps. We've been linked to Julius Caesar of ancient Rome, the Celts of 4,000 years ago, and the Eskimo Malamute tribe of Alaska.
We're dog breeds that are pretty well known. Most people can recognize the Boxer, Saint Bernard, and the Great Dane. We've been part of popular culture for quite some time. For instance, we have a long-standing newspaper comic strip featuring "Marmaduke", the Great Dane.
We're involved in organized dog sled racing, the most famous race being the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, an 1150 mile trek across the frozen Alaskan terrain from Anchorage to Nome, held each year in March.
And there's the cartoons and drawings of the huge Saint Bernard rescue dog, who (for some reason) is usually shown with a small brandy keg around its neck. But perhaps the breakout star of the Working Group has to be another Great Dane, cartoon character, "Scoobie Doo", who's been depicted in books, movies, television, and mass merchandising.
We take our celebrity status and notarity in stride because we're some of the largest and strongest dogs in the canine kingdom.
As sled dogs, we were bred to pull sleds and haul cargo over long distances. Our travels have taken us over the frozen terrain even up to the North Pole. Our group of Nordic breed dogs includes the Siberian Husky, and we just love the cold weather and outdoor activities. We're very strong and require a great deal of physical exercise.
As cart or draft dogs, our breeds originated in the Swiss Alps, and were bred to work as all-purpose farm dogs. We learned to guard livestock flocks and pull carts of food to market. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, or "Swissy", is one of the largest and oldest of the Swiss dog breeds.
As rescue dogs, we were bred to find and rescue people in precarious situations. Two of our group's best known heaviest and mightiest rescue dogs-the Saint Bernard and the Newfoundland-are large and in charge. The Saint Bernard, originally from the Swiss Alps, was bred to perform rescues on land, aiding lost travelers in snowstorms and avalanches. Folklore suggests that brandy kegs around our necks were standard equipment. In addition to its work hauling nets, or pulling carts, the Newfoundland, named for its country of origin, is best known for performing water rescues. The "Newfie" with its webbed feet and water-resistant coat is well-equipped for the task.
Livestock, and property, and homes, oh my. As guard and protection dogs, we were bred to look after just about everything. The Rottweiler is one dog that was orginally bred to drive cattle, or serve as a watch dog, police, or guard dog. Need some help guarding the flocks of sheep? No problem-the Hungarian Komondor, with its heavy, rugged coat, was bred to protect livestock against predatory wolves, bears, and other menacing animals.
As Working Group dogs, with our high activity levels and large, powerful sizes, structured training and, early socialization is a must. You wouldn't want us to bowl over visiting Aunt Edna with one swish of our large tail, would you?
We're intelligent, hard working, breeds who are easy to train. Many of us are strong-willed, affectionate, and we're also very loyal and devoted to our owner and family.
If the thought of copious amounts of dog fur sends you running and screaming from your vacuum cleaner, then we may not be the breeds for you. Many of us have a thick double coat of fur which gets shed. Some of our breeds may not be suitable for first-time owners, as we're very large and powerful. Most importantly, without proper training and proper exercise, we can become aggressive, unruly, or destructive. Oh, and then there's the dog drool that some of us produce...
Some of our breeds, especially the Boxer, Saint Bernard, and the Newfoundland are very fond of children and make good family dogs, who'll tolerate pretty much any kind of activities. But because we are so large, you'd want to supervise us around your young ones-we wouldn't want to knock them over!
Some of our breeds in the Working Group are prone to a lot of shedding, which might cause allergy sufferers to experience symptoms. The AKC has mentioned the Portuguese Water Dog, and the Standard Schnauzer as two dogs that allergy sufferers might want to consider.
Here's a listing of dog breeds in the Working Group:Anatolian Shepherd Dog (Guard)Black Russian Terrier (Protection)Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Cart)
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