The clean lines and sleek look of the Doberman pinscher are aesthetically pleasing, while at the same time incredibly imposing. Described as watchful, energetic, determined, loyal and obedient, the Doberman’s alert ears and aerodynamic outline make them instantly recognizable. As a member of the working group, Dobermans are uniquely equipped for a variety of jobs. …
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Fearless and imposing, the bullmastiff is a working dog with a purpose. This large, imposing breed was developed by 19th-century hunters to guard and protect game on English estates. Poaching on estates was an extensive problem, so gamekeepers crossed English mastiffs with the now-extinct Olde English bulldog to create a guard dog that would protect …
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Known for their soft expressions, noisy baying and fiercely acute noses, beagles are loved by multitudes around the world. Distant cousins to foxhounds and harriers, these hardworking scenthounds often have naughty streaks, yet, with the right coaching and enough training, are extremely loyal to their packs — whether hunting rabbits and other small game or …
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Known as lovable, affectionate, intelligent, and sometimes goofy, Boxers are bright and possess a good work ethic. Their alert expression and athletic frame allows them to move smoothly and gracefully, just like the athletes whose occupation they share their name with, and—just like Muhammed Ali or Sugar Ray Leonard—they defend their families and their titles …
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Vizslas are fierce hunting companions with roots at least a millennium deep. Marauding Magyar warriors from Russia rode on horseback across Western Europe in the 800s, with their powerful, copper-colored dogs leaping beside them. The conquerors eventually settled in Hungary, where they became herdsmen and hunters. Stone carvings in the Carpathian Mountains, estimated to be …
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Named for the mountains that form the border between France and Spain, Great Pyrenees were bred to work beside shepherds and their flocks. They didn’t actually drive the sheep (other herding dogs were responsible for that); instead, they served as guard dogs, protecting the flock from wolves, bears and sheep rustlers. The massive white dogs …
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According to legend, the phrase “three dog night” describes a night so frigid that early hunter-gatherer people needed three dogs to sleep with them to stave off the cold. Although where the phrase originated is unclear, it could very easily have originated with the semi-nomadic Samoyed people of Siberia and their namesake Samoyed dogs. In …
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Huskies originated in northern Siberia, one of the coldest and most inhospitable regions of the world. There, they served as sled dogs and companions for the Chukchi people, carrying food and supplies between inland settlements. Over time, these semi-nomadic people were forced to extend their hunting territory to the sea. Thankfully, their huskies were uniquely …
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Although you might assume Great Danes originated in Denmark, the breed traces its origins to Germany. Centuries ago, German nobility bred this giant breed to hunt and kill wild boars. To create a powerful hunter, they combined the height of the Irish wolfhound, the speed of the greyhound and the muscular brawn of the English …
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Even the most high-powered batteries can’t deliver nonstop energy like the border collie. Bred to drive sheep herds, borders are determined to herd anything on hand, even if it means corralling your kids in the backyard. While technically not considered a working breed, they’re arguably the workaholics of the herding dog category. Although sheepherding jobs …
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