The Working Group features breeds that, between them, do a variety of jobs- guarding, carrying loads, or pulling sleds and other vehicles, law enforcement duties and rescue work, for example. Some are bred to carry out more than one task. Thus for example, the Alaskan Malamute is a powerful sled pulling dog, but it?s huge size and loud bark mean that it also performs an important role as a guard dog. In addition to these roles, many of the dogs in this group are the most popular of pets.
Despite any differences in vital statistics, what these dogs all have in common is generations of breeding that has brought them to the peak of perfection. Each dog, whatever its size, is ideally suited to the task expected of it. Many are indispensable servants of mankind. Most also share the common traits of intelligence and obedience and an inbuilt desire to do the job for which they were bred.
Nomadic shepherd tribes adopted mountain dogs to act as guards, both to protect the herd from wolves, bears and other predators, and to act as watchdogs against thieves and other enemies of the tribesman. Thus the dogs had to be big and strong and courageous. Interestingly, light colored or white dogs were favored, since at night they could be more easily distinguished from attackers by the shepherds.
Later as some of these mountain tribes began to settle in the fertile valleys and lowlands, the need for such large cumbersome dogs began to diminish. The requirement now was for smaller, faster and more mobile dogs that could keep large flocks of domestic animals together. Many of these dogs became the ancestors of of modern day sheepdogs, such as the various types of collies.
It is vital that the dogs are instinctively protective towards their owner and the animals they are looking after. These traits, together with a high degree of intelligence and willingness to be trained, means that dogs of this type also make excellent guard dogs.
Here's a sort list of some of the dogs found in the Working Group-
Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain dog, Bullmastiff, Doberman, Eskimo dog, Great Dane, Hungarian Kuvasz, Pinscher, Great Pyrenees, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Swedish Valhund
