Dogs with a Job to Do

For centuries, dogs have herded sheep, helped find missing persons, and saved lives. Today, dogs are trained to perform in films or in the circus, guard property, compete in sledding events, guide the blind, and even help children learn to read. These are more than ordinary pets with a little extra training. For the most part, working dogs are pets that crave the structure, routine and intensity of a real job. Some dogs simply love to work.

Angus, a lock-eye Border Collie, has the job of finding survivors when disaster strikes. “Angus works to get a chance to play with his toy [afterwards],” says his owner, Canine Search Specialist Lieutenant Peter Gross of the San Francisco Fire Department. For the most part, dogs like Angus get the job done because of their incredible sense of smell. In fact, dogs are able to distinguish smells at least one thousand times better than humans.

Fabulous noses aside, different types of dogs are best suited for different jobs. Border Collies and Labrador Retrievers are often trained as search and rescue dogs because they are smart and obedient, but mostly because they are what are considered “high drive.” “These dogs have been bred to work,” says Gross. “If you don’t have a job for them, they’ll find one—like digging up your backyard.” Golden Retrievers, on the other hand, are often used as therapy dogs, visiting the sick, elderly or infirmed, because these dogs are calm, gentle and friendly to strangers. German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois make great police or “K-9 dogs,” in part because their intimidating presence helps detain suspects and control crowds. Beagles, on the other hand, are often used in airport security to sniff baggage for illegal items because their friendly nature and appearance doesn’t alarm most passengers.

Almost all dogs enjoy—and sometimes actually need—having a job to do. In fact, the ASPCA encourages dog owners to exercise their pet’s brain and body on a regular basis. Ready to get down to business? Here are some of the top job-like sports for pooches and their owners today:

Agility: In one of the most popular organized sports for dogs, you and Fido race through an obstacle course as quickly and accurately as possible.

Flyball: Teams of dogs race over a series of hurdles to a box and release a spring-loaded ball that their owners must catch. Sound easy? Give it a try to find out!

Lure Coursing: Chasing a lure across a field isn’t just for Greyhounds anymore. Today, modern courses sometimes incorporate obstacles and jumps.

Let’s Rally: Want to turn up the heat? You and Fido can participate in competition obedience or Rally Obedience (Rally-O). Together as a team, you navigate a numbered course and perform a series of heeling patterns and obedience exercises.

If these activities seem too much for you or your pet, engage him with games like tug-of-war, fetch and “find the treat” for a little playful exercise around the house or at the dog park. Doing a “job” with Fido is a fun way to spend more time together and learn to work as a team. So get out there, get to “work” and enjoy!