10 Different Types of Working Dogs and the Jobs They Do

Have you ever wondered what working dogs do? Well, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will go over the different types of working dogs and the jobs they perform. From guide dogs to sled-pulling dogs, these pups do a wide range of jobs that make life better for their humans.

The American Kennel Club categorizes 31 breeds as Working Dogs, which it defines as dogs bred for a working purpose. The Working Group includes guard dogs such as Akitas and Dobermans as well as sled-pulling dogs like the Siberian Husky. Not all of the different types of working dogs fall in this group, however, as some - such as the German Shepherd - are categorized as Herding Dogs and others may fall in the Sporting Group. Also, many mixed-breed dogs are working dogs, and some dogs - such as the Alaskan Husky sled-pulling dog - aren’t recognized by the AKC.

10 Different Types of Working Dogs

Service Dogs

Service dogs assist people living with disabilities. A service dog may help a visually impaired person navigate the world, or offer seizure assistance for people with epilepsy. Service dogs also may be qualified to provide psychological assistance to people with PTSD or other impairments and disrupt impulsive or disruptive behaviors. Service dogs are highly trained - often undergoing more than a year of training - and are allowed in all public places. Some common breeds used for service dogs include Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, Border Collies, and mixed breeds.

Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs provide support to people in need in hospitals, schools, and other settings. These calming pups are trained to visit with nursing home residents, children, and others and provide emotional support. Any breed or mix can be a therapy dog if they pass the training requirements, and some popular therapy dog breeds include Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, German Shepherds, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Sled Dogs

Sled dogs are trained to pull sleds - often competing in competitions like the Iditarod Race - over snowy, northern terrain. Working sled dogs have high energy and stamina, and can cross rough, snowy landscapes for hundreds of miles. Some of the most popular sled dog breeds include Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Chinooks, and Alaskan Huskies.

Police Dogs

Police dogs are one of the different types of working dogs that assist security officers. These energetic pups are specially trained to help police officers and may provide protection services, track people, find crime scene evidence, or search for drugs and explosives. Some of the top police dog breeds are the Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, and German Shepherd.

Military Dogs

Military dogs assist military personnel with a large range of tasks when in combat. The U.S. military uses working dogs in all branches of the service. These special canine forces may track, patrol, attack, find explosives, and provide search and rescue services. The most common military dog breeds include Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds.

Herding Dogs

Herding dogs have been helping farmers round up and protect cattle, sheep, and other farm animals for centuries. These smart, athletic dogs are quick learners and some may specialize in herding while others may focus on protecting livestock. There are many herding breeds, with some of the most common ones being Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Australian Shepherds.

Search and Rescue Dogs

Search and rescue dogs (or SAR) track people in crises, providing life-saving services in times of need. A search and rescue dog may find survivors after an earthquake, flood, or other natural disaster or they may locate lost people who wander away from home or residential facilities. Search and rescue dogs operate by tracking people’s scents and following the scent trails to locate them. These lifesaving pups come in many breeds, with some common ones being Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinois, and German Shepherds.

Guard Dogs

Guard dogs protect their humans. They may guard a home or property as well as guard their families. Most guard dogs are breeds that have been bred to guard and their natural guarding instincts help them carry out their protection duties. Some people take it a step further and train their guard dogs for protection work, which may include barking, attacking, and retreating on command. Check out our post on the Top 10 Best Guard Dog Breeds to learn more about the best breeds for guarding.

Drafting Dogs

Drafting dogs have been bred to pull carts, assisting people with hauling supplies and farm work. Draft dogs are usually large, strong, and solidly built, with calm, even temperaments. Although most people don’t use dogs for drafting today, there are still dog sports for drafting and carting where these gentle giants can put their skills to good use. Some popular draft dogs are Bernese Mountain Dogs, Saint Bernards, Rottweilers, and Newfoundlands.

Hunting Dogs

Hunting dogs assist with hunting and may provide different tasks ranging from finding game to retrieving. Hunting dogs may lead hunters to prey, locate camouflaged game, or retrieve flying game like ducks. There are many breeds of hunting dogs, with Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Labradors, and Weimaraners ranking as some of the most popular pups in this category.

Resources for Working Dogs

There are a variety of different types of working dogs that help people do everything from finding lost people to herding livestock. I’ve included some of the most popular breeds for each type of working dog but keep in mind that any breed or mix with the right drive and training can be a working dog. Especially for therapy dogs and service dogs, the breed of dog matters less than the training and desire of the pup to do the work.

If you’re interested in learning more or training your dog to be a working dog, here are some resources:

The Canine Good Citizen Test is a great start if you’re interested in training your dog to do therapy work. Passing this test requires a firm grasp of basic obedience as well as good socialization skills.
Guide Dogs for the Blind is the largest guide dog training program in North America.
The National Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) Response System, established under FEMA, offers resources for search and rescue work, including a directory of search and rescue teams across the U.S.

There is not one universal accreditation for service dog training and there are many service dog training programs so do your research to make sure you find a reputable one.

Do you have a working dog? Comment below or tag Book of Dog on Instagram to share your pup. 🐕