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The working dogs are medium-to-giant size and are often independent and difficult to manage. Some were developed to guard palaces, homes, and livestock, occupations that require true grit. Others were draft animals, hauling carts of fish or cheese or carrying the worldly goods of nomadic tribes.
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Several of these breeds are jacks of many trades; Rottweiler as a cattle drover and farmer's protector; and Akitas as palace guards and big game hunters.
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Many of these breeds are aloof and independent with strangers. Working dogs should be accustomed to children at an early age, for a child's staring, quick and unpredictable movements, and high-pitched voice can trigger prey drive in unsocialized or poorly socialized adults of these breeds.
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Of the working breeds, the Samoyed, Saint Bernard, Portuguese Water Dog, Newfoundland, and Siberian Husky have the mildest temperaments, and the Akita, Rottweiler, Boxer, Komondor, and Doberman can be the most domineering.
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The remaining working breeds are Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bullmastiff; Giant Schnauzer; Great Dane; Great Pyrenees; Kuvasz; Mastiff; and Standard Schnauzer.
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A working breed that is not socialized as a puppy and young adult can easily become a domineering pet prone to jumping on people and furniture, growling at children and unconfident adults, and refusing to come when called or lie down on command.
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Often independent and difficult to manage some used in guarding and some in hauling, unsocialized at young age are prone to jumping on people and furniture, growing at children and unconfident adult.
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With few exceptions, working breeds are not suitable for first time dog owners without a commitment to formal obedience training and willingness to establish and maintain control from the moment the puppy walks in the door.
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Many of the working breeds have thick, downy undercoats and moderately long topcoats that shed once or twice each year. The undercoats are fine and drift everywhere; the topcoats are somewhat coarse and can pierce human skin. During shedding, these dogs should be combed daily. Owners need a laissez-faire attitude about neatness as the hair gets into every nook and cranny and on every piece of clothing in the house.semi-annually.
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Those who are unprepared for the volume of hair involved will wonder just how all that fuzz fit on one dog, so be sure you don't mind ubiquitous hair if you consider one of these breeds.
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Other working breeds that need a firm hand are Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Boxer, Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz, Bullmastiff, Mastiff, Giant Schnauzer, Doberman, Komondor, Siberian Husky, and Standard Schnauzer. Akitas, Malamutes, Boxers, Komondor, and the Schnauzers can be dog aggressive, and Akitas and Mals will hunt small game and cats.
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Working dogs that are easier to handle are Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Samoyed, Bernese Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Great Dane, and Saint Bernard.
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Many working dogs are susceptible to degenerative joint disease, particularly hip dysplasia, and should only be purchased from breeders who clear their breeding stock of this genetic abnormality.
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Not suitable for first time dog owners, hairs tends to shed regularly and need combing, many are susceptible to degenerative joint diseases.
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