| The Working Dog group includes most of the guard | | | | dog that needs a lot of physical activity. Siberians |
| dog breeds such as the Rottweiler and Doberman | | | | belong outside in an escape-proof large yard but get |
| Pinscher as well as the northern sled dogs such as | | | | bored and destructive if they have too little exercise. |
| the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky. Most | | | | Training is quite challenging and must be started when |
| of these dogs need lots of exercise and a fair | | | | the Sibes are puppies and continued through to |
| amount of living space. Many of these dogs have | | | | adulthood. Siberians don't bark much (although they |
| thick double coats and can be heavy shedders. The | | | | howl from time to time) and are too friendly to |
| heavy shedding breeds include the: Akita, Alaskan | | | | make good watchdogs. |
| Malamute, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, Saint | | | | 6. Mastiff |
| Bernard, Samoyed and Siberian Husky. The top 10 | | | | The Mastiff (#33) is a gentle giant dog and one of |
| most popular Working Dog breeds in the US | | | | the heaviest dog breeds. This gentle giant is a great |
| according to the American Kennel Club 2005 | | | | family dog that is calm, dignified, good-natured and |
| registrations are discussed below and their | | | | very fond of children. Because of its giant size, |
| registration rank is included in brackets. | | | | toddlers are in danger of knock-down, and should |
| 1. Boxer | | | | always be supervised carefully. Mastiffs need a house |
| The Boxer (#7) is a large, strong and muscular dog | | | | with a large fenced yard. This breed needs lots of |
| that is energetic, good-natured and playful. Boxers | | | | companionship and should have early and on-going |
| are very popular because they love children and are | | | | socialization and obedience training so that you can |
| a good dog breed for active families with children. | | | | control the Mastiff with only voice commands. This |
| Toddlers and young children should be supervised | | | | breed is naturally protective of its home and family |
| carefully when around young or adolescent dogs that | | | | and must be socialized early and often with other |
| will knock them over when they get excited. This | | | | dogs to prevent it from becoming combative. |
| breed needs early socialization and obedience training | | | | Mastiffs make good watch dogs and guard dogs. |
| while they are puppies and exercise while adolescents | | | | 7. Saint Bernard |
| to control their exuberance. Boxers are alert, | | | | The massive Saint Bernard (#37) is the most famous |
| intelligent and eager to please and can be trained to a | | | | of all giant dog breeds and one of the best known |
| high level for agility sports and obedience | | | | of all dog breeds. The Saint is an intelligent, |
| competitions. Boxers make good watchdogs and can | | | | courageous, obedient and good natured dog breed. |
| even be trained to be guard dogs. | | | | The breed is very good with children and also other |
| 2. Rottweiler | | | | pets but because of their very large size, young |
| The Rottweiler (#16) is a very heavy, muscular and | | | | children and toddlers should be supervised carefully to |
| large dog breed. A well-bred Rottweiler is calm, | | | | avoid any accidents. The Saint is relatively easy to |
| intelligent, confident and courageous but can be | | | | train but must be thoroughly socialized and trained |
| aggressive toward strangers and strange dogs. | | | | while it is young and hasn't grown too large to handle. |
| Therefore it is important that this breed be | | | | The Saint Bernard makes a good watchdog even |
| thoroughly socialized and obedience trained starting | | | | though it doesn't bark much and is fairly tolerant of |
| when it is a puppy and continuing through | | | | strangers. |
| adolescence. The Rottie needs exercise and mental | | | | 8. Bullmastiff |
| stimulation and makes a good obedience, agility and | | | | The Bullmastiff (#42) is a very large dog that is a |
| schutzhund competitor. Rottweilers are not suited for | | | | cross between the Bulldog and the Mastiff dog |
| indoor life and enjoy being outside. A well trained | | | | breeds. The Bullmastiff is loveable and trustworthy |
| Rottie does fine with older children but this breed | | | | but also fearless and afraid of nothing. Normally this |
| should be restricted to people who have the time to | | | | breed is mild mannered and docile but once aroused |
| thoroughly socialize, obedience train, and keep this | | | | can be aggressive with other male dogs and |
| dog active. | | | | strangers. Bullmastiffs make great family pets for |
| 3. Doberman Pinscher | | | | families with older children but young puppies or |
| The Doberman Pinscher (#21) is a strong, muscular | | | | adolescents are too exuberant to be around toddlers |
| and athletic large dog. Dobermans are usually | | | | or small children. Bullmastiff puppies must have early |
| protective but also are sweet and docile family dogs. | | | | socialization and obedience training that is reinforced |
| This intelligent breed needs early socialization and | | | | through adulthood. This dog breed is too large to |
| obedience training when it is a puppy and this should | | | | allow it to have any unruly behavior and at any sign |
| be continued through adolescence. Dobermans do | | | | of aggression get professional training assistance. |
| fine with older children if they are raised with them. | | | | Bullmastiffs make fantastic watch dogs and great |
| Male Dobes can be very aggressive with other male | | | | natural guard dogs but should never receive additional |
| dogs and shouldn't be trusted with small pets and | | | | guard dog training. |
| strange children. Dobermans need lots of exercise | | | | 9. Newfoundland |
| and companionship and shouldn't be left alone for long | | | | The Newfoundland (#46) or Newf is one of the giant |
| periods of time. This breed should spend a significant | | | | dog breeds whose teddy bear appearance gives an |
| amount of time at a dog training school. Dobermans | | | | indication of what a wonderful family dog it is. The |
| make good guard dogs and good watchdogs. | | | | Newfoundland has a wonderfully sweet and gentle |
| 4. Great Dane | | | | disposition that is reflected in his kind expression. This |
| The Great Dane (#24) is a very large and strong dog | | | | intelligent, gentle and good-natured giant dog is great |
| and is known as the gentle giant of dog breeds. The | | | | with children and makes a terrific family dog. Toddlers |
| Dane is gentle, quiet, loyal and affectionate towards | | | | should be supervised carefully as one slurp from his |
| its family. This breed would rather lean against you | | | | big tongue could knock a little one over. Newfs and all |
| for a pat, than be aggressive towards anyone. The | | | | giant breeds should be socialized and obedience |
| Dane is great with family children but small children | | | | trained early while puppies and through adolescence. |
| must be supervised carefully to avoid knockdown. | | | | Newfs need lots of companionship and need to be |
| The Dane is so large that it must be socialized and | | | | involved in family activities. |
| trained to behave very cautiously around children and | | | | 10. Bernese Mountain Dog |
| pets. Because the Dane is so large early obedience | | | | The Bernese Mountain Dog (#47) is a very |
| training is essential to prevent it from exerting | | | | handsome large dog which is outgoing, intelligent and |
| dominance. Young Danes, up to three years old, can | | | | affectionate and makes a terrific family pet. Berners |
| be boisterous and need strict supervision. Danes | | | | love children but should be supervised with young |
| make excellent watchdogs. | | | | children because they are large and can knock the |
| 5. Siberian Husky | | | | toddlers over. Berners should be socialized early with |
| The Siberian Husky (#25) is a very handsome | | | | small children and animals when they are puppies. |
| medium to large dog breed that is playful, friendly, | | | | Bernese are intelligent and very trainable and make |
| athletic and independent. Siberians get along well with | | | | good dogs for competitive obedience trials. These |
| older children but are not recommended for toddlers | | | | mountain dogs like to be outside and thrive in cold |
| and small children unless raised with them from a | | | | weather. Berners are fairly tolerant with strangers |
| puppy. Too many people are attracted to this | | | | but still make excellent watch dogs and guard dogs. |
| handsome dog without realizing this is a working sled | | | | |