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