About Us
What is a “Working Dog?”
A Working dog refers to a Canine working animal that resulted when dogs with similar desirable characteristics, such as loyalty and good temperament were bred and as a result many working dogs are sought after as family pets. It is a breed that is not merely a pet but learns and performs tasks to assist its human companion.
Here in Australia, in the early 1800’s pastoralist bred working dogs that eventually suited the Australian climate for farming and herding purposes, such as the Australian Cattle dog, The Australian Kelpie. Whilst in Europe, Asia and the Americas, Pastoralist and farmers were also developing breeds of Working dogs to assist them in their daily work. Many of these breeds found their way into Australia, into our homes and our hearts. Breeds such as the German Shepherd were bred as a herding dog, yet today we are all aware of the flexibility and versatility of this breed.
Working Dogs worldwide preform many Jobs in assisting the human race:
• Rescue dogs
• Search dogs
• Herding dogs
• Guard dogs
• Tracking dogs
• Detection dogs
• War dogs
• Police dogs
• Therapy dogs
• Family companions
• Assistance dogs
Working Dogs make excellent pets and new owners must realise they must be given work to do and must be trained from a young age and are best suited to an active family. There a many well recognised Obedience Clubs and excellent books on how to train your puppy. Spend time in the early stages training your puppy and you will reap the rewards as your canine companion grows and becomes one of the family.
Working Dog Breeds, in Australia, as defined by the “Australian National Kennel Council”
GROUP 5
• Australian Cattle Dog
• Australian Kelpie
• Australian Shepherd
• Bearded Collie
• Belgian Shepherd (Gronenendale)
• Belgian Shepherd (Lackinios)
• Belgian Shepherd (Tervueren)
• Bergamasco Shepherd Dog
• Border collie
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Briad
• Collie (Rough)
• Collie (Smooth)
• Finnish Lapphund
• German Shepherd Dog
• Hungarian Puli
• Komondor
• Kuvasz
• Maremma Sheepdog
• Norwegian Buhund
• Old English Sheepdog
• Polish Lowland Sheepdog
• Pumi
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
• Swedish Lapphund
• Swedish Vallhund
• Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)
• Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)
• White Swiss Shepherd Dog
To view individual breed standards please refer to “DOGS QLD” Website www.dogsqueensland.org.au/ and follow the links.