The Working Group
Dogs of the Working Group were bred to perform such jobs as guarding property, pulling sleds and performing water rescues. They have been invaluable assets to man throughout the ages. The Doberman Pinscher, Siberian Husky and Great Dane are included in this Group, to name just a few. Quick to learn, these intelligent, capable animals make solid companions. Their considerable dimensions and strength alone, however, make many working dogs unsuitable as pets for average families. And again, by virtue of their size alone, these dogs must be properly trained. (excerpt: AKC)
The Working breds have long excelled in the performance of many duties which have been invaluable to their owners, such as Search and REscue, therapy dogs, Guide dogs for the blind, Assistance dogs of all sorts, and of course, just wonderful and faithful companions. Many of them are territorial and protective, and yet many ar also considered "gentle giants", among them the Saint Bernard and the Newfoundland and the Great Dane.
The following are the breeds in this group: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain dog, Black Russian terrier, Boxer, bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neopolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Samoyed, Siberian Husky, and Standard Schnauzer
The Herding Group
The herding group historically has done such jobs as herding livestock, driving livestock to market (droving), and protectivng flocks. Many herding dogs are great at giving chase to anything which moves, they will often herd chidren in the family and will also unfortunately do well at chasing cars, so they should be fenced (as should ALL dogs, regardless!) They are usually quite good with children but the dogs who have a propensity to guard the flock May also guard the children in the family and prevent other children from entering their territory. Yes, they are quite “territorial” in nature and make excellent watch dogs. The members of the American Kennel Club “Herding Group” are listed here:
Australian Cattledog, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Belgian malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Bouvier des Flandres, Briard, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Collie, (shown as either the smooth collie or the rough collie) German Shepherd Dog, Old English Sheepdog,Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Puli, and the Shetland Sheepdog
a fine example of a German Shepherd Dog