Working Dog Breeds: The Top Ten

The Working Dog group includes most of the guard dog breeds such as the Rottweiler and Doberman Pinscher as well as the northern sled dogs such as the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky. Most of these dogs need lots of exercise and a fair amount of living space. Many of these dogs have thick double coats and can be heavy shedders. The heavy shedding breeds include Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Samoyed and Siberian Husky. Top 10 dog breeds most popular work in the US, according to the American Kennel Club registers 2005 are discussed below and their registration rank is included in brackets.


1. Boxer

The Boxer (# 7) is a large, strong and muscular dog that is energetic, cheerful and playful. Boxers are very popular because they love children and are a good breed for active families with children. Toddlers and young children should be carefully supervised when around teenagers or young dogs to hit more when excited. This breed needs early socialization and obedience training when they are puppies and exercise while adolescents to control their exuberance. Boxers are alert, intelligent and eager to please and can be trained to a high level for agility and obedience competitions sports. Boxers are good watch dogs, and can even be trained to be guard dogs.

2. Rottweiler

The Rottweiler (# 16) is a breed of dog very heavy, muscular and big. A well bred Rottweiler is calm, intelligent, confident and courageous but can be aggressive with strangers and strange dogs. Therefore, it is important that this breed is well socialized and obedience trained starting when it is a puppy and continue through adolescence. The Rottie needs exercise and mental stimulation and makes a good obedience, agility and schutzhund competitor. Rottweilers are not suited to the inner life and enjoy the outdoors. A well trained Rottie does fine with older children but this breed should be limited to those who have time to socialize background, the process of obedience, and to keep this dog.

3. Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher (21) is a strong, muscular and athletic big dog. Dobermans are usually protective but also gentle and docile family dogs. This intelligent breed needs early socialization and obedience training when it is a puppy and this should continue into adolescence. Dobermans do fine with older children who are raised with them. Male Dobes can be very aggressive with other male dogs and should not be trusted with small children and strange animals. Dobermans need lots of exercise and companionship and should not be left alone for long periods of time. This breed should spend a significant amount of time in a dog training school. Dobermans make good guard dogs and good watchdogs.

4. Great Dane

The Great Dane (No. 24) is a very large and strong dog and is known as the gentle giant of dog breeds. The Dane is gentle, quiet, loyal and affectionate with his family. This breed prefers to lean against you for a pat, than be aggressive towards anyone. The Dane is great with family children but small children should be carefully monitored to avoid falling. The Dane is so large that it must be socialized and trained to behave cautiously around children and pets. Because the Dane is so large early obedience training is essential to prevent the domination exercised. Young Danes, three years old, can be boisterous and need strict supervision. Danes make excellent watchdogs.

5. Siberian Husky

Siberian Husky (# 25) is a very interesting way for large dog that is playful, friendly, athletic and independent. Siberians get well with older children but are not recommended for toddlers and small children unless raised with them a puppy. Too many people are attracted to this handsome dog without realizing this is a working sled dog that needs a lot of physical activity. Siberians belong outside in a large sealed court but get bored and destructive if they have too little exercise. Training is a challenge and must be launched to Sibes are puppies and continued into adulthood. Siberians do not bark much (although they howl from time to time) and are too friendly to make good watchdogs.

6. Mastiff

The Mastiff (# 33) is a gentle giant dog and one of the heaviest dog breeds. This gentle giant is a great family dog ​​that is calm, dignified, cheerful and very fond of children. Because of its huge size, children are in danger of demolition, and should always be carefully monitored. Mastiffs need a house with a large fenced garden. This breed needs lots of companionship and should have early and ongoing training of socialization and obedience so that you can control the Mastiff with voice commands. This breed is naturally protective of its home and family and must be socialized early and often with other dogs to prevent it from becoming combative. Mastiffs make good watch dogs and guard dogs.

7. San Bernardo

The huge San Bernardo (# 37) is the most famous of all giant dog breeds and one of the best known of all dog breeds. The saint is a smart race, brave, obedient and good dog humor. The breed is very good with children and other pets, but because of its large size, young children and toddlers should be carefully monitored to prevent accidents. The saint is relatively easy to train but must be thoroughly socialized and trained while young and has not grown too large to manage. The San Bernardo makes a good watchdog even though it does not bark much and is fairly tolerant with strangers dog.

8. Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff (# 42) is a very large dog that is a cross between the Bulldog and the Mastiff dog breeds. The Bullmastiff is friendly and trustworthy but also fearless and afraid of nothing. Normally this breed is gentle and docile but once aroused can be aggressive with other males and strange dogs. Bullmastiffs make great family pets for families with older children or teenagers, but young puppies are too exuberant to be around babies or toddlers. Bullmastiff puppies must have early socialization and obedience training that is reinforced in adulthood. This breed of dog is too big to allow him to have any unruly behavior and any sign of aggression get assistance for vocational training. Bullmastiffs make fantastic watch dogs and natural guard dogs but should never receive additional guard dog training.

9. Newfoundland

Newfoundland (No. 46) or Newf is one giant dog breeds whose teddy bear appearance gives an indication of what a wonderful family dog ​​it is. The Newfoundland has a wonderfully sweet and gentle disposition that is reflected in his kind expression. This smart giant dog, friendly and easygoing is great with children and makes a great family dog. Young children should be carefully controlled to a large sip of his tongue could knock a little one. Newfs and all giant breeds should be socialized and obedience trained early while puppies and through adolescence. Newfs needs a lot of camaraderie and the need to participate in family activities.

10. Oberland

The Bernese Mountain Dog (# 47) is a big beautiful dog who is outgoing, intelligent and affectionate and make a great family pet. Berners love children but should be supervised with young children because they are large and can hit more children. Berners should be socialized early with small children and animals when they are puppies. Bernese are intelligent and very trainable and make good dogs for competitive obedience trials. These mountain dogs like being outside and thrive in the cold. Berners are fairly tolerant with strangers but still make excellent watch dogs and guard dogs.