Known as the “blue-collar” workers of the dog world, the working group was established by the American Kennel Club in 1983 and consists of 32 breeds that were bred for the purposes of protecting humans and their property, protecting livestock, performing water rescue, or pulling carts or sleds. The majority of the dogs in the working group are big, powerful, and muscular breeds that might not be the best choice for first-time dog owners if you are not ready to put some work into training them. This week, I am going to focus on the protectors of the working group.
While the AKC may have only created the working group in 1983, the breeds within it are some of the oldest known to man. The Neapolitan Mastiff can be traced back to at least 700 B.C., when they were used by the Romans to fight in wars, pull carts, and later to instill fear into intruders merely by their intimidating looks. The Akita was developed in the Akita Prefecture of Japan roughly 10,000 years ago and was not only used to protect Japan’s elite members of society but also to hunt boar, elk, and even bears.
The Mastiff breeds are the largest dogs in the working group and can range in weight anywhere from 160 to 230 pounds. Plus, all of them were bred for protection. While they are docile with their owners and fiercely loyal, breeds like the South African Boerboel were bred to protect rural South African farms from both livestock thieves as well as predators like lions and baboons. While they are incredibly loyal to their families, they are wary of strangers and will not back down when provoked. The Bullmastiff, who was bred to chase and hold poachers down, will also be suspicious of strangers. Both breeds are known for their ability to be in sync with their owners and take cues from them on who is safe and who isn’t. The Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient guard dog that was bred specifically to endure the cold winters of Tibet and be a guard dog supreme. They weigh in over 100 pounds and can stand 26 inches high at the shoulders.
Breeds like the Doberman Pinscher and Rottweiler were one hundred percent bred to protect humans from harm. The Doberman was created by a German tax collector named Louis Doberman, who used the sleek and formidable dog to travel with him and bite anyone who attempted to rob him. Rottweilers were bred to protect the Roman legions’ livestock and valuables. Money and valuables were tied around their necks, almost daring thieves to try and steal from them. The Black Russian Terrier was specifically created by the Red Army circa 1930 to chase down prisoners in the Russian gulags. All of these breeds will need early training and socialization, with an understanding of what they were bred to do.
Breeds such as the corded Komondor and the Great Pyrenees were bred to protect livestock. Both have very thick, heavy coats designed to help them live outdoors and blend into the flock. While they are not outwardly aggressive in nature, they may be aloof with strangers and thrive when fulfilling their innate duty of keeping their flocks safe from harm. Both were formidable fighters against bears, coyotes, and wolves. They are known for having an imposing presence when confronted. The Anatolian Shepherd was imported to the United States to protect flocks and is known for having the ability to intimidate predators like wolves away from their herds.
The guard dogs of the working group are all known to be incredibly loyal and devoted to their families. As the need for having a protector dog has decreased in our modern times, many of their temperaments have been fine-tuned to not be as outwardly aggressive. However, their innate need to keep everyone safe remains. If large, powerful dogs and challenges intrigue you, give the guardians of the working group a try.
The guard dogs of the working group include the Akita, Anatolian Shepherd, Black Russian Terrier, Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Doberman Pinscher, Dogue de Bordeaux, Giant Schnauzer, Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Rottweiler, and the Tibetan Mastiff.
If you have any questions, please email me at fouronthefloorschool@gmail.com.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
