This is probably a dumb question but I am interested in what other's views are on this but what is the difference inbetween a working dog and a pet? Several people have commented that I have well-trained working dogs when I'm with the 3 big guys as 2 both pack and cart while the oldest does only a lttle packing. The littlest (a shih tzso), is only a pet although he loves to walk along the big guy in a little harness attached to the big dogs while their carting with a coupler. He isn't pulling, but he thinks he is. However, once done with the day's work, all the dogs are house dogs and live like alot of pets. So are they technically working dogs or pets or both?



PS: finally managed to get a pic of Hobbes as my signuture

A broad definition, I guess, would be a dog trained to do useful work or sports.

Depending on what venue the defining handler may be interested in, the definition might expand or contract. LOL

I like to see well-trained dogs, even if their "job" is being a human's companion.

What would your definition be?

IMO, a working dog is a dog that does a job that needs doing, Assistance dog, detection dog, SAR, working farm dogs, etc.

Dogs that are trained for sports are sport dogs - schutzhund, ring sports, competitive herding, agility, etc. Sports take talent and training, but at the end of the day, they're done for fun, not because they *need* to be done as in the case of working dogs.

Most other dogs fall under the very wide "pet" category. Pets can be trained to do a wide variety of jobs, but more for fun or convienience - nobody depends on them to get the job done as is the case for working dogs.

Anyways, those are just my definitions

I think a working dog *needs* a job to do in order to be happy. A pet dog just needs exercise and structure. Those are broad generalizations, and without strict boundaries between the two types. But that's my general take.

To me I guess it depends on who’s view we’re looking at it from – the dog’s or ours.

Aside from Mara’s definition, which I think is perfect – working dogs being bred, purchased and trained for a specific job, I think the definition of what people view as “work” is very broad. Carting for example. It may be a fun, assisted outing for you whereas it may be a business for others.

Pet to me is more that the dog is there for the human's pleasure only. Throw in the most basic training to allow everyone to understand each other, function and live happily together.

I think for the dog, anytime he’s working/playing for his rewards/food he could consider that having a job for that moment. A task that must be accomplished – whether it serves the human’s purpose or not.

Personally, I like to view my dogs as working pets.

I think of dogs as "loyalty towards the master" , " a mouth full of sharp teeth" and " a very sensitive nose " on four legs.


I would think of a dog as a working dog , if it spends majority of it's day making sure it's master is OK, (like an assistance dog or seeing eye dog).

I would think of a dog as a working dog if it uses it's nose for purposes that benefit it's master. Like Explosives, narcotics, human tracking, cancer detection, cadaver etc.

I would also think of a dog as a working dog if his duty is to guard his master's person and property, will stand up and actively engage intruders and WILL BITE flesh, not just sleeve. There are some native breeds in India that are specifically bred to guard people who live in remote places. These have a high tendency to stand their ground and use aggression with out much training. Not sure how they know to stand their ground with out training, but I have heard that that is true. So that in my opinion falls under the category of a working dog even though they dont have formal protection training. Riot control dogs, police dogs, military dogs, Personal protection dogs etc. fall in this category.

Any thing else I would consider a non working dog.

I always think of dogs primarily as a big set of chompers on the go. For sniffing they even use rats which are very cheap to train and easy to transport. Biting and companionship is what others cant offer.

Thanks for your replies as it was interesting and enlightening.

Connie- I thought about it all day and when I think of a working dog, I tend to think of farmdogs that aren't necessiarily the best with children or strangers but live outside in the sheds and barns with they stock they guard and help move or service dogs, police dogs, guard dogs, SAR dogs etc. However, I like to see well-trained dogs of all types too. They make everyone's lives easier.

Mara- I like your definition espeically between sport,working, and pet dogs. As for carting, yes, it's a fun assisted outing yet it can be needful as I don't drive so I used my dog powered wagon to go places when my child was too small to keep up and arrends needed to be run. So maybe they do fall into your catergory of a working dog.

Tracy- I think you're on to something as all our big dogs go crazy if they aren't asked to pull or carry something regularly. More than once I've had a dog appear beside me with a pack or harness in their mouth and flinging at me, start to whine and wag their tails when I pick it up. They also wag their tails so fast we joke that they might fall over when I get the harnesses down and try to "help" put them on.

CJ- I love the "working pet" term. It hadn't really occured to me that they could be both as it seemed they had to be one or the other. It seems simple enough espeically from the dogs point of view which explains why after they complete their tasks, they come in with us, drink, eat, and collaspe in their beds for a nap.

Ramachandran- Very interesting! It seems the definition of "working dog" can mean something different to everyone depending on alot of factors. I would hate to meet some of the native Indian dogs you metioned while they were working.