Nine Types of Working Dogs

Service dogs or assistance dogs are working dogs that have been trained to assist people with disabilities. A true service dog is trained to behave well in all types of situations, so the dog can accompany the handler anywhere.

Service Dogs

Animal-assisted therapy involves the use of trained, certified animals as part of a medical patient's therapeutic plan. These therapy dogs offer emotional support to sick or injured people, often visiting hospitals and nursing homes.

Therapy Dogs

Police dogs, often called K-9s, are trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in the line of duty. Police dogs protect their handlers. They can chase down and hold criminal suspects who try to run from police.

Police Dogs

Similar to police dogs, military working dogs assist members of the military with their operations. These dogs may be used as detectors, trackers, sentries, and scouts. And they can take part in search and rescue.

Military Working Dogs

Detection dogs have exceptional senses of smell and are highly motivated by positive reinforcement. A detection dog is trained to sniff out a particular substance or group of substances.

Detection Dogs

Search-and-rescue dogs have great agility and exceptional senses of smell and hearing. These highly trained animals serve in many different fields, including tracking, specialized search, avalanche rescue, and cadaver location.

Search & Rescue Dogs

Herding dogs work with various types of livestock, such as sheep and cattle. A herding dog is basically born for the job, meaning the dog is a specific breed and part of a herding breed group. However, not all herding breeds are naturally expert herders.

Herding Dogs

Guard dogs are considered protection dogs and can be used to protect territory or an owner. These dogs are highly trainable, intelligent, and strong. Guard dogs should be very loyal and are often used by the military or police.

Guard Dogs

Livestock dogs are used to guard farm animals, particularly sheep. Because these smaller animals can be vulnerable to predators (coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, and more), a livestock dog can be necessary in addition to fencing. 

Livestock Dogs