Working dogs

Common breeds: Australian kelpie, Blue heeler, Border collie, German shepherd

Bred to assist human beings on farms and in the wild, working dogs are fiercely intelligent, loyal and fun. Owning a working dog is a serious commitment – a commitment that will reward you endlessly if you are willing to put in serious hours of training and exercise.

Working dogs have very active minds – sometimes you can see the cogs turning in their heads. As a result, they can quickly decide they are smarter than you and be quite dominating. Working dogs need a firm but kind owner who is educated about canine behavior, is willing to learn a lot very quickly, or has experienced owning a working dog.

In the below table, we have used the Australian kelpie as an example but talk to the adoption staff at The Lost Dogs’ Home if you want more specific information on a particular breed:

Personality – Loyal, intelligent, courageous, persistent, obedient if trained properly
Appearance – Medium, smooth coat
Exercise – High (Long daily walks and play morning and afternoon)
Training – High (long term commitment, daily reinforcement)
Grooming – Low (semi-regular brush)
Feeding – Medium (not fussy, medium eaters)
Family – Recommended for active families
Space – Moderate to large space required (medium to large backyard)

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