Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce! This Labor Day, the American Kennel Club celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now.
Dogs do so many important jobs. From hunting to bomb detection to saving lives, dogs have been and always will be valued members of the workforce and should be celebrated.
Borzoi are sight hounds that worked originally as hunters of wolves, fox, and hare. Today, because of their intelligence, independence, and keen sense of awareness, you’ll see Borzoi working as loyal psychiatric assistance dogs, helping veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Labrador Retrievers originally worked alongside fisherman, helping them pull in nets and catch fish that escaped from fishing lines. They also worked with hunters as an excellent retriever of game. These days you can see Labs working as guide dogs, part of Search and Rescue teams, and in narcotics detection.
Beagles have great tracking ability and originally worked as rabbit hunters. From the field they went to the airport where they work for U.S. Customs & Border Patrol as narcotics and agriculture detector dogs. You can also see the Beagle out and about as a bed bug detector due to his strong nose.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were bred for an easy job – they were companions to aristocratic families. Now, in addition to its former acting job on the television show “Sex and the City,” you can see the Cavalier performing therapy work. They excel as therapy dogs because of their sweet, gentle natures.
Learn more about what different dog breeds do on the AKC breed pages.