stress disorder (PTSD). In her book Reporting for Duty: True Stories of Wounded Veterans and Their Service Dogs (Lumina Media, 2015), Tracy Libby documents case after case of veterans who, after the physical and mental damage inflicted by war, are able to live productive lives with service dogs by their side. Dogs help veterans with PTSD function socially by offering a sense of protection and by using their bodies to block people from coming too close so that the veteran doesn’t feel threatened. Many service dogs are trained to jump on or nudge their owners when they detect a change in breathing or heart rate that signals the onset of anxiety. In this way, dogs can end a nightmare or bring a person back to the present if he or she is having a flashback.
Work Buddy
An article in Time magazine, March 3, 2016, noted that people who took their dogs to work were much less stressed, but still got just as much work done.
Many therapists have discovered that having a dog in the office helps patients open up. Even Freud had his Chow Chow in the office with him. In her article, Golde says that, at Miami University, “Students can take advantage of pet therapy that alleviates feelings of homesickness and depression. Dogs are on call during midterms and finals, when those feelings are at an all-time high.”
Dogs may even be instrumental in helping people quit smoking. In the UK-published journal Tobacco Control in February 2008, a study indicated that if people were informed about the dangers of secondhand smoke to their pets, they would be inclined to stop smoking or have others refrain from smoking in their homes.
Studies have shown that children with dogs in their families develop fewer allergies as they grow up and also miss fewer days of school (and they can always claim that the dog ate their homework!).
Dogs also help their owners meet people. Going to the dog park can be a great way to meet other dog owners, not to mention joining a local kennel club or competing in a dog-related event. You may also make new friends in your neighborhood when you’re out taking your dog for a walk.
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Working Dogs
Some of the AKC’s Working breeds are:
Akita, Giant Schnauzer, Portuguese Water Dog, Alaskan Malamute, Great Dane, Rottweiler, Bernese Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Samoyed, Black Russian Terrier, Leonberger, Siberian Husky, Boxer , Mastiff, Standard Schnauzer, Bullmastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, St. Bernard, Doberman Pinscher, Newfoundland, Tibetan Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux
Most of the dogs in the AKC’s Working Group were bred to do a job. For the most part, they are large, big-boned dogs. Many have been bred to be suspicious of strangers, and they may also be fearless, ready to stand up to a charging boar or a wolf intent on stealing a lamb. German merchants used Rottweilers as “walking banks”—they’d tie their moneybags around their dogs’ necks, and it would be a very foolish thief who would try to steal that money.
If you have very small children, keep in mind that a working-dog puppy could accidentally injure a toddler. Conversely, once a working dog understands his role in the family, he will be a protector. This can be both good and bad, as he can perceive other children as a threat when they are simply playing with your children. If you think you want a dog from the Working Group, study the particular breed(s) that interests you to make sure it’s a good fit with your family.
Samoyed
The Alaskan Malamute, the Siberian Husky, the Chinook, and the Samoyed were all bred to work in very cold climates. Their thick double coats keep them warm, even in below-zero temperatures. They are probably not the best choices for those living in southern Arizona, but they might be very happy in Maine. Also, all of these breeds need plenty of exercise and may also be happier outdoors than inside. These breeds are less likely to be as wary of strangers, but they can also be very independent. They were bred to run and pull, not to be attentive to human direction.
The Anatolian Shepherd, the Komondor, and the Kuvasz are examples of dogs bred to guard flocks of sheep. Originally, they lived with their flocks and were fierce defenders of the sheep. They may be very wary around strangers. If you have lots of people coming and going in and around your home, and you choose one of these breeds, your dog will need to be well-socialized—even then, he may not greet strangers with a smile and a wagging tail.
Popularity
Some of the most popular dogs in the Working Group are the Boxer, Siberian Husky, Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, and Mastiff.
Some working dogs, like St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, and Bernese Mountain Dogs, were bred to work with people, so they’re more laid back and more likely to be happy to make new friends. They also have thick coats, so if you’re not comfortable with the idea of lots of fur floating through your home, you’d better think of a different breed.
Most working breeds are not as active as some of the other breeds, so if you’re looking for a purebred jogging companion, you might look elsewhere. One exception is the Doberman Pinscher, who is sleeker than many of the others and could certainly keep you company on your morning run.
The Portuguese Water Dog has a curly coat, more similar to a Poodle’s. That’s good news on the shedding front, but you’ll need to factor in the cost of either regular grooming appointments or the proper tools if you choose to groom your dog at home. The Standard Schnauzer and the Black Russian Terrier are two other dogs in this group who will need more than just a good brushing now and then.
Some of these large dogs drool a lot. The St. Bernard, the Newfoundland, the Mastiff, and the Neapolitan Mastiff are on the top ten list of droolers. If one of these dogs shakes his head, you could end up with drool on your ceiling—but many people live happily with these dogs in spite of the drool. The dog may not have access to the entire house, or the family may just always have towels handy to wipe the dog’s muzzle. Some people only consider the traits they love in these breeds. Other people may not be able to get past the drool. It’s just something to consider before you get the dog.
Boxers are great family dogs, with lots of energy for almost any kind of play, and they also make good watchdogs. They have a sense of humor, but they can also have a stubborn streak. Boxers are prone to several types of heart disease, including cardiomyopathy, and they are susceptible to bloat. Find a reputable breeder who has tested the parents for heart problems. Their life span is eight to ten years.
Siberian Huskies are friendly, happy dogs who get along with just about everyone, including other dogs, although they may consider smaller pets prey. They need a lot of exercise, and they’re good at scaling fences or digging underneath, so make sure that your yard is secure. Ask the breeder if the parents have been screened for hip dysplasia and for progressive retinal atrophy, an eye condition. The breed’s life span is about twelve years.
Doberman Pinschers are sleek, elegant dogs who are very loyal and who seem to have a keen ability to sense when someone is a threat. They need regular exercise as well as training. An untrained Doberman is likely to become destructive. Health concerns include cardiomyopathy; von Willebrand’s, a bleeding disorder; and cervical vertebral instability (CVI), sometimes called Wobbler’s syndrome. Healthy parents do not guarantee that your dog will not develop a genetic disorder, but it increases the odds of good health. The Doberman’s life span is about ten years.
Great Danes are massive, short-coated dogs, weighing between 110 and 190 pounds. They are sweet, gentle dogs, but because of their size, they need to be trained not to jump up or to be at all aggressive. They need only moderate exercise, so if your own tendency is toward being a couch potato, you
