Dogs With Jobs: Here are the 10 most useful breeds of amazing working dog
It's been a boom time for pets over the last few years – Kennel Club figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.
Dogs can't so some jobs...
There are a huge number of pedigree dogs – 221 to be exact – along with numerous crossbreeds, and some of them have a very particular set of skills that make them very useful to fulfil certain tasks.
From army and police dogs, to sight and hearing dogs, they help make all our lives better.
And for those looking for a puppy, they can also make wonderful family pets, with a great combination of intelligence and empathy.
Here are the 10 most useful breeds of working dog, according to the American Kennel Club.
For all the latest dog news, pictures, advice and information, join our Scotsdog Facebook group here
Read more:
1 . Giant Schnauzer
A true renaissance dog, the Giant Schnauzer is equally at home as a guard dog, a search and rescue dog, a police dog or a herding dog. In Europe they are also used as cart dogs, pulling along supplies or even people. Photo: Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
2 . Bloodhound
They may only have one job, but Bloodhounds are superb at it. They are one of nature's best trackers and are so good at finding people and things that in some countries their evidence is admissible in court. Photo: Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
3 . Labrador Retriever
The UK's favourite dog is more than just a pretty face. Originally used by hunters to retrieve game, Labradors still carry out this task as gun dogs, but are also popular as service dogs, guide dogs and hearing dogs. Photo: Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
4 . Rottweiler
Perhaps the ultimate guard dog, the Rottweiler has been used for this purpose since ancient Rome, but isn't a one trick pony. This breed also make wonderful customs, military and police dogs - while they have a softer side perfect for a therapy dog. Photo: Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
Related topics: FacebookDogs
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26trim%3D0%2C0%2C0%2C0%26crop%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Swimming Dogs 2025: Here are the 13 breeds of adorable water-loving dog that make the best swimmers - including the loving Labrador 🐶
We're a nation of dog lovers, with around one-in-three households including at least one four-legged friend . By far the most popular pet in the UK, they make for wonderful companions, all the while improving both our mental and physical health - and that's a scientific fact. The army of dog owners continues to grow, with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds . Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don't have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies. There's also always the option of adopting a dog from a dog shelter for a minimal fee - for example from the Dogs Trust . But if you want a pup that is equally at home in the water as on land, then there are certain dogs that should top your wish list Here are 10 of the breeds that are born to swim. 1 . Labrador Retriever The UK's most popular dog breed, the C was bred to collect shot wildfowl that often landed in the water, so being a good swimmer was crucial. Today Labs are happy to fetch sticks and balls from water for hours on end. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Otterhound An incredibly rare breed, the Otterhound was, as its name suggests, used to hunt otters in Britain until the practice was outlawed in 1978. An exceptionally strong swimmer, they even have webbed feet for extra speed in the water. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Portuguese Water Dog Another breed that has webbed feet perfect for swimming, the Portuguese Water Dog was used by fishermen to herd fish into nets and collect lost equipment from the sea. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . Barbet A rare French breed, the Barbet is a natural swimmer with a dense, curly coat and webbed feet. They're playful, energetic, and happiest when jumping into lakes or ponds. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Wales Online
Brits more interested in home makeovers than making them energy-efficient
Brits more interested in home makeovers than making them energy-efficient A study of 2,000 homeowners revealed that over half are prioritising aesthetic upgrades as they believe it adds more value to their property. Home owners confess energy-efficient upgrades don't provide the same excitement as other renovations (Image: Getty Images ) A recent survey of 2,000 homeowners discovered that more than half are favouring aesthetic enhancements such as kitting out with a swanky new kitchen or bathroom suite over energy-saving measures, because they feel these refurbishments add more value and grant instant gratification. Many are opting to splurge on glamorous home updates rather than investing in insulation or efficient heating systems. As revealed by the study organised by Skipton Building Society, part of the Skipton Group, a substantial number of property owners admit that eco-friendly improvements lack the allure of a luxurious makeover, with 16 percent confessing their love of a new home feature. Homeowners would prefer to upgrade their bathrooms (Image: Getty Images ) This insight accompanies the release of The Big Retrofit report, which details the energy efficiency overhaul of a home previously dependent on fossil fuels. The report, a collaboration between Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds, demonstrates how retrofitting—a process of upgrading a building to improve its energy performance—has increased comfort and progressed the EPC rating of a typical 1930s detached house from D up to B. Phil Spencer, the TV favourite and founder of Move iQ, offered his perspective: "It's easy to get caught up in choosing statement tiles or bold paint colours, but the most valuable home improvements aren't always the most 'Instagrammable'." Article continues below To emphasise the long term benefits, he further mentioned: "Green upgrades not only save money in the long run, but they can also boost comfort, value and sustainability, all without spoiling the look of your home." A recent survey shows that over a quarter of people in the UK know someone who has made eco-friendly home improvements, with 53 per cent feeling encouraged to follow suit. As a result, interest in green technology is growing, with 48 per cent considering solar panels and 24 per cent exploring better loft insulation, while 15 per cent would think about fitting triple-glazed windows. For 38 per cent of homeowners, learning about the reduced energy bills neighbours enjoyed was the catalyst for their own interest. The report found that nearly half of the homeowners now see making sustainable upgrades as a mark of success in today's world. Being able to charge an electric vehicle at home, having underfloor heating powered by renewable sources, and owning a heat pump are now seen as top indicators of having 'made it'. Michaela Wright, head of group sustainability at Skipton Building Society, commented: "As more people see their neighbours investing in greener technologies, it naturally sparks curiosity and motivation to do the same. "There's something powerful about seeing these changes up close – it makes the benefits feel more real and achievable. It's a positive sign that more energy efficient choices are becoming aspirational, not just practical. "We understand that making energy-efficient home improvements might not be at the top of everyone's priority list. That's why we took on the journey ourselves – to help demystify the retrofit process through The Big Retrofit project. Article continues below "We've documented our experience and created a series of resources, to support others who are considering making similar improvements."
Scotsman
13 hours ago
- Scotsman
Paternity leave system needs to change - we just need to know how
AFP via Getty Images Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A few weeks ago, I suggested that shifting the conversation about better paternity leave to better-supporting maternity leave was a better argument than flat-out demanding more leave for fathers. After returning from paternity leave last month, I stand by this, with a few amendments. On Wednesday, June 11th, Dads are being encouraged to picket the Scottish Parliament "to speak out against the UK's shockingly bad paternity leave." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Dad Shift group notes the UK "has the worst paternity leave in Europe. Two weeks at less than minimum wage is not enough." Few would disagree on this point, generally. However, an evolving policy argument must catch up with societal expectations, present legislation, and ambitions. For starters, paternity is a relatively new phenomenon. Statutory paid paternity leave was introduced in the UK in 2003. This meant fathers became eligible for a minimum of two weeks' paid leave upon the birth of their child. Before this, fathers had only been entitled to unpaid parental leave. The first official introduction of paternity leave was in 1999 with the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations. Secondly, in those 20 years, the expectation of what fathers do has transformed and banished the myth of the distant, well-meaning, but ultimately elective role of dads. They are now expected to run parallel with mums but are castigated as conceited egomaniacs if we suggest out loud that statutory entitlement should reflect that. Fathers are either sexists for saying we are as important as mothers or misogynistic for stating that mums are biologically more necessary (particularly in the first months of a baby's life). There is even a bizarre subset of 'trad' dads online advocating for a return to the historic gender divisions, traditional values, and disciplinary approaches to raising children. There's also a coterie of reactionaries wanting less time with their children. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Among that debate is the slew of exhausting jokes about 'daddy daycare'. Fathers are still seen as inherently incompetent next to mothers. Perhaps in reactionary response, nothing is as vicious as fathers passively trying to one-up each other about who can do the most and get the most time with their child. Support WhatsApp groups and social media are replete with sanctimonious and grandstanding accounts of 'dadding'. The policy landscape is decidedly simpler than the rabbit hole of differing opinions among dads about what they can or should bring to the parenting table. This is far from a united front of men demanding their slice of statutory cake. If a policy shift is going to take place, then there needs to be a massive tonal and societal change in how we view and understand fathers' contributions and when they matter most. God is in the details. Fathers are entitled to up to a fortnight of statutory paternity leave, which can be taken as one continuous two-week block or two separate one-week blocks. Statutory Paternity Pay for eligible employees is either £187.18 a week or 90 per cent of their average weekly earnings (whichever is lower). Mothers on maternity leave receive 90 per cent of their average weekly earnings for the first six weeks, then £187.18 for 33 weeks. When my son was born, I took two weeks of annual leave and saved my statutory leave as part of a month-long transition for my wife's return to work. It feels taboo to note that my role was significantly less relevant in those first months than what I dub the 'junction point' for my wife returning from maternity leave, particularly when factoring in childcare and how our son would fare. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The transition phase we have just moved through was wrought with challenges, anticipated and not so predictable. In conjunction with more annual leave, my recent 'formal' paternity leave made for a month in which I was more directly involved, relevant, and essential than those first ones. The picket in Edinburgh—and a concurrent one at Westminster—is meaningless without a coordinated clarification of what policy change is being demanded. It's a fundamental stepping stone to clearly establish what dads want to see to enact real change while navigating the politics of devolution and taking advantage of the forthcoming Scottish general election next year. After all, paternity leave, along with maternity leave and pay, is a reserved matter and the responsibility of the UK Parliament. This means that the statutory entitlements to paternity leave and pay are the same across the UK, including Scotland. A coordinated public affairs strategy to secure cross-party support, create an obtainable and realistic list of policy asks and keep ambitions in check is critical to achieving sustained change. Paternity leave can be taken within 52 weeks of the baby's birth, but not before the birth. Employees can take leave any time during this period, but it must end within the 52-week timeframe. Is there scope, for example, to extend this timeframe, given that mothers are still expected to drop everything to tend to a sick child, collect kids from nursery and school, and serve as primary caregivers? Could we give parents a statutory package of 100 per cent full-time pay and several months' leave that can be utilised within the first five years of a child's life Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Advocacy groups should not box themselves in, but they should be realistic. In a Westminster debate last year on Paternity Leave and Pay, Labour MP Shaun Davies called paternity leave a "segregated system." Others who contributed added that the present arrangement is inherently disadvantageous to the self-employed, "classist", and counterproductive to keeping mums in the workplace and increasing uptake by dads.
