Dogs that were bred for surprising jobs

[zombola]

http://i.imgur.com/d7DToOs.jpg

Of all the giant breeds (dogs that weigh 150 or more) St. Bernards are one of the most popular. Between its soft fur, lovable nature, and enough drool to fill up a small swimming pool, what's not to love? Well you will love Beethoven even more when you find out what they were bred for, snow rescue. At the St. Bernard Hospice, a refuge for travelers between Switzerland and Italy, these loyal dogs would be sent out in the cold in hopes of finding a lost traveler. Once the dogs found one they would lay beside the lost soul keeping them warm until the monks arrived. Then the dogs would help drag the carts back to the Hospice. These dogs have been credited with saving over 2,000 lives.
Doberman Pinscherhttp://i.imgur.com/E3zkumX.jpg
The Dobie; few other breeds can strike fear into the heart quite like a this one can. When you see its broad chest, lean muscles, and proud stance it won't be shocking that this dog was bred to be the ultimate guard dog. In the late 1800s Louis Doberman was a door-to-door tax collector, and as you might expect, people don't like their money being taken from them. So Louis wanted a dog breed that was fast, strong, intimidating, but still trainable enough to only attack when necessary. And he succeeded with the amazing Doberman Pinscher.



Alaskan Malamute
http://i.imgur.com/zrzTbul.jpg

The Alaskan Malamute, so often mistaken for a Husky that many don't even know this breed exists. This dog is the true savior of the tundra. These dogs are bigger, stronger, and fluffier than Huskies. And while they both do pull sleighs, Huskies are bred for racing and speed. Malamutes are bred for pulling large amounts of weight over extreme distances. During the Alaskan Gold Rush these dogs were worth more than Gold. They were the one thing that could pull heavy equipment through tough terrain. Without these incredible dogs many could not survive in the Alaskan wilderness.


Poodle
http://i.imgur.com/fJ26iqM.jpg

The Poodle is the icon of people using their dogs to make art. They are smart, beautiful, and their curly hair is perfect for grooming into a thousand different styles. But these dogs are much more than a pretty face! Poodles are always considered one of the smartest dog breeds and they are excellent hunters. You heard me right. Poodles were bred as duck hunting dogs on par with Labs. Hunters would trim the fur down to keep mud and plants from getting stuck. However, they would leave the fur longer around the chest, head, and paws for protection and warmth. So starting the famous Poodle cut.


Swedish Lapphund
http://i.imgur.com/segDGON.jpg

This jet black beauty is very rare outside of Sweden. These are known as Santa's favorite dog (only by me, and now you). Why? Because these striking dogs are bred for hunting and/or herding reindeer! Anytime these pesky Rudolf wannabes try and take off, these pups hunt them down and get them back in line.

[zombola]

Greyhound
http://i.imgur.com/oqwYO3D.jpg

The Greyhound is one of the oldest breeds known to man. Greyhound-esk dogs have been depicted since ancient Egypt. These amazing dogs have almost solely been bred for racing in recent times. However, they were originally bred for Coursing. Coursing is the sport of dogs chasing small animals by speed and sight, not smell. Very few dogs have the speed and agility to outrun a rabbit, the Greyhound is one.


Portuguese Water Dog
http://i.imgur.com/j6TpNPK.jpg

This breed, like the Poodle, love water and have curly hair, but that is where the similarities stop. This job is a job I never thought dogs could do. They herd fish into fisherman's nets! They are a fisherman's best friend, scaring fish into nets, retrieving broken nets, and serving as a boat-to-boat messenger. He certainly is a good boy.


Caucasian Shepherd Dog
http://i.imgur.com/02705Uo.jpg

Also known as the Caucasian Ovcharka, this is one of the fiercest breeds known to man. I have heard it called a Russian bear hunting dog, but that is not exactly true. The dogs may be used sparsely as bear hunters, that is not what they are bred for. As the name suggests, they are a Shepherd. They patrol the farm and protect their flock. But what separates this breed is it is in Russia. This dog has to protect its flock from hungry wolves, bears, or maybe even tigers. And they do an excellent job.


Yorkshire Terrier
http://i.imgur.com/BmjaEde.jpg

rat hunters. In the 19th century they were bred by clothing mill workers to help deal with the rat problem. They were small enough to chase rats into small crevices but mean enough to kill a rat that weighed only a few pounds less than the dog. A man's dog if I've ever seen one.


Belgian Malinois
http://i.imgur.com/o22rcNA.jpg

The Belgian Malinois has no glamorous past. They were bred in Belgium as a herding dog, and were being bred for nothing else than to get the job done. That same determination has led it into the job it does now. It is considered the best police dog. Even more sought after than the German Shepherd. These dogs are slightly smaller, faster, and more agile than your average German Shepherd, with possibly more fierceness, determination, and loyalty.

[zombola]

Shiba Inu
http://i.imgur.com/GEFaMZm.jpg

Wow. What an amazing doggy, or should I say doge. Something about the perfectly shaped ears and adorable curled tails, makes this Japanese dog an American favorite. This is the smallest native Japanese breed only weighting a little over 20lbs. As early as 300bc these dogs were used to flush birds and hunt other small game. As of late, they haven’t been bred for much more than looking cute.


Tibetan Mastiff
http://i.imgur.com/O9YVkeV.jpg

The nomadic herdsmen of Northern and Central Asia used these as guard dogs and companions. They had to be able to protect these herdsmen and what few cattle they owned. Without the cattle, these men could not survive. And with everything from wolves, leopards, bears, and even tigers wanting an easy meal, these dogs had to be ferocious.


Vernepator Cur
http://i.imgur.com/5StRtpH.jpg


This is a breed that I am almost sure you have never heard of, because it is extinct. It was a short legged, long bodied dog, much like a Corgi. In fact, some say it is a relative to the Corgi. The dog was not so lovingly called a Turnspit dog. Wealthier families would buy these dogs to run on a big hamster wheel; turning a big piece of meat so it would cook evenly. Not the most glorious job, and these weren’t glorious dogs; they were disproportioned and often described as ugly. Just another example of how dogs will do ANYTHING to please its owner.


Boxer
http://i.imgur.com/RD6PTi0.jpg

These lovable goofs are renowned for being one of the best all-around family dogs. Smart, friendly, trainable, playful, gentle, but not overly energetic, many would say perfect. And no, they weren’t bred for boxing. They were originally bred for hunting wild boar, deer, and small bear. Their large jaw let them clamp on and hold, and their recessed nose let them breath while pinning an animal. Boxers were also used for bull bating, much like the Pit bull, but they never made it to the fighting world because of the popularity of the pit bull and other dogs. They started being used in German slaughter yards for controlling cattle. It is thought that its distinctive name started there, they called it buy the name of its ancestor, the Bullenbeiser, later shortened to Boxi, then to Boxer. Whatever the reason, I certainly cannot think of a better name.


Chihuahua
http://i.imgur.com/SPOQXrT.jpg

These little balls of anger and tremble are the smallest breed of dog. And it came to a complete shock to me to find out these dogs were not bred for selling tacos! The history of the Chihuahua is disputed, but the theory I am going to tell you, is not the most family friendly, so please tread lightly. The first records show up in the Mexico area, favored by the people of the Toltec religion. Every family would have a few of these little nuggets and would treat them well, but when a family member died, they would sacrifice a dog and bury it with the person. The thought was that these helpful little guys would guide the soul to the afterlife. They also would be used as food by the Aztecs, although I can’t imagine why. In the end the Chihuahua has had the last laugh, being one of the most popular small dog breeds.

[zombola]

American Pit Bull Terrier
http://i.imgur.com/trY49AQ.jpg

were very popular, and this new breed was excellent at it. People would tie a bull or a bear to a stake and send dogs into the ring to torment and eventually tackle or kill the animal. These bloodsports were officially eliminated in 1835 as Britain began to introduce animal welfare laws. Since it was a lot cheaper and easier to run illegal dog fighting rings, and that’s what people did. This new Bull Terrier quickly became the king of these “pits,” giving it its current name, the Pit bull. Now because Pit bulls are so adaptable they have been used for everything from hunting, herding, police dogs, family dogs, and even therapy dogs. The sad thing is that because these dogs are so eager to please yet strong, ferocious, and fearless, people didn’t stop using them for fighting and attack dogs. As time passes these fights are happening less and less but they still do happen, and Pit bulls are still a favorite. People have been using these dogs for selfish entertainment and money, and this breed is paying the price. :( In the end, these dogs should have been bred for wearing pajamas

Bloodhounds

http://i.imgur.com/3mW6Nk8.jpg

These floppy wonders are one of the most amazing dogs in the world. In the early twelfth century, the wealthy elite used these wondrous dogs for hunting deer and boar. They wouldn’t attack the animal like many other breeds, they use that amazing nose to track and find the animal. The breed was so carefully bred that they started to be known as “Blooded hounds,” referring to their pure blood and noble breeding. When they came to America in the mid-1800s, they were used for hunting but their true magic soon was revealed. They are by far, the best tracking dog in the world. Bloodhounds are able to pick up someone’s trail when the person walked by over a week before! I just hope those ears don’t pull their face right off.


Akita Inu
http://i.imgur.com/bWLaRpG.png

The big brother to the Shiba Inu, this beautiful brute is another famous Japanese breed. The Akita we know and love today is the result of the Japanese government trying to save Japanese heritage and naming the Akita a natural monument. They started a breeding campaign to try and bring back the original Akita. Before that, the Akita breed had started to wash away as people were breeding together anything and everything looking for a better fighting dog. They were also used to hunt everything from waterfowl to bears. One of the most notable quality of the Akita is its unbreakable loyalty. One named Hachiko would wait at the train station every day for his hooman to come back, and they would walk home together. Until one day when his hooman didn’t show up, he had died that day at work. For the next 9 years Hachiko would go and wait at that train station, hoping his hooman would show up, but he never did. … Man I have no idea why my co-workers are cutting onions when we work in an office


Australian Cattle Dog
http://i.imgur.com/YZHHaXM.jpg

This breed has one of the most striking variations of colors of any breed, and the Australian Cattle Dog is one of my favorites. They are very smart, but they are more stubborn than a two year old child made out of rocks. I would know, Chester would rather chew off his own paw before he took a bath. In the early 1800s, with so much vast open grazing land, the Australian cattle became more and more wild. The softer European herding dogs couldn’t cut it anymore. So Collies were bred with wild Dingos, and later bred with, terriers, Dalmatian, and Kelpie. Creating a dog with the herding instinct of Collies and Kelpie, the tenacity of Dingos and terriers, the horse behavior of the Dalmatian, exactly what was needed. They were later brought to America and are still used for herding, and for stealing my wife’s clothes and running away with them.


The Karelian Bear Dog
http://i.imgur.com/kYCmmwa.jpg

I bet when you think of a bear hunting dog you do not think of this. The Karelian is a Finnish dog and in its home country, it is regarded as a national treasure. The Karelian Bear Dog was used in hunting moose, lynx, wolf, and as its name would suggest, hunting the Eurasian brown bear. In hunting bear, at least a pair of Bear Dogs would be used to harry the animal, barking loudly, in order to distract the bear while the human hunter came in for the kill. They have been used for bear control at Yosemite and Glacier national parks. I would like to use them for a boop on the snoot.