Non-Sporting Dogs

Working Dogs

The breeds included in the group of working dogs vary from one Kennel Club to another, but mostly they coincide.

The Alsatians (The German Shepherd Dogs). The Alsatian only came into existence in its present form about 1899 when Rittmeister von Stephanitz supervised the interbreeding of three ancient strains of European shepherds' dogs. The result combined beauty and brains.

At the present time they are one of the most popular breeds in the world. No working breed deserves the title "Dog of all trades" more than the amazingly versatile German Shepherd. Thousands of persons doomed to blindness owe near normal lives to his gentle and patient guidance. Besides he guards frontiers, air bases and department stores. No one can calculate the number of lives the German Shepherd has saved in two World Wars, scenting out wounded, carrying medical supplies and messages. Too well-known to need detailed description, the German Shepherd shows an almost primitive beauty of form as he moves with smooth, free, long-trotting gait. His smooth short double coat ranges from black through wolf-grey to white, although white is undesirable, with the muzzle usually blackish. The body is long, strongly boned and muscular. The head is long, lean, broad at the back of the skull and tapering to the nose. The ears, which are broad at the base and pointed at the tips, are carried erect. Eyes almond shaped and as dark as possible. Legs perfectly straight with plenty of bone. The tail hangs in a slight curve. The height is about 26 inches.

Courageous, loyal, even tempered, highly trainable, and keen-nosed, these dogs adapt as readily to being, children's pets as to acting as eyes for the blind. They are cool to strangers and make excellent guard dogs.

The Akitas. Akitas are an ancient Japanese breed of the Spitz family and often used for guard and army purposes although they make excellent sporting dogs. A typical Spitz in appearance with wedge-shaped skull, prick ears, stiff hair on back but softer hair elsewhere. Colour white, fawn, wheaten, black, grey and tan. Akita stands approximately 20-27 inches and has a curled, gay and bushy tail.