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What is a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD)? from My Pet Chicken

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Backyard Chicken Help - What is a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD)?

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A dog sled is a sled that is pulled by sled dogs and can go over ice and snow. Dog sleds were first made by First Nations people in Canada before the English and French got there, because they had no horses so they used dogs to travel.

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The blind person (sometimes called a "handler") and the dog need to work together. Both the dog and the handler must take special training to learn how to work as a team. The handler needs to let the guide dog know the direction they want to go.

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10 Best Small Dog Breeds for Therapy Work

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Ever wonder what the best small dog breeds for therapy work are? Read the list from Animal Planet to see the 10 best small dog breeds for therapy work.

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Pip | A Short Animated Film

anne.clark on December 2 2018

Dog's heroics will make you cry! Donate at https://www.guidedogs.org/pip "Pip" animated short film presented by Southeastern Guide Dogs -- A heartwarming tale for underdogs everywhere, Pip is the story of a small dog with a big dream-to become a Southeastern Guide Dog. Does she have what it takes? Share the link: https://www.PipFilm.com Tag us on Facebook: @SoutheasternGuideDogs Tag us on Twitter and Instagram: @SEGuideDogs Include the Hashtags: #Pip #PipFilm #SEGuideDogs Find out more at: https://www.GuideDogs.org Film made possible by Gary and Melody Johnson. Click here for the audio description for the visually impaired: https://youtu.be/KqANNQDgkAc

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Pip | A Short Animated Film... - SafeShare.tv

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Dog's heroics will make you cry! Donate at https://www.guidedogs.org/pip "Pip" animated short film presented by Southeastern Guide Dogs -- A heartwarming tale for underdogs everywhere, Pip is the story of a small dog with a big dream-to become a Southeastern Guide Dog. Does she have what it takes?

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Any breed can be a Service Dog. Historically, though, there are some breeds that excel. Read on to learn more!
Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers, or Labs, as they're commonly known to those who love them, are wiggly, happy, social, hardworking critters with a lot of love to give. These stout, large breed dogs are built solid and strong. They have a work ethic a mile wide and their food drive makes them easy to train. They're suitable for all types of Service Dog work and are often used as Detector Dogs and Search and Rescue Dogs as well.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers, like their Labrador cousins, love to pick items up, carry them, and work closely with their people. While they're bred hunting dogs, they have a soft, gentle mouth and an even gentler temperament. They tend to be a bit larger than Labradors, and their coat is thick, long, and requires special grooming. They excel in many Service Dog roles, but they're particularly suited for mobility work and guide work.

Golden Labrador

Golden Labradors are a specialized cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Golden Retriever. They're sometimes called "Goldadors." Crossing the two breeds results in hybrid vigor, or a healthier litter of puppies due to more varied genetics. The resulting puppies typically possess the best physical and temperamental traits of both breeds. The breed mix is utilized by large Service Dog and Guide Dog organizations around the world.

Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles rank as one of the most intelligent breeds, and they're typically non-shedding. Non-shedding doesn't mean hypoallergenic, although it can help. Standard Poodles are extremely sharp, trainable dogs with an aptitude for all kinds of Service Dog specialities. They excel with alert and mobility tasks, although due to their smaller build and stature, they may not be able to provide bracework to taller or larger people. Their coat requires professional care and grooming.

German Shepherd

A German Shepherd named "Buddy" was the very first Seeing Eye Dog in America. Since then, German Shepherds have been widely used as Service Dogs, Guide Dogs, and Autism Dogs around the world. They're extremely focused, hardworking, and easy to train. They're also larger than most of the other common Service Dog breeds, which readily lends them to mobility and wheelchair work. However, trainers must be certain to get a German Shepherd from a reputable breeder, as structure, genetics, and temperament are vital for success Service Dog work.

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Top 5 Service Dog Breeds | AnythingPawsable

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Any breed can be a Service Dog. Historically, though, there are some breeds that excel. Read on to learn more! Labrador Retrievers, or Labs, as they're commonly known to those who love them, are wiggly, happy, social, hardworking critters with a lot of love to give.

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What's the difference between a working dog and a service dog? 

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What's the difference between a working dog and a service dog? 

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Service dog, therapy dog, working dog - what's the difference, and does it really matter?

The answers are yes and yes! Yes, there is a big difference between the classifications. Yes, it does matter to the dog, the handler and the public in general. Here's why.

Working Dogs

John Lennon may not have had the canine in mind when he recorded the song "Working Class Hero," but the argument can be made that all dogs are a working class by nature and certainly a hero by application. The companionship and bond between dogs and their humans suggest something of a working aspect.

A working dog classification could mean the designation provided by organized pedigree groups such as the American Kennel Club. AKC guidelines for its Working Group breeds are dogs that "were bred to perform such jobs as guarding property, pulling sleds and performing water rescues." Included among the nearly 30 breeds in the AKC classification are:

The dogs of the AKC Working Group are large to giant in size, strong animals capable of labor.

The classification "working dog" may also be used to identify a canine trained to perform specific tasks or to entertain. Farm dogs, guard dogs, actor dogs, police and military dogs regardless of their ancestry may fall into the general category of working dogs. Service dogs, therapy dogs and the dog that happily greets his master at the front door are all working dogs.

Those dogs serving a specific purpose that requires specialized training are considered professional working dogs. Their effort and value goes beyond mere pedigree or companionship. There are more than 14 subcategories of professional working dogs on record. These hearty animal laborers include:

Service dogs - assistants to individuals with disabilities (mobility, sight, hearing, and other physical and/or psychiatric issues).

Search and rescue dogs - search for people lost, victims of disasters, crimes and accidents.

Therapy dogs -provide visitation to hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities.

Livestock dogs - includes herding and guardian dogs.

Sled dogs - transports people and/or goods.

Hunting dogs - works with hunters to detect, track and retrieve game.

Guard dogs - protects property and/or humans.

Detection dogs - scent trained to find termites, bedbugs, mold, drugs, bombs, chemicals, diseases.

Military dogs - trained to assist armed forces efforts.

Police dogs - also called K9 Unit dogs, trained to assist police with crime prevention.

Education dogs - assist children with reading programs, good citizen education and to train other dogs.

Actor dogs - used in movies, television programs and commercials, print advertising, circus acts, variety performers.

Cadaver dogs - trained to detect human remains.

It is difficult to predict exactly how many professional working dogs there are in the United States. Rough estimates put the number in the tens of thousands. The Seeing Eye organization alone graduated 372 dogs from its program last year. The 341 st Training Squadron responsible for all US military working dogs reports a constant force of approximately 800 military dogs. There are more than 15,000 police dogs employed in the United States. Professionally speaking, that is a lot of working dogs!

Service Dogs

I watched a cute little pup in the mall the other day. He was on a harness and wore a bright orange vest with the words Service Dog in Training printed on the sides. I thought about my dogs, and I couldn't imagine the attachment if I depended on them for sight or sound or any of the other critical functions that service dogs provide to their human partners.

A service or special assistance dog is specially trained to assist humans with disabilities. They may provide functions such as sight or hearing. Many service dogs help companions cope with various mental conditions like post-traumatic stress syndrome and autism.

Service dogs might also support people with medical conditions including diabetes, epilepsy, narcolepsy and severe allergies. They can be trained to pull wheelchairs or carry oxygen, life-support equipment or medications for their human partners.

Service dogs earn another important designation: They are protected under the 1990 Code of Federal Regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This legislation provides access to service animals working with their humans in any area where the public is permitted. It is not unusual to find service dogs with their human partner in malls, restaurants, theaters, hotels, amusement parks, on trains, buses or planes. Anywhere people go, their service companions may follow!
A few quick facts about service dogs:

The exact number of service dogs around the world is not known; it is estimated in the tens of thousands

Cost of breeding, training and placement of a service dogs ranges from $20,000 to $60,000

Some service dogs are rescues, but most are bred specifically for temperament, size and ability to train

Approximately 70% of service dogs are Labrador Retrievers (15% German Shepherds,13% Golden Retrievers, 2% other)

Most service dogs are placed with volunteer "puppy raisers" until they begin official training

Service dogs start specific training at about 18 months old

The cost of obtaining a trained, certified service dog can range from no cost to the qualified individual to several thousand dollars

Nearly every service dog organization requires a training period between the canine and human partners before placement

Most dogs go into service with their human partners at about 3 years old

Trained service dogs work for six to 10 years before retirement

In the United States it is not required by law to register an animal used for human service. The right to use an animal for special assistance by disabled individuals is protected by the ADA. There is a free, voluntary, online service provided by the United States Service Dog Registry that encourages self-registration and offers a wealth of information for handlers.

Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. They are trained to provide comfort, affection and entertainment to people in nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, schools and retirement homes. These working dogs are often used in therapeutic environments such as assisting with teaching children experiencing learning disabilities and as stress-reducers with victims of accidents, crimes and natural disasters/crises.

Therapy dogs are not service dogs - and are not protected by the ADA regulations. Public institutions may limit or prohibit access to a therapy dog. Training required for a therapy dog designation varies, but it is much less rigorous than that of service dogs.

It Doesn't Matter What You Call Me. Just Call Me.

Regardless of the classification, dogs are a critical part of the fabric of the human experience.

I find it impossible read stories about the brave efforts of military dogs, search and rescue dogs, special assistance dogs or detection dogs without shedding a tear or two! We have all witnessed the trusted police dog, service dog and therapy dog in various daily activities. We are entertained by canine comedic antics in movies and on the television.

Regardless of the tag, working dog, service dog, therapy dog or professional working dogs remain our best friends, favorite family, loyal assistants and, in most cases, our heroes!
Photos: Secretary of Defense (top), smerikal/Flickr
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