working dog
Trained service animal
A working dog is a dog bred and trained to perform practical tasks rather than kept solely as a companion.
The category includes herding dogs, guard dogs, sled dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and service animals.
German shepherds and border collies are classic working dogs.
The term distinguishes these breeds from toy breeds or pets kept primarily for companionship.
Teutonic sheep-minder
- Belgian MalinoisBelgian herding breed
- border collieHerding breed, exceptionally smart
- huskyRough-voiced or stocky
- dobermanGerman guard dog breed
bloodhound · beagle · pointer · setter · spaniel · boxer · mastiff · Great Pyrenees
Finding and saving people
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- scentAirborne odor detected
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- avalancheRapid mountain snow collapse
earthquake · rubble · cadaver · wilderness · missing person · trailing · victim · debris
One who manages something
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- commandsAuthoritative orders given
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
certification · agility · drills · task · focus · reward · correction · recall
Firm in allegiance
- faithfulConsistently loyal and true
- devotedLoyally and lovingly attached
- obedientFollowing commands willingly
- intelligentHaving mental acuity
trainable · driven · attentive · eager · hardworking · tireless · focused · bonded
Scottish herding breed
- flockAnimals gathered together
- roundupOrganized gathering of scattered things
- pastureGrazing ground for livestock
- corralFenced livestock enclosure
drove · mustering · livestock · penning · grazing · sheep · cattle · ranch
Assists the visually impaired
- mobilityCapacity for movement
- assistanceSupport or aid given
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- emotional supportCompassionate help during distress
PTSD · autism · wheelchair · veteran · disability · accessibility · harness · vest
Guard or monitor
- protectorOne who safeguards others
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- securityProtection from threat
- guardWatchful defensive attention
sentry · sentinel · lookout · alert · territory · deterrent · intruder · perimeter
Informal term for nose
- narcoticsDrugs inducing sleep, numbness
- explosivesDetonating substances
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
- airportAviation passenger facility
customs · border · police · K-9 · bomb squad · drug · arson · truffle
German shepherd
Teutonic sheep-minder
- Belgian MalinoisBelgian herding breed
- border collieHerding breed, exceptionally smart
- huskyRough-voiced or stocky
doberman · bloodhound · beagle · pointer · setter · spaniel · boxer · mastiff · Great Pyrenees · Akita
search and rescue
Finding and saving people
avalanche · earthquake · rubble · cadaver · wilderness · missing person · trailing · victim · debris · water rescue
handler
One who manages something
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- commandsAuthoritative orders given
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
reinforcement · certification · agility · drills · task · focus · reward · correction · recall · engagement
loyal
Firm in allegiance
- faithfulConsistently loyal and true
- devotedLoyally and lovingly attached
- obedientFollowing commands willingly
intelligent · trainable · driven · attentive · eager · hardworking · tireless · focused · bonded · reliable
collie
Scottish herding breed
- flockAnimals gathered together
- roundupOrganized gathering of scattered things
- pastureGrazing ground for livestock
corral · drove · mustering · livestock · penning · grazing · sheep · cattle · ranch · farm
seeing-eye
Assists the visually impaired
- mobilityCapacity for movement
- assistanceSupport or aid given
- therapyCurative mental treatment
emotional support · PTSD · autism · wheelchair · veteran · disability · accessibility · harness · vest · public access
watchdog
Guard or monitor
guard · sentry · sentinel · lookout · alert · territory · deterrent · intruder · perimeter · estate
sniffer
Informal term for nose
- narcoticsDrugs inducing sleep, numbness
- explosivesDetonating substances
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
airport · customs · border · police · K-9 · bomb squad · drug · arson · truffle · bed bug
- dogsbeagle, bulldog, boxer, collie, poodle
- sheepdog trialsherding, handler, outrun, lift, fetch
- dog trainingdown, come, wait, treats, quiet
- sled dogshusky, mushing, sled team, dogsled, musher
- dog breedsborder collie, bulldog, Australian Shepherd, Aussie, corgi
- dog typespurebred, mixed breed, crossbreed, mongrel, mutt