Best Working Dog Breeds Worth Adopting

Working dog breeds are like owning a four-legged personal assistant, and these breeds are the world's favorite.

Working dog breeds are not doodles, purse puppies or small, cute, cuddly lapdogs. They are a different experience entirely. They’re alert, inquisitive and ready to be given a purpose. For dog lovers up for the challenge, a working dog breed offers companionship unlike any other.

Just keep in mind that most working dog breeds aren’t a good fit for inexperienced dog owners. If not thoroughly trained, they can become destructive at best and dangerous at worst.

But if you love to work and want a canine with a strong work ethic, these are the best working dog breeds in the world to meet your needs.

15. Portuguese Water Dog

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Size: 35-60 pounds

Skills: Retrieving, swimming

Temperament: Intelligent, responsive, enthusiastic

Bottom line: The Portuguese water dog is one of the best family dogs in the working dog category. They’re not as large as many working dog breeds, but just as eager to help.

They were bred to be fisherman’s helpers, with an athletic build and tight curls that repel water and shed minimally, much like that of a poodle.

This breed also has webbed feet, so they take to the water like the fish they once herded into nets. They’re extremely friendly and love children and other pets, but they need plenty of exercise and training to channel their energy.

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14. Great Dane

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Size: 99-200 pounds

Skills: Guarding, strength

Temperament: Calm, affectionate, protective

Bottom line: Great Danes are known as the gentle giants of the dog world. They were originally bred to hunt wild boar, but they’ve evolved into huge, lovable goofballs. That said, they’re very loyal. They’re playful and good with children, and they’ll fiercely protect their family should the occasion arise.

At the same time, early socialization with other dogs is important to prevent wariness and potential aggression. The biggest danger of owning a Great Dane? All the stuff they’ll knock over with their constantly wagging tail.

13. Doberman Pinscher

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Size: 71-99 pounds

Skills: Guarding, agility, search and rescue

Temperament: Affectionate, sweet, loyal

Bottom line: Dobermans are the 17th-most popular dog breed in the United States, mostly for their reputation as fearless, always alert guard dogs. Dobermans have a sleek coat and a lean, athletic build.

They excel at police and military work, along with agility sports, but they’re fantastic family dogs as well. They have plenty enough power to take down an intruder, but they won’t lay a paw on their favorite people.

With their families, they’re sensitive, gentle and affectionate. They’re highly intelligent and easy to train, but they can become destructive if not given frequent daily walks and time to run off-leash.

12. Boxer

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Size: 55-71 pounds

Skills: Guarding

Temperament: Playful, patient, protective

Bottom line: Most working dog breeds are poor choices for first-time dog owners. The boxer is a glaring exception. The stocky, huggable pups have a strikingly happy-go-lucky attitude 24/7. They adore playing, and they’re patient with the antics of children.

As a guard dog, they aren’t as intensely protective as a Doberman, but they’re much more manageable for inexperienced owners.

With a low-maintenance coat and a slightly lower energy level than most working dogs, it’s hard to go wrong with a boxer. They’re quiet dogs, too, so if your boxer barks, it’s worth investigating why.

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11. Akita

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Size: 51-86 pounds

Skills: Hunting, guarding, herding

Temperament: Quiet, fastidious, goofy

Bottom line: Akitas are an ancient Japanese spitz breed, used as guard dogs for over a century. They’re strong and built for the cold, and one glance from a suspicious Akita is enough to stop an intruder in their tracks.

With that in mind, Akitas should only be kept by experienced dog owners who are well-versed in training methods. They’re suspicious of strangers and can become dangerous if they aren’t well-socialized and trained properly.

They also have mixed feelings about other dogs, so be cautious about introducing another canine friend to the mix.

10. Bernese Mountain Dog

Big hairy Bernese mountain dog running in fresh snow

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Size: 79-110 pounds

Skills: Strength, herding, protection

Temperament: Sweet, affectionate, hard-working

Bottom line: For a laidback dog that could double as a snoring, tail-wagging body pillow, try a Bernese mountain dog. They don’t bark, dig, snore or drool (at least not much), and they’re naturally floppy ears give them a less threatening appearance than, say, a German shepherd.

Berns are alert and cheerful, always up for a challenge. They thrive on obedience training, which is a good thing since they’re big enough to take down a linebacker.

In terms of work, they’ll gladly help out on farms, pulling carts or herding sheep. With that in mind, be patient with them. Bernese mountain dogs take a while to mature, and a gentle hand is needed to protect their gentle spirits.

9. Alaskan Malamute

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Size: 71-95 pounds

Skills: Sled pulling, hunting

Temperament: Independent, strong-willed, loyal

Bottom line: Alaskan malamutes are the larger cousin of the husky. They’re bigger-boned and can pull heavier loads, but their personality is very similar to that of a husky. They’re playful, curious and willful. And they can make good family dogs with the right training and care.

Novice pet parents should steer clear. Alaskan malamutes need plenty of space, intense training and companionship. If they’re stuck inside all day, they’ll quickly get bored and take out their angst on the entire house.

Oh, and that gorgeous coat of hair they have? It sheds like nobody’s business, so plan on brushing them daily and investing in a Roomba.

8. Standard Schnauzer

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Size: 31-44 pounds

Skills: Ratting, guarding, protection

Temperament: Energetic, playful, clingy

Bottom line: The standard schnauzer is a medium-sized dog breed with enough spirit and excitement to go around. They were bred to catch rats, and their prey drive remains intense.

They have a wiry coat and a wiry personality to match. They’re very smart, but they can learn how to get their own way if not provided with consistent, firm leadership. They’re easy to train, however, and playing with kids is right up their alley.

In fact, having human playmates who can match their energy levels helps to keep their restlessness and curiosity at bay. They can be utter nuisances without diligent training and socialization, but they can become model citizens as long as you know what you’re doing and are willing to put in the work.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

7. Samoyed

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Size: 35-66 pounds

Skills: Hunting, herding, sled pulling

Temperament: Smart, social, mischievous

Bottom line: Speaking of shedding, Samoyeds have enough fur to use them as live-in lap warmers. They were bred to work in the coldest conditions, and it shows. Their bright white coat is unmatched in thickness, so plan on grooming them daily.

They’re active dogs, but the most important thing to keep in mind about Samoyeds is that they are not suited to long hours alone. They become extremely attached to their owners, and their love of humans is built into their genes.

They were bred to live in tents with their human families, and even today, they’re prone to loneliness and barking if left alone too often.

6. Siberian Husky

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Size: 35-60 pounds

Skills: Sled pulling

Temperament: Vocal, friendly, stubborn

Bottom line: If you want a dog who’s quite a character, consider a Siberian husky. Like the Alaskan malamute, huskies were bred to pull sleds.They love to run and have a high prey drive, so don’t get one if you have a cat. Be cautious about where you keep small pets, too.

Huskies also have exceptionally warm coats, so they’re prone to overheating. This can lead to annoying digging behavior, which they do to find cooler spots to lie in during hot weather.

Living with a husky is interesting. They don’t usually bark, but they’re extremely vocal. They argue with their owners through expressive howls, and engaging them in consistent and challenging training is crucial to keep them from getting bored.

5. Great Pyrenees

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Size: 85-160 pounds

Skills: Protection, herding, guarding

Temperament: Calm, well-mannered, stoic

Bottom line: Any guesses why great Pyrenees dogs are so fluffy? They were bred to guard sheep, and looking like a sheep prevented the herd from getting spooked.

Like many other large breeds, great Pyrenees dogs are gentle giants. They can be lazy couch potatoes some of the time, but their size makes a yard a must.

Many working dogs are high-maintenance and require firm training to prevent them from running amok. Great Pyrenees dogs are much more laidback, and they’ll gladly protect their two-legged family at the drop of a hat.

4. Border Collie

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Size: 26-44 pounds

Skills: Herding

Temperament: Active, demanding, highly intelligent

Bottom line: The spunky and spry border collie got its name from its original purpose: to herd sheep around the border between Scotland and England. As you can see above, they have an intense stare that can be used to direct a flock of sheep with a single glance.

They’re extremely intelligent and easy to train, but some form of work is a requirement. They adore canine sports, and if you don’t have sheep for them to herd, getting them involved in flyball, tracking or agility competitions is a must to keep them engaged and on their best behavior.

If the idea of a breed that challenges you and keeps you on your toes sounds appealing, a border collie might be the breed for you.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

3. Belgian Malinois

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Size: 40-75 pounds

Skills: Herding, guarding, protection, search and rescue

Temperament: Smart, obedient, protective

Bottom line: Belgian Malinois are one of the most popular dog breeds used for police and military work. They function more like a partner than a pet. For a dog person who truly wants a loyal best friend to have their back, a Belgian Malinois has great potential.

They’re a high-energy breed that can be very intense. They look similar to a German shepherd, but they’re even more hardwired to love hard work. For all their grit and stamina, they’re sensitive souls. They respond best to positive, gentle training methods, and they do best when they can be a part of most family activities.

That said, if you’re looking for a snuggly couch potato, keep looking.

2. German Shepherd

Serious black and tan German shepherd dog posing outdoors in a forest lying down on a ground in spring

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Size: 49-88 pounds

Skills: Guarding, protection, search and rescue

Temperament: Smart, loyal, cautious

Bottom line: German shepherds are one of America’s favorite breeds, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re fiercely loyal and courageous, and they adapt well to many lifestyles, from that of an affectionate family pet, to that of a service dog or police dog.

Over the years, they’ve served in almost every K-9 service area imaginable, sniffing out illegal substances, herding livestock, working as therapy dogs and even rescuing victims of the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

As much as there is to love about German shepherds, no breed is perfect. They have buckets of energy that need to be channeled into useful activities, or they’re likely to develop separation anxiety, compulsive chewing and excessive barking.

1. Saint Bernard

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Size: 120-180 pounds

Skills: Search and rescue, guarding

Temperament: Loving, gentle, tolerant

Bottom line: Similar to the Bernese mountain dog in appearance, Saint Bernards were first used to guard a hospice in Switzerland and rescue lost hikers in the nearby mountains. Now, they’re known as affectionate family pets that leave a trail of drool everywhere they go.

As long as you don’t mind the slime trail, the Saint Bernard is a ton of fun. They’re nearly unmatched at weight-pulling competitions, but they’re low-maintenance enough to be content with average daily walks.

They’re a messy breed ill-suited to apartment living, but they’re one of the best working breeds for beginners, thanks to their relaxed personalities and couch potato tendencies.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.