Dogs

For thousands of years, dogs have been more than just good companions for people. Sharp senses of smell and hearing and the ability to obey commands have made dogs good for hunting, guarding, herding and other jobs.

Many different kinds, or breeds, of dogs have been trained to help people in special ways. Some dogs help blind people, deaf people, police and ranchers. Some dogs even provide transportation for people! All these dogs work very hard.

Dogs that guide blind people are called guide dogs or seeing-eye dogs. These dogs are specially trained to help blind people go anywhere they like without bumping into things or getting hurt. Guide dogs must be smart, strong, dependable and calm. German shepherds, Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers make good guide dogs.

Hearing-ear dogs are specially trained to alert deaf people to doorbells, alarm clocks, fire alarms, sirens and many other sounds. Hearing-ear dogs must be smart, friendly and energetic. Many different kinds of dogs make good hearing-ear dogs. Border Collies, Corgis and mixed-breed dogs are used as hearing-ear dogs.

The police and other law enforcement agencies sometimes use dogs to help them. Law dogs go through lots of training to learn to catch criminals, find bombs and drugs, prevent crime and protect other police officers. Law dogs must be smart, strong, big and fast. German shepherds and retrievers are good law dogs.

Ranchers that have sheep or cattle sometimes use herding dogs to move their livestock from place to place and keep them from wandering off. Herding dogs must be smart, quick and well disciplined. Collies, sheepdogs and German shepherds make good herding dogs.

In some cold, frozen parts of the world, people use sled dogs to transport supplies and people across large areas. Sled dogs work in teams to pull their loads. Sled dogs must be strong and loyal and have thick fur to keep them warm. Eskimo dogs, malamutes and huskies are ideal sled dogs.

Working dogs can be good pets, too! Hearing-ear, guide and herding dogs and their masters are good friends. Law dogs and sled dogs aren't too friendly to other people or when they're working, but they are good to their masters.

Whatever dog, whatever breed and whatever job, dogs know how to be our friends. Friends deserve to be treated with respect. Giving dogs respect means that we have to be good friends, too, and not treat them unkindly.