10 Dogs at Work

Dogs at Work written by Pam Holden

Some pet dogs have a job to do, looking after their owner's home or work place. Sometimes a watch dog barks to let its owners know that they have a visitor, or that something unusual is happening. A good guard dog could even save its owners from a dangerous fire or a robber.

guides A guide dog is specially trained to work with a blind or deaf person. Seeing-eye dogs help their blind owners find the right way to go, even crossing busy streets and going into stores. They are allowed to ride on buses and trains, and go into restaurants. These dogs wear a special harness with a handle for their owner to hold as they walk together. A hearing dog's job is to touch its deaf owner with a paw if it hears the telephone, a smoke alarm, or alarm clock. It listens for a knock or the doorbell, a baby's cry, or the ring of a timer on the stove. A hearing dog wears a special yellow coat, so that people know its owner is deaf.

farming On farms, dogs work together to round up sheep and cattle. They bark loudly to make the animals move along from one place to another. Farmers whistle to tell the dogs what they want them to do. Farm dogs can run fast and climb up high hills. They are clever at finding lost lambs or calves for the farmers.

sled team In very cold places, special kinds of dogs work in snow and ice. These strong dogs can pull sleds over ice and across the smooth snow, carrying people or loads. They are trained to wear a harness and work with other dogs in a team. Sometimes a sled team has ten dogs pulling together and running fast.

mountain rescue Mountain dogs are clever at finding people who are lost on mountains or caught in an avalanche. These large, strong dogs have thick hair to keep them warm. They can hear and smell things much better than people can. Mountain dogs dig in the snow to rescue skiers and climbers in trouble.