10 Unbelievable Duties Dogs Have Fulfilled For Us

Bobby Mikul/Wikimedia Commons 

When you think of working dogs, images of cops or guide dogs might come to mind. But history has seen breeds doing far stranger things than you’d expect. Firefighting, catching rats, herding livestock—here are ten jobs that sound almost too odd to be true for a dog to do.

Truffle-Hunting

Entheta/Wikipedia 

This curly-haired Italian breed is an underground treasure hunter, literally. Lagotto Romagnolos, with their powerful nose, are experts in sniffing out truffles—the prized fungi that fetch sky-high prices. They’ve been truffle hunters for centuries. It makes them one of the most unique working dogs in history.

Rat-Catching

Autorstwa Radosław Drożdżewski/Wikipedia 

In Victorian England, rat infestations were rampant, and terriers rose to the challenge. Breeds like the Jack Russell and Border Terrier became indispensable for their ability to hunt and get rid of rodents quickly. Rat-catching contests even turned these fearless dogs into underground celebrities.

Firefighting

Von tinyfroglet/Wikipedia 

Dalmatians weren’t always the firehouse mascots we see today. In the days of horse-drawn fire engines, Dalmatians ran alongside the carriages. They cleared crowds and calmed the horses amid the chaos. Their stamina and calm demeanor made them perfect for the job.

Monastery Guard-Duty

Alexandr frolov/Wikimedia Commons 

In the Himalayan mountains, Tibetan Mastiffs were more than pets—they were protectors. These massive, lion-like dogs guarded monasteries from intruders and wild animals. The imposing presence and fierce loyalty of Tibetan Mastiffs made them invaluable defenders in a harsh environment.

Barge Watchdogs

dancing with wolves/Wikipedia 

The friendly Keeshond once had a gritty job on the waterways of the Netherlands. Known as “barge dogs,” they served as watchdogs for Dutch riverboats, alerting their owners to potential thieves or trouble. Due to their playful personalities, Keeshonds were great companions for the long journeys, too.

Cooking

H Weir/Wikipedia 

Imagine a dog running in a hamster wheel—but instead of exercise, they’re cooking dinner. Turnspit dogs, small and sturdy breeds, were used to power rotisserie wheels in colonial kitchens. This job was as common as it was unusual. It made turnspit dogs an essential part of the culinary process.

Coast Guard-Duty

Wikipedia 

The Newfoundland breed has a history of saving lives at sea. Humans often trained these huge, water-loving dogs to rescue drowning sailors and retrieve cargo lost overboard. Newfoundlands became heroes of the high seas because of their strength and natural swimming ability. 

Herding

CJP125/Wikipedia 

Texans bred Blue Lacy dogs for tough jobs like herding livestock and hunting wild hogs because they were agile and hardworking. Blue Lacy dogs are still celebrated in the South for their versatility and dedication, which earned their place in American history. 

Detecting Agricultural Contraband

U.S. Department of Agriculture/Wikipedia 

With noses that can detect even the faintest scent, Beagles are employed in U.S. airports to sniff out banned agricultural products. Dubbed “Beagle Brigade,” the breed protects the nation’s crops from invasive pests and shows that even modern working dogs have it in them.

Tracking Missing Persons

Cleanboot/Wikipedia 

Few dogs can match the Bloodhound’s ability to track a scent over miles. Historically, Bloodhounds have located lost people, escaped prisoners, and even missing animals for us. Their work is so reliable that it is often admissible in court.

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