National Work Like A Dog Day

National Work Like A Dog Day

August 5th marks a day dedicated to celebrating a common idiom that we often use in our daily lives: Today is National Work Like A Dog Day!  This holiday was inspired by the amazing work ethic of dogs and the many jobs that they perform to help us. Spend today thanking the people who work especially hard, in addition to our canine coworkers!


A Big Thank You To Working Dogs

Although the history of the phrase “Work like a dog” is not known, many believe it most likely refers to actual working dogs.  Working dogs must be intelligent, strong, and alert. They are trained to help humans in a variety of different situations and occupations, and we cannot thank them enough for their service to helping humans!  Some common working dog breeds include Rottweilers, Dobermans, Akitas, and German Shepherds. For a complete list of working dog breeds, check out Animal Planet’s List of Working Dogs.

Sled Dogs

National Work Like A Dog DaySled dogs are and were important for transportation in arctic areas of the world.  They can haul supplies into areas that are otherwise inaccessible due to snow and other weather conditions.  Sled dogs were used to deliver mail to rural communities in Alaska and northern Canada, and some are still used today.

Famous Sled Dogs

You may have heard of Balto, the lead dog of the sled dog team that carried the diphtheria serum (medication made up of antibodies used to treat diphtheria) on the last leg of the relay to Nome during the 1925 diphtheria epidemic.

Another famous dog is Togo.  Togo was the lead sled dog of Leonhard Seppala, a Norwegian Sled dog musher who helped with the 1925 serum run to Nome.

Police Dogs

National Work Like A Dog DayK-9s are trained to help police officers and other law-enforcement personnel.  These dogs protect their handlers in potentially dangerous situations, and they can chase down and hold criminal suspects who try to run from police.

The training for a dog to become a Police K-9 is a very lengthy process, and training actually begins with the canine handler.  They must first complete the police academy and gain experience during one to two years of patrol experience.  As for the prospective dog, he or she must first pass a basic obedience training course and be able to respond to command without hesitation.  Working as a police dog requires extreme focus and the ability to listen and obey a handler in dangerous situations.

Search and Rescue Dogs

These specialized dogs are trained in tracking, avalanche rescue, cadaver location, and more.  A tracking dog will usually work on a lead and will use a scent to locate the person or subject that is missing.  Tracking dogs can work in a variety of different situations and environments and can find the missing subject even if many detours or turns were taken.  Cadaver dogs are often used to locate the remains of deceased victims. These dogs may work on or off-lead to locate entire bodies (including those buried or submerged), decomposed bodies, body fragments (including blood, tissues, hair, and bones), or skeletal remains.  Avalanche dogs work to locate people or other animals that have been buried in the snow from an avalanche. They can smell people that are under up to 15 feet of snow, and will often start to dig once they have located a subject.

Service Dogs

Service dogs are specially trained to assist people with disabilities. They can help those that are blind, deaf, have mobility issues, and more.  For more information on service dogs, check out our blog National Rescue Dog Day that details service dogs and the different ways that they can help people.

Therapy Dogs

These working dogs offer emotional support, comfort, and love to sick or injured people, or to those who just need some extra affection.  Therapy dogs often visit hospitals and nursing homes, as well as schools and daycare centers to help educate children about dogs and to alleviate stress.

Therapy dogs are defined but not covered or protected under the Federal Housing Act or the Americans with Disabilities act.  They are not allowed into public stores and businesses as service dogs are permitted, with the exception of the specific places that they are visiting and working.

Military Dogs

National Work Like A Dog DayMilitary dogs are used as detectors, trackers, and for search and rescue missions. Traditionally, the most common breed for military operations has been the German Shepherd, and these dogs are always paired with a handler.  The handler is responsible for giving the dog commands and cares for the dog in the field.

Some military dogs are outfitted with tactical vests. These vests can hold cameras and microphones that allow the dogs to relay audio and visual information to their handlers.  Military dogs can also detect explosives, narcotics, or enemies, as they have a great sense of smell.  According to the United States War Dogs Association, Inc., “When there is little or no wind, a dog can detect intruders up to 200 meters away using its senses of smell, hearing, and sight. When placed to take advantage of odors carried on the wind the range is extended, to perhaps as much as 1000 meters.”

Detection Dogs

This type of working dog must have a great sense of smell and is highly motivated by positive reinforcement.  A detection dog can smell a specific substance and is trained to identify the smell in a variety of situations. Some of the things that detection dogs are trained to sniff out include illegal drugs, explosives, blood, human remains, and more.

Herding Dogs

National Work Like A Dog DayHerding dogs work with various types of livestock, such as sheep and cattle.  Herding behavior is modified predatory behavior, and through selective breeding, humans have been able to train these dogs to maintain their hunting skills, while controlling their natural instincts to treat livestock as prey.

In order to steer livestock, some breeds nip at the heels, while others get in front of the animals and use what is called “strong eye” to stare the animals down.  This stare down is performed by dogs known as “headers.” Headers run to the front of a group of animals to stop the group’s movement or to turn them in another direction. Heelers”, also known as driving dogs, usually stay behind a herd of animals and direct them from the rear. Some dogs, such as the Australian Kelpie and Australian Koolie use both the “head and heel” methods to direct animals.

How To Celebrate 

  • Put in extra hours at work- meet a deadline early or simply get ahead!
  • Do something nice for someone who works extra hard- get a Starbucks gift card or give a thank you card to show someone how much you appreciate their hard work.
  • Take on a new challenge or create a new goal for yourself- always push yourself to work harder and to be a better person than you were yesterday!
  • Work out before work- studies show that getting some exercise before work can actually increase your productivity.  Work extra hard at the gym and then at the office!


Do you have a working dog breed?  How do you plan to celebrate this holiday?  Let us know!