Enrichment Series: Part 3/4
Finding the right dog breed — and the right style of upbringing — is key. In this post, we'll discuss the difference between dogs raised for work and for show.
When choosing your new dog, especially as a first-time dog owner, it’s important to understand the difference between working and show lineage in breeds.
Working-line dogs have been selectively bred to perform a particular job. They boast a strong work ethic, high energy levels and a lot of drive. They are bred to perform tasks such as for agility, herding, hunting, retrieving, tracking, and protection. They are best suited to owners and households who aim to regularly engage them in these related activities.
With their intense personalities, they need consistent structure and appropriate outlets for their bred purpose. This is in stark contrast to show-line dogs, who can be quite comfortable living a peaceful, domestic life.
Show-line dogs are bred for physical appearance and temperament to a breed standard, rather than job performance. They tend to be more laidback and make ideal household companions.
Regardless of whether they’re bred for work or show, dogs will still often have natural instincts and breed-specific behaviors that, left unmanaged, can cause them to act out. But knowing their breeding background will give you an understanding of the extent of those behaviors, and the skills to better manage them. It will also determine how compatible the dog will be with the environment you’re able to provide it.
That’s why, when going through the breeder and puppy selection process, it’s important to know what line your puppy comes from, as it will inform your lifestyle for the next 10-15 years. While there may be visual differences between working and show-line dogs, lineage cannot be determined on looks alone so it is important to verify the dog’s background with the breeder.
Check out the examples below for both working and show line dogs from different breeds, and contact us today for in-depth guidance on finding your perfect breed.
Working line German Shepherds tend to work in police and military work, protection, detection, and search & rescue.
Working line Labs tend to focus on hunting, retrieval, search & rescue
Australian Shepherds are bred for herding livestock such as sheep and cattle.
Border Collies are bred for herding livestock (sheep).
Golden Retrievers tend to do a lot of hunting, retrieval, search & rescue when they're raised for the working line.
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