Service dogs: description, breeds and contents

Once a man tamed a wild dog so that it guarded the home and helped in the hunt. Centuries passed, and the function of a best friend remained virtually unchanged, moreover, his range of activities expanded significantly, many service breeds were bred.

Since ancient times, housing conditions have undergone a number of serious changes, the lifestyle of a person has changed. Many are impressed by the mind and poise of service dogs. However, not everyone is aware that they require special handling.

The vast majority of dogs of service breeds are large, powerful dogs, the strength of which can be used in absolutely any field of activity.For example, guard dogs guard important industrial and railway facilities, warehouses, bridges, houses and apartments. They are brave, vicious and distrustful to strangers dogs with good hearing and excellent sense of smell.

Similar breeds are used in military service, with their help, search activities are carried out. Bloodhound dogs serve on the border, help fight crime, protect state property. For border dogs incredibly acute sense of smell, which allows not only to detect, but also to distinguish more than two thousand odors.

Watch dogs patrol the territory, search the area for illegal entry into the territory of people or thrown foreign objects. These dogs also work on explosives, weapons, or drugs. Without them, not a single inspection at the station, at the airport or at customs can do.

Dogs with a calm character, balanced nervous system and acute instinct have found application for search and rescue operations of the Ministry of Emergencies. As a rule, these are strong, hardy animals like St. Bernard, Newfoundland, French or German Shepherd, Collie or Nenets husky.

Husky and husky have similar characteristics, which are used as sled dogs, because they have to transport people or goods on snow and ice over long distances. On average, they cover a distance of 70-80 km - and this is only a day.

Shepherd dogs are characterized by an innate hatred of wolves and excellent guard qualities. These dogs independently protect pastures from predators and prevent cows, goats or sheep from fighting off the herd. If the animal is lost, the dog will independently find it and drive it back.

In a separate category allocate hunting dogs - greyhounds, huskies, hounds, pointers and spaniels. Terriers and dachshunds are used for hunting burrows. Each hunter is characterized by sharp instinct, courage, endurance and strength. Well, hunting skills are formed in the process of a long training.

If the owner is not going to train a pet in a certain profession, but he wants to have a service dog as a protector and friend, he should pay attention training. The dog must know main commands and obediently obey your master.

Before choosing a friend, it is worth learning more about the varieties and characteristics of the character of specific breeds. We will make a reservation right away: this will not be a list of service dogs, but a description of the names of the most common breeds.

The most popular from this category are German, East European, Caucasian, Karst, Belgian, Scottish, French or White Swiss Shepherd Dogs. These dogs are the best in any field of activity.

They serve at the border, search for explosives and narcotic substances, work at the police and customs, guard warehouses, and take part in search and rescue operations.

If you have to leave a pet for a long time, you should find something for him to do. It is best to entrust him with the protection of a bag, sofa or laptop. The animal will not be bored, and upon arrival the accessory, furniture or equipment will be in excellent condition.

Shepherd dogs easily get along with other domestic animals, especially if they grew up with them. They become babysitters for young children and willingly take part in games. A well-bred dog will never show aggression, but she does not like strangers. Therefore, the shepherd may not be too hospitable to welcome guests.

Have similar character traits Cane Corso and the English Bullmastiffs - The largest representatives of service dogs. They look intimidating, but in the owner’s hands they are obedient animals, good playmates and reliable defenders.

Phlegmatic St. Bernards and calm Newfoundlands are kind, intelligent, fearless and infinitely loyal to their master dogs. They are completely uncharacteristic of aggression, so they will not become good guards and watchmen. However, their colorful appearance in itself scares bullies and robbers.

Thanks to the good nature, rescuers easily get along with children of any age, willingly look after them and take part in games.These dogs have developed self-esteem, they will not attract attention to themselves with indecent tricks. But if there are no hosts nearby, the dogs will be very homesick.

The only drawback of Newf and St. Bernard is the long coat, which requires careful daily care. The dog needs to be combed out every day, and after each walk brush it to remove street dust and dirt. Only then will these long-haired beauties have a presentable appearance.

Refers to them german boxer with a balanced nervous system and cheerful character. Boxers love to play and fool around, while they are distinguished by great strength and endurance. They get along well with all the households, become good friends for young children and reliable guides for people with disabilities.

Boxers are fearless, but they are suspicious of strangers. They do not tolerate separation from the owner, it is difficult for them to remain alone. With proper education, they are very calm at home, but on the street they can bully other four-legged animals. Therefore, from a puppy's age, you need to train a boxer to communicate with your own kind.

Another popular breed is considered american pit bull terrierdespite the disgusting reputation of the killer dog that the media created. After all, these muscular monsters have a playful character, love the company of children and often become caring nannies for them.

If the living conditions do not allow you to get large dogs, you should look at the small service dogs. These include dachshunds, fox terriers, spaniels or miniature schnauzers. They become excellent companions, sincerely attached to the owner, willingly play with young children, and if necessary, boldly rush to protect them.

Small service dogs are great guards and watchmen. That is why they can not be started as indoor dogs - they need to be raised as a serious big dog. Only then will it be possible to grow an adequate calm animal.

Regardless of the breed chosen, keeping a guard dog requires certain nuances.

• First of all, pets cannot be locked in the cramped rooms of a city apartment. Long gatherings in a confined space negatively affect the dog psyche, so all doors of the home should be open for them.

• This animal needs serious physical activity with long walks and active games. The duration of the walk should be at least one and a half hours twice a day, and any route must necessarily run through the site on which the dog can safely run without a leash.

• Dogs must be busy even when the owner is absent. Therefore, no need to save on toys. It is better to make several sets - for home, for outdoor games and for training. Even walks should be informative and include learning a new trick or team.

• Despite their seriousness, service dogs are sincerely attached to their master and can not tolerate loneliness.Inattention is not forgiven - they begin to cheat and dare to attract attention to themselves.

• It’s easy to care for them: it’s enough to brush your ears and teeth regularly. To make the dog's coat look healthy, you need to comb the dog with a brush (for long-haired breeds, you also need to buy a puffer dog). You need to bathe the dog no more than once every two months, and after walking it should be wiped with a damp terry towel.

• Each breed has a tendency to certain diseases. In the city, the most common problem is physical inactivity and obesity. An attentive owner should consult with a veterinarian in a timely manner, and as a preventive measure, it is necessary to provide the pet with an active lifestyle and choose a balanced diet for it.

It is no coincidence that it was mentioned about the diet, because with proper feeding the dogs do not gain weight, their appetite is not disturbed. They feel good, look great and are actively involved in games.

To maintain the cheerfulness of the pet, you should follow a certain diet. For example, puppies are fed at least 6 times, young growth - 4-5 times a day at regular intervals. During the period of mating, whelping and lactation, bitches are fed 3-4 times a day.

Adult dogs are given food 1-2 times a day. If the service dog works in a certain specialty, it must be fed in the morning and in the evening: two hours before work and one hour after its completion.

You can use as feed as ready-made commercial meals, as well as ordinary homemade food. In the latter case, the owner will have to independently balance the diet of his pet, supplement it with vitamins and minerals.

From the first months of life, a little puppy is taught to live in a family. The dog must understand that he takes the last place in this pack and even the youngest child is more important than him. Make it easy: it is enough to strictly suppress all attempts by the growing pet to snap or growl at the owners and their children.

Also, games with biting hands and feet should not be encouraged: puppy fuss touches, but a hefty dog ​​trying to play with a limb will not cause joy. Do not make the dog nervous with a loud scream or annoyed tone. A slight click on the nose will make it clear to the upset pet that the owner is dissatisfied with his behavior.

And you can not wait until the pet leaves the coast, and direct his energy into a peaceful direction, proceeding to study the basics of the initial training.

• From the first month of life, the dog is taught to cleanliness. To do this, put a tray, lay diapers or lay a newspaper and take the puppy there immediately after waking up, after an active game and 15-20 minutes after eating. When quarantine ends, the dog is taken out into the street in the same time frame.

• From a month and a half, the puppy is taught to respond to its name. As a rule, a dog remembers a nickname well if the owner calls him to feed him.

• From two months old the puppy is trained to walk on a harness or on a leash and the teams of the so-called general training: “Place”, “Nearby”, “Sitting”, “Lying”, “To me”, “Fu”, “Aport”.

All of these actions help to grow an adequate guided dog. If you plan to train her in a specific specialty, you will have to turn to the help of a dog handler. The specialist will apply certain methods for training service dogs.

Future bloodhounds are taught to find things by smell. At first it can be a favorite toy, then - any item with the smell of drugs or chemicals. Snoops are taught to find money, weapons, and ammunition. Today they are even trained to search for memory cards and hard drives. Dogs are specially trained so that when a prohibited object or substance is found, they sit down or give a voice.

Rescuers are taught safe movement on difficult sections of roads. These dogs are not afraid of fire, smoke or gas smell. They are taught to search for people both under the rubble and under water. Together with the dog, its owner-guide gets a first aid skill at the same time, learns to navigate the terrain in any weather conditions using a compass and a map. To confirm qualifications, he takes an annual exam.

Special cynological methods are used to train guide dogs. These dogs are taught to stop at all objects that pose a danger to a visually impaired person. These are steps, stairs, fences, concrete restraints, low branches of trees, etc. The dog continues to move only when the person gave the command.

Guidelines should not be distracted by other dogs, cats and bystanders. These dogs should not be afraid of busy traffic and sudden sudden sounds. And they are also taught to remember the owner’s routes: a store, a clinic, work, etc. At the same time, dogs are not guards, because the guard dog will not let strangers to the owner when he needs help.

The name of the dog should be short, harmonious, consistent with the size and appearance of the pet. Agree, it's funny to give the spaniel and dachshund the nickname Alf or Vityaz, and call the shepherd and saint Bernard a Bagel or a Bowknot.

Some experts believe that the name to a certain extent affects the character of the growing defender and friend. If the nickname contains the letters P or F, the dog grows bold, decisive and independent - excellent features for the future bloodhound, guard or watchman. Such pets are nicknamed Thunder, Earl, Ray, Alph (Alpha), Akbar, Gerda, Hera, Daphne.

If you plan to develop friendliness, complaisance and affectionate character in a dog, it’s worth picking nicknames with the letters L, M, N. For example, Mason, Volt, Antey, Axel, Amigo, Umka, Chingiz - for boys, Alma, Naida, Dana, Nika, Silva, Janika - for girls.

The rest of the choice of nicknames remains entirely with the owner and members of his family. You just need to carefully look at your four-legged friend and react to business with a positive attitude.

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