BY CELESTE M. GONZALEZ SIXTH IN A SERIES WITH INTENTION T his series is a discussion about the natu- ral tension that exists between how we view show dogs, field/working dogs and dual-purpose (show and work/field)
dogs. The dog grouping last discussed was the Spitz members of the Working Group. This month, we will explore those questions for other functional groupings within the AKC Working Group. How does the evolved morphological form relate to past and/or current function? How and why is it that some breeds have developed different types for field/work and show? What are the actual or perceived similarities and dif- ferences between the purebred show dog and field/work dog? What have breeders done to breed dogs that can do the job for which they were intended, if it still exists, and if not, what sim- ulations exist that are as close to the original intent as possible? Before standards were written for the Working Group breeds we recognize today, dogs were already being used and selectively bred to perform certain work. Multiple factors impacted the development of these breeds and their continued evolution, including geography, climate and terrain, culture and customs, as well as type of work to be performed. Within this Group, we find breeds that serve as flock/livestock guard- ians, human/property guardians, farm dog/draft dog/watch- dog, sled dogs, and other purposefully evolved dog breeds working in various jobs via snow, water or big game hunting. In so many cases, the original purpose of the breed has been supplanted by technology and machinery, enabling man to do the dogs’ work faster and more efficiently at times. Still, there are dedicated breeders who continue to breed quality speci- mens that demonstrate the individual breed’s working abilities where the actual work, or a simulation, exists.
64 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2020
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