We’ve all seen working dogs before, whether it be on a farm, at the airport or in the police force. But did you know there are an estimated 83,000 working dogs throughout Australia?
The history of working dogs in Australia stretches as far back as 1935, when the first police dog unit was formed in New South Wales. Since then, the number of dogs used in police squads has skyrocketed, with favoured breeds including German shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Rottweilers, giant schnauzers and Dobermans.
These bigger dogs are generally better suited to ‘K9’ squads – dogs specializing in security or chasing down criminals. These dogs are specially chosen based on their personalities and characteristics. The process for choosing dogs is very specific, and training for these special jobs can take up to 3 years.
Smaller dogs have also been adopted into the police units, primarily as sniffer dogs. They can be used to detect explosives, drugs, weapons and even human remains. The cadaver sniffer dogs have unfortunately become more popular in Australian defence forces since their heavy involvement in the February 2009 bushfires in Victoria.
Internationally, the need for sniffer dogs has greatly increased since the September 11 attacks, and is particularly evident at airports, as well as major public events and festivals.
Then we have the guide dogs and companion dogs not to mention the huge population of farm working dogs.
Recently, the first currency-detection dog was introduced. Atlas the Labrador has been trained to track down hidden currency for the Australian Federal Police, and has so far located over $1 million.
The breeds mostly used as sniffer dogs include Labradors, golden retrievers, beagles, cocker spaniels and poodles.
The job of a sniffer dog is a hard and often dangerous one. The recent tragic death of Diggers Darren Smith, Jacob Moerland and their collie-cross Herbie is a clear example of the extreme conditions these dogs work in. The trio were killed in Afghanistan on the 7th of June after a roadside explosive detonated nearby.
Herbie is the 5th dog to die in Afghanistan since the war began. A memorial service was held for him by dogs and their owners in Goolwa, South Australia at the war dog shrine.
Although the life of a working dog can be tough and dangerous, they still receive all the attention that a dog should. Apparently living, sleeping, eating and working result in an incredibly close bond between trainer and dog, and these dogs are often more of a best friend than a pet.
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