Most people recognise the black and white Border Collie as a sheepdog. They are fascinated by the way this dog, one of the most intelligent of all dogs, responds to voice and hand signals from the shepherd. Australian Kelpies are also hardworking herding dogs who, to stave off boredom, will round-up a farmer’s chickens, ducks and even small children. They are the only herding dogs that will run across the backs of the herd while urging them along.

Sniffer dogs, checking luggage and parcels for drugs, are also familiar, from TV if not in person. Also familiar are Huskies, Canadian Eskimo Dogs and Alaskan Malamutes; the sled-dogs seen in a number of feature films.

Of course, there are other breeds that work for their livings.

The Rottweiler, a very popular dog here, was originally bred in Rottweil, in Germany, where it worked as a droving and cattle dog. Its natural instinct to protect its owners is very strong and it is now often kept for home security.

There are several types of Mastiff and many have been used for hundreds of years by European farmers’ to protect livestock and families. The famous St. Bernard breed, the world’s largest dog, is descended from mastiffs taken through Switzerland by the Roman Army.

Dogs don’t have to be big to be working dogs. Even the little Corgis, commonly seen with the Queen, have been herding cattle and guarding the farmyards of Wales since at least 920 A.D.

Dogs and humans have a long history of working together.