Working Group Ranked In Order Of Breed Popularity
Powerful and Purposeful Companions
↓ Skip directly to Working BreedsWorking breeds were developed to perform practical tasks like guarding, pulling sleds, and water rescue. Known for their strength, intelligence, and protective instincts, these capable dogs excel at jobs while forming devoted bonds with their families.
Key Working Group Characteristics:
- Strong physique with impressive endurance
- High intelligence and trainability
- Natural protective instincts
Ideal For:
These powerful dogs suit confident owners who can provide proper training and socialization. Their size and strength make them best for experienced owners with space to accommodate their needs, though some breeds adapt well to family life with proper guidance.
Understanding Breed Popularity:
A breed's popularity ranking often reflects its availability. More common working breeds like Boxers typically have more breeders than rare breeds like Komondors.
Browse Working Breeds By Popularity:
Size Range: The lower end of each height/weight range represents typical female measurements, while the higher end reflects male averages.
Rottweiler
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Cattle driving & guarding
Height: 22-27"
Weight: 80-100 | 95-135 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #8
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Cane Corso
Origin: Italy
Purpose: Property guardian
Height: 24-28"
Weight: 80-110 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #14
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Doberman Pinscher
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Personal protection
Height: 24-28"
Weight: 60-100 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #16
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Boxer
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Bull-baiting & guarding
Height: 21.5-25"
Weight: 50-80 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #17
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Bernese Mountain Dog
Origin: Switzerland
Purpose: Draft & farm work
Height: 23-27.5"
Weight: 70-95 | 80-115 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #19
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Great Dane
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Boar hunting
Height: 28-34"
Weight: 110-140 | 140-175 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #21
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Siberian Husky
Origin: Siberia
Purpose: Sled pulling
Height: 20-23.5"
Weight: 35-60 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #26
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Mastiff
Origin: England
Purpose: Estate guardian
Height: 27-33"
Weight: 120-170 | 160-230 lbs
Energy: 2/5
AKC Popularity: #40
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Portuguese Water Dog
Origin: Portugal
Purpose: Fishing companion
Height: 17-23"
Weight: 35-60 lbs
Energy:5/5
AKC Popularity: #45
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Newfoundland
Origin: Canada
Purpose: Water rescue & draft
Height: 26-28"
Weight: 100-120 | 130-150 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #47
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Samoyed
Origin: Siberia
Purpose: Herding & sled pulling
Height: 19-24"
Weight: 35-65 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #53
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Giant Schnauzer
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Cattle driving
Height: 24-28"
Weight: 55-95 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #57
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Akita
Origin: Japan
Purpose: Bear hunting
Height: 24-28"
Weight: 70-100 | 100-130 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #59
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Saint Bernard
Origin: Switzerland
Purpose: Alpine rescue
Height: 26-30"
Weight: 120-140 | 140-180 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #62
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Bullmastiff
Origin: England
Purpose: Watchdog
Height: 24-27"
Weight: 100-120 | 110-130 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #67
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Great Pyrenees
Origin: France/Spain
Purpose: Livestock guardian
Height: 25-32"
Weight: 85-100 | 100-140 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #74
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Alaskan Malamute
Origin: Alaska
Purpose: Heavy freighting
Height: 23-25"
Weight: 75-85 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #79
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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Origin: Switzerland
Purpose: Draft & driving
Height: 24-29"
Weight: 85-110 | 115-140 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #82
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Anatolian Shepherd
Origin: Turkey
Purpose: Livestock guardian
Height: 27-29"
Weight: 80-120 | 110-150 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #86
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Standard Schnauzer
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Versatile farm dog
Height: 17-20"
Weight: 30-50 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #91
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Dogo Argentino
Origin: Argentina
Purpose: Big-game hunting
Height: 24-27"
Weight: 80-100 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #95
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Dogue de Bordeaux
Origin: France
Purpose: Guarding & hunting
Height: 23-27"
Weight: 100-120 | 110-140 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #96
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Leonberger
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Companion & draft work
Height: 26-32"
Weight: 90-140 | 110-170 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #99
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Boerboel
Origin: South Africa
Purpose: Farm protection
Height: 22-27"
Weight: 150-200 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #114
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Black Russian Terrier
Origin: Russia
Purpose: Military working dog
Height: 26-30"
Weight: 80-130 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #127
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Neapolitan Mastiff
Origin: Italy
Purpose: Estate guardian
Height: 24-31"
Weight: 110-150 lbs
Energy: 2/5
AKC Popularity: #128
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German Pinscher
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Ratting & guarding
Height: 17-20"
Weight: 25-45 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #133
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Tibetan Mastiff
Origin: Tibet
Purpose: Monastery guardian
Height: 24-29"
Weight: 70-120 | 90-150 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #148
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Kuvasz
Origin: Hungary
Purpose: Livestock protection
Height: 26-30"
Weight: 70-90 | 100-115 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #164
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Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Origin: Switzerland
Purpose: Drover/Guardian
Height: 16-21"
Weight: 50-65 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #178
CKC Working Group
AKC Herding Group
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Chinook
Origin: United States
Purpose: Sled pulling, freighting
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 50-90 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #182
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Komondor
Origin: Hungary
Purpose: Livestock protection
Height: 26-30"
Weight: 80-100 | 100-140 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #186
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Canaan Dog
Origin: Israel
Purpose: Herding/Guardian
Height: 19-24"
Weight: 35-55 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #195
CKC Working Group
AKC Herding Group
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Canadian Eskimo Dog
Origin: Canada
Purpose: Sled pulling, hunting
Height: 20-28"
Weight: 40-90 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: Not Ranked
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Eurasier
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Companion
Height: 19-24"
Weight: 40-70 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: Not yet ranked
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Greenland Dog
Origin: Greenland
Purpose: Sled pulling, hunting
Height: 22-25"
Weight: 50-70 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: Not yet ranked
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Hovawart
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Guarding, working
Height: 23-28"
Weight: 65-90 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: Not yet ranked
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Karelian Bear Dog
Origin: Finland
Purpose: Hunting, guarding
Height: 19-24"
Weight: 44-49 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: Not yet ranked
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Yakutian Laika
Origin: Russia (Yakutia)
Purpose: Sled pulling, hunting
Height: 21-23"
Weight: 40-55 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: Not yet ranked
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