Utility Breeds

Estrela Mountain Dogs (FCI 173)

Utility breeds contain mastiffs, some livestock guardian breeds, giant breeds and their miniaturized counterparts bred for work other than herding sheep and cattle. Historically they assisted soldiers during wars, pulled carts or sleds, and hunted large game such as wild boar. Today utility breeds are used for police work, rescuing people, and as flock guards. Keeping giant breeds requires space, energy and a firm commitment to training. The reward is a truly magnificent friend admired by all they meet.

Utility Breed Index

The classification of the dogs in this Group varies from country to country. For simplicity of navigation and accessibility, the table below lists the breeds alphabetically that appear in the Australian classification, divided into five sections based broadly on their historical purpose. »» Read more...

Livestock Guardian PMD and Tibetan Mastiff

Livestock Guardian Dogs (Utility)

As Livestock Guardian Dogs are split between the Utility Group and the Working Group in Australia, for ease of navigation those in this section are called 'Livestock Guards'. As explained in Livestock Guardian Dogs History, these dogs live and blend permanently with the flock of domestic animals whether they be sheep, goats, cattle or more recently domestic fowl. Over thousands ... »» Read more...

Mastiffs

Mastiffs embrace a family of giant breeds whose origins date back thousands of years to the Asiatic Mastiff and Tibetan Mastiff. As civilizations moved eastwards many modern large breeds evolved from this one source, the Neopolitan Mastiff and Dogue de Bordeaux developing in Italy and France respectively, and once they reached Britain, the Mastiff (English) and the Bullmastiff. See also ... »» Read more...

Carting and Rescue

Historically, large, heavy dogs often rescued people from the sea as well as those trapped in snow and ice covered mountains. Other draft dogs acted as the farmer's or milkman's assistants, pulling carts of containers full of milk or other produce. This section contains many of our most famous pure breed dogs, originally developed for these purposes. »» Read more...