Working Dogs

Working group: Hunting
Size: Large
Origin: Akita prefecture, Japan
Coat type: Long hair (cold weather)
How to obtain: Breed from wolves in Extreme Hills biome
Coats: 20

A rough, tough, no-nonsense large game hunting dog, the akita is quiet, clean and aloof. Modern day akitas come from many different lines of hunting, guarding and dogfighting animals, all of which are now extinct due to political turmoil, disease, and being eaten in post-war desperation. The American-type akita has military dog heritage, while the Japanese-type is a more symbolic nonsporting dog.

Akitas are clean, keep to themselves, and generally don’t like to play or listen to strangers. They have a great natural sense of right and wrong. For a dog their size, they are extremely low energy until something gets their attention. They are energetic hunters who lose interest in prey after it stops moving, and leave the dirty work to a hunter. Akitas also excel at weight pulling, barn hunting and tracking work, if motivated.

While this sounds great, akitas’ history can make them difficult. Improper handling can turn their stubborn independence into deliberate aggression. They don’t respond well to food-motivated training, and tend to test handlers’ patience - and often, they win. Akitas are quiet, and their lack of noise and subtle body language can make them hard to read until it is too late. They unfortunately have a reputation as dangerous, unpredictable dogs, and are banned in many places.

A well-raised akita can be respectful to strangers, but owners should plan to keep them as an only pet. They can get territorial over food, toys and even people, and need to be both bred and raised extremely carefully. Some akitas tolerate kids, but many don’t.

Don’t let theatrical tales of perfect loyalty fool you: they are not a good first-time dog, or a good dog for many pet owners. Akitas require serious experience and even more serious discipline to turn their delinquent defiance into diehard devotion.

Did you know? While the modern stock for American akitas came home with GIs after World War II, Helen Keller is credited with bringing the first ones to the USA.

Working group: Herding
Size: Medium
Origin: Anglo-Scottish border
Coat type: Long hair (cold weather), short hair (temperate weather)
How to obtain: Trade from Journeyman (or higher) Farmer villager
Coats: 15

The black-and-white border collie is an iconic dog. They’re known for their eager working spirit, their easy trainability, and their remarkable intelligence and memory: other than utilitarian tasks, like taking detailed directions through hand gestures or whistles, some border collies can remember thousands of words. Originating from Scottish landrace herding dogs, they became standardized into the brainy breed we know today.

Borders are smart, energetic, and adaptable to lots of different jobs. While originally bred to herd sheep, they can learn to sniff for survivors after natural disasters, tolerate attention as therapy animals, and much more. They’re great at dog sports, and love to run agility courses, catch flying frisbees, and more.

However, their active brains and active bodies mean they need an outlet, and collies without a job to do can be anxious, destructive and neurotic. Border collies without something to do will make something to do, usually out of your couch, curtains or drywall.

Unlike many other modern dog breeds, the majority of border collies are bred for their working ability, not physical appearance. For this reason, you don’t just see coat color variation - the ears, eyes, and even coat length of border collies can be nearly anything, as long as they can herd! Lots of border collie clubs trial dogs in herding real sheep, just like they were bred to do hundreds of years ago. They don’t suffer from many genetic health problems, but still need regular vet care.

A well-bred border collie in an active home with an experienced owner can be a great pet, but in general, they might be too much for a working or sedentary dog lover. They need daily exercise and brain work for both them and their owner to be happy.

Did you know? A border collie named Chaser could recognize 1,022 words and categorize objects based on categories like color or size.

Working group: Toy
Size: Toy
Origin: Boston, Massachusetts
Coat type: Short hair (temperate weather)
How to obtain: Trade from Shelter Worker
Coats: 8

A frowny-faced, but fun-loving little dog, this tuxedo’d terrier is a spritely companion breed. Bred in New England and nicknamed “the American gentleman,” the Boston is a cross between terrier and old bull-fighting breeds. Unlike a lot of other bulldogs, the Boston has all of the energy, but little stubbornness, and they love to trot alongside an owner and experience new things.

Boston terriers are amicable, adaptable pets who can learn to love traveling and get along great with other dogs and pets. They’re basically built for kids, and can play without getting rough. Whether it’s lounging on the couch or competing in agility, Bostons will go wherever their owner will.

Heartbreakingly, these loving little dogs have big personalities, but also big health problems. They are brachycephalic, meaning they have extreme, unnatural physical traits. Other than their short nose, Bostons have big heads and stocky bodies which put a lot of pressure on mothers, and lots of puppies - or even the mom - can die if pups aren’t born by Cesarean.

Human psychology favors things with features that look like our own babies, so many breeders favor “cuter” big heads, short snouts, and stocky features. This is great for pampering dog parents, but terrible for the poor pups, who live shorter lifespans. Some extreme Bostons and other bulldogs can’t even run or play like other dogs.

While Bostons are great pets, dog lovers shouldn’t support breeding them as they currently are. Bostons are a high-demand pet, so many shelters even quietly buy from puppy mills to fill demand. Owners should only support breeders who are aiming for longer noses, smaller heads, and better health records.

Did you know? Boston terriers and French bulldogs are two different breeds. French bulldogs, sadly, have even shorter legs, larger heads and smaller noses. Well-bred Boston terriers are healthy enough that they can still compete in sports like agility and fly ball!

Working group: Protection
Size: Large
Origin: Alsatian alpine region
Coat type: Long coat (cold weather), short coat (temperate weather)
How to obtain: Spawns stray in Plains.
Coats: 11

The German shepherd needs no introduction: the hero war dog, the dutiful police dog, the loving American family pet, this large pastoral pup was bred to herd and guard sheep. Intelligent, loyal and with a strong work drive, they are a beloved, but often maligned, dog.

German shepherds are regal, loyal and intelligent dogs, with a gentle and playful streak for those they trust. They can be wary around strangers and other animals, but with good breeding and socialization are doting towards every part of the family, including children and small animals. They are active, playful and love to feel like they’re doing something, and are quick to defend their humans and home from danger.

Unfortunately, Germans have a complicated history of working lines, pet lines, bad health, bad temperaments and misinformation. Pet lines are calmer but live shorter lives due to critical health issues, working lines may be healthier but are so reactive that they are a danger to people and other pets. Many get too big, too fast, and suffer joint and back problems very young. Others become so reactive that they have no quality of life whatsoever. Prospective owners must be incredibly careful and do lots of research.

There is no “one good line” of German shepherds, and the long-term health and working ability of the breed is in danger. Extreme breeding of shepherds means that they have even fallen out of favor for military and police work, replaced by Belgian shepherds.

While German shepherds can make great pets, both the trials of ownership, and the trials of research and finding a good dog make them a difficult choice. There are other breeds with protective instincts and large sizes that may be a better choice.

Did you know? Only two German shepherds have ever won Best In Show at Westminster: in 2017, Rumor Has It took the award. With a moderate size, straight back and spry joints, she really deserved it!

Working group: Terrier
Size: Small
Origin: Oxford, England
Coat type: Long coat (cold weather), short coat (temperate weather)
How to obtain: Spawns stray in Swamp.
Coats: 9

Jack russells are an iconic companion to heroes in media, and a vicious hero in the battle against vermin. Bred to hunt foxes, now mostly used in pest control and as family pets, the Jack is a tenacious terrier with lots of energy.

Like most terriers, Jacks are full of energy, love to bark, and love to play. They are prepared to stick their face right up into danger, whether or not it’s worth the risk. Jack russells contain roughly the energy of a thousand suns, which is well-used in trials like agility, and especially barn hunting.

Despite being a popular pet, Jacks are potentially dangerous and destructive. They’re working dogs through and through, and are notorious for playing rough and biting children, and for killing other pets. A bored Jack will dig out of a fenced yard, or chew through a wall to find something more interesting to do. They are infamous thieves and love to get into trash cans, or onto counters. They require an active owner, and aren’t always the best with kids.

Jack russell terrier breed governing is controversial and complicated, but most dedicated terrier-only organizations allow a variety of colors, sizes and coat lengths as long as the dog can work. Jacks need to be fearless, vocal and super smart, able to solve problems and stare death in the face.

If you’re a farmer with property and a rat problem, Jacks are a great breed - if not, you might want to look at other small breeds that don’t harbor the hateful soul of a larger, more ferocious dog.

Did you know? A famous Jack russell in media, Wishbone, was played by the dog Soccer. His father, Blencathra Badger, was the first Jack russell terrier to win Crufts’ Best In Show.

Working group: Hunting
Size: Large
Origin: England and United States
Coat type: Short coat (temperate weather)
How to obtain: Breed from wolves in Desert biome.
Coats: 15

Pit bulls are a tough breed to talk about. Because of years of myth and mishandling, they are a controversial breed. While “pit bull” isn’t an official breed, it’s a classifying term for medium-sized dogs with short fur, whip tails, large heads and extremely strong jaws.

Pit bull-type dogs originate from crossing the stubborn, meat-headed and aggressive bull-baiting breeds of England with tenacious little terriers, for a powerhouse dog meant to take down animals three times its size.

When bull baiting was made illegal in Great Britain, pit bulls were bred to brawl with each other instead, and are so ferocious that they won’t let go of a bite even when they are fatally injured. They are fantastic at hunting invasive feral hogs, but what makes them good at hogging also makes them extremely dangerous as pets.

Pit bulls’ body language always seems excited, whether they’re ready to play or ready to bite, and they often redirect a bite on a small animal to a person who just wants to help. They also don’t respond to commands as well as other hunting dogs, and can take a long time to “come down” after an attack. They can excel at dog sports as an outlet for their energy, but must be picked and trained carefully to avoid issues with other dogs and competitors.

There are a lot of truths about pit bulls: they are loyal, they are great protectors, and they can be very loving. However, it’s important to also dispel myths: they are absolutely unsafe with other animals, small children and strangers, they don’t have locking jaws (but hold and shake, causing serious damage) and they were never “nanny dogs” or farm workers.

Breed-specific legislation of pit bulls has merit, considering that they are way too much to handle for pet owners. Prospective dog fans who just want a tough-looking but mild-mannered pet should consider mastiffs or rottweilers, and only look at breeders who sell gentle, stable dogs.

Unfortunately, pit bull-type dogs are often subject to dog fighting, neglect and puppy milling. Abuse destabilizes these already-unpredictable dogs, and unprepared owners should not feel pressured into adopting a rescue pit bull by shelter workers. It’s great to adopt a dog in need, but only if it means both you and the dog will have a happier life.

Did you know? Pit bulls have been the top dog breed involved in fatal attacks in the United States for decades. Unlike rottweilers, dobermans and German shepherds, who have seen trends in bite incidents, pit bulls consistently cause severe injuries and fatalities.

Working group: Wild dog
Size: Large
Origin: Temperate and subarctic grasslands
Coat type: Long coat (cold weather)
How to obtain: Spawns in low light levels in forest and taiga biomes.
Coats: 4

Wolves are large, social carnivorous canines native to several places with cold, arid grasslands to grow the large herbivore prey they need. Wolves’ natural social nature helped them become our closest companions, in what may possibly be two separate domestication events.

Wild wolves don’t follow a militaristic “alpha” “beta” structure in their lives. Instead, a pair of wolves will sleep, hunt, eat and travel with their offspring, and sometimes siblings or a vagrant from another pack. They have dozens of unique sounds and body language cues, and hunt cooperatively.

Wolves have been killed as livestock predators for centuries, and still are. They are also threatened by the spread of diseases, like rabies and distemper, from feral dogs. Using livestock guardian dogs can non-lethally scare wolves away, and help us coexist.

Humans have bred wolves into hundreds of domesticated dog breeds, to help us with tasks from herding livestock to protecting our homes, to helping perform in circuses and simply keeping our laps warm on cold nights. It’s a wonder why anyone would ever want a pet wolf… however, some do.

Wolves and wolf-cross dogs are not pets, and they were never meant to be. They react poorly to strangers, strange animals and other pets, and can be unpredictable, destructive and anxious. It’s not all good for wolfdogs rescued from neglect, either, who take up space in sanctuaries that could go to preserve wild wolves, increasingly endangered by pollution, habitat loss and illegal culls.

Did you know? Domestic dogs’ closest wolf relative is an extinct species from Japan. The honshu wolf officially went extinct in 1905 due to rabies, distemper and government-supported killings.