working dog

noun

: a dog suitable by size, breeding, or training for useful work (such as draft or herding) especially as distinguished from one suitable primarily for pet, show, or sporting use

Examples of working dog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The report — which addresses the working conditions of working dogs — somehow escaped our noticed until we were scooped by our friends at USA Facts, a data evangelism and dissemination outfit founded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Advertisement Young saw the devastation to wildlife firsthand while doing research in Mongolia, where companion and working dogs often roam free. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024 But for search and rescue dogs and military working dogs that may operate beyond line of sight, or for people with some kinds of disabilities, neither of those communication options might be available. IEEE Spectrum, 22 July 2019 These changes have made handler and working dog reunions more likely, but there are still circumstances where military working dogs don't have a home to go to after retirement. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 2 June 2023 In February, four U.S. troops and a military working dog were wounded in an explosion during a raid on an Islamic State compound in Syria, U.S. officials said. Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2023 Germany actually is where many working dog breeds originated, but the country is also responsible for other breeds such as tough, little dachshunds, feisty Pomeranians and poodles of all sizes. Arricca Elin Sansone, Woman's Day, 23 Mar. 2023 Nation/World Four U.S. troops and a military working dog were wounded during an overnight explosion in Syria, U.S. military officials said Friday, marking the first time in more than a year that an American service member was injured during a raid against the Islamic State. Dan Lamothe, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Feb. 2023 The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, intelligent, and active breed that was originally bred to be a working dog. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'working dog.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of working dog was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near working dog

Cite this Entry

“Working dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working%20dog. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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