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Dogs have always been referred to as mankind’s most loyal companions. From the very beginning, when humans enticed wolves with food, our relationship with dogs has evolved in parallel. Over time, we've bred a diverse array of dog breeds, each suited for a specific role, ranging from working dogs to lap companions. Some of these roles are more surprising than you may think.
Here are ten surprising roles that dogs are capable of performing.
10. Assisting Children in Legal Testimonies
Is there anything more soothing than a dog who trusts you enough to let you pet them? When they lay their head on your lap, it’s a sign you’ve made a true friend. It’s not just the warmth they offer – dogs have been employed in the legal world, providing comfort with their presence to those in need.
For children called to testify in court, the experience can be overwhelming due to the intimidating environment. With a judge, lawyers, and jurors all focused on them, a young child may feel incredibly anxious. This is where a dog’s presence becomes invaluable, as they’re now being used to help children testify.
A specially trained dog can support a child from the moment they report a crime to the police up until they testify in court. When the child is on the witness stand, the dog typically remains hidden with them behind the stand, providing comfort without distracting the jury. This allows the child to feel at ease, as people tend to focus more on the dog than the person they’re with.
9. Friar
Dogs and religion share a sacred bond. From St. Roche, who found solace in his dog, to St. Christopher, often portrayed with a dog’s head, to St. Guinefort, a dog who was canonized as a saint, humanity's admiration for dogs has often bordered on reverence. On a practical level, monks and churches would often keep dogs to guard their premises. One monastery in Bolivia has even decided that one dog has been such a good companion, he deserves his own uniform.
Friar Carmelo is a schnauzer who gained fame after being photographed in a miniature monk's habit, crafted from a puppet used to entertain children. Since then, this canine friar has become an internet sensation. His fans have affectionately named him Friar Moustache due to his distinctive facial hair.
While Catholic doctrine generally holds that animals cannot enter heaven because they are believed to lack eternal souls (with their souls passing away when their bodies do), certain popes have opened a door for animals. Pope Paul VI reassured a grieving boy, saying, 'One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.'
8. Truffle Hunters
Truffles are among the most coveted and expensive food items in the world. Due to their unique relationship with trees and their intricate growth cycle, truffles cannot be farmed. If we want to enjoy their rich flavor, we must search for them in the wild – and not with our own limited sense of smell.
Some animals possess far more sensitive noses than we do. Pigs are famously skilled at sniffing out truffles buried underground, but they also have a tendency to eat what they find. Dogs, however, are much less likely to consume the prized fungi. Some dogs are even trained from an early age to associate the distinct scent of truffles with a reward.
In Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed is now primarily known for its truffle-hunting abilities. While it was once used for hunting animals, its focus has shifted – now it hunts for the elusive truffle instead.
7. Ball Dogs
Catching and retrieving balls is one of dogs' favorite activities. But why do we have them perform this task during tennis matches? That’s exactly the question a Brazilian tennis tournament aimed to answer. Several dogs, rescued from the streets of Sao Paulo, were dressed up as ball boys and girls and released onto the court.
However, the goal wasn’t to replace their human counterparts. Since the dogs were strays, the idea was that spectators would be inspired to adopt them after seeing them on the court. In the first year, all four ball dogs were adopted, and more stray dogs were soon brought in.
The stray dogs weren’t always the most obedient court assistants. While they quickly learned to fetch the balls, they sometimes refused to return them to the players. They were only used during warm-ups, though – after all, who could focus on the tennis match with playful dogs on the court?
6. Art Protector
When we think of dogs as protectors of valuable possessions, we often envision fierce guard dogs ready to protect against burglars. Riley, however, has a much gentler role in safeguarding art. Riley the Museum Dog works at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where he helps detect pests that could harm priceless artwork.
Pests ranging from moths to rats can destroy art, even in the best-maintained museums. Riley uses his keen sense of smell to identify these threats before they can cause damage. He was introduced to the museum at a young age, helping him become familiar with his environment and ensuring he wouldn’t harm the artwork himself.
Riley has since become a beloved mascot for the museum, even starring in his own book, *The Adventures of Riley, the Museum Dog*.
5. Cancer Detector
A dog’s sense of smell is incredibly powerful. While humans have about 6 million smell receptors, dogs can have up to 300 million. They also dedicate a much larger portion of their brain to processing these scents. It’s no wonder that dogs can detect things that would be impossible for us to even imagine.
Some dogs are so attuned to scent changes that they can sense when their owners are ill, just by detecting alterations in their scent. Other dogs can be trained to identify specific diseases in people they’ve never met. Daisy the dog, for example, has been trained to identify who has cancer. Having analyzed over 6,000 samples, Daisy has accurately detected cancer in 550 individuals, including her own owner.
'Daisy kept nudging and pawing at my chest one day, which really worried me,' said her owner. 'I went for a check-up and was told I had early-stage breast cancer. Luckily, I was able to have it removed, but if it weren’t for Daisy, it might have gone undetected for much longer and could have been much worse.'
For her incredible healthcare work, Daisy was awarded a Blue Cross Medal in 2014.
4. Cheetah Befriender
The health benefits of having a dog are widely recognized. Beyond the exercise we get from playing with them, dogs provide significant mental health advantages. The comforting presence of a dog can help reduce feelings of loneliness and depression—not only in humans but also in other animals.
Cheetahs are naturally built for speed and thrive in the vast open spaces of Africa. However, a small zoo enclosure can make them anxious and even depressed. Constantly wary of larger predators, they often feel threatened by the crowds of humans observing them. A dog, with its calm demeanor, can be the ideal companion to soothe a cheetah’s nerves.
Despite the popular myth of an inherent rivalry between cats and dogs, these two animals often enjoy each other's company. Dogs provide a calming presence and companionship, while cheetahs offer playmates for the dogs.
3. Max the Mayor
While even the most adored politicians have their critics, it’s hard to find anyone who dislikes the Mayor of Idyllwild, California—because he’s a dog. Named Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II, he’s been serving as mayor since he was just 11 weeks old.
Mayor Max is not the first canine to hold the title of Mayor in Idyllwild. His predecessor, Max I, passed away during his term, prompting a swift search for a replacement. The original Mayor Max earned his position during a charity event, competing against various other pets. Since Idyllwild is an unincorporated town without its own government, Max’s role is largely symbolic and ceremonial.
Now, Max II spends his days bringing joy to the town’s residents. Dressed in a tie, he’s frequently seen on weekends touring the town in the back of a pickup truck, barking joyfully at his admirers. Despite facing an “assassination attempt” when another dog lunged at Max’s neck, it seems his tenure as mayor will continue for a long time.
2. Penguin Protectors
Invasive species can often devastate local wildlife, and human efforts to curb their spread can sometimes backfire in unexpected ways. However, one such case has led to a heartwarming solution. On Middle Island, located off the southern coast of Australia, a colony of the world’s smallest penguins has been under threat from foxes.
These Fairy Penguins are as adorable and delicate as their name suggests, yet they lack any natural defense against foxes. A change in the coastline allowed foxes to access the island at low tide, and researchers discovered the tragic aftermath. After the foxes’ visit, they found that hundreds of penguins had been killed, with 360 miniature penguins slaughtered in just two nights.
A local chicken farmer named Swampy Marsh devised a clever solution. With his experience in protecting birds from foxes, he proposed using dogs as guardians for the penguins. Since dogs have been keeping watch over the Fairy Penguins for the last decade, there hasn't been a single fatality caused by foxes.
1. Anti-Tank Dog
Not all roles dogs take on are celebrated on social media. In wartime, humans often enlist animals as allies in various capacities. These animals serve as pack animals, guards, or even weapons. The Soviet Union's Anti-Tank dogs were trained to be living weapons – and they were designed for a one-time use.
The initial plan was to have the dogs carry bombs and deliver them to the vulnerable underbelly of enemy tanks. Initially, the dogs were taught to release the bombs upon arrival, but in the chaos of battle, they were often too confused to follow through. They would instead return to their handlers with a live, active bomb still strapped to their backs. The next step was to modify the dogs' training by attaching bombs that would detonate when they came into contact with the tanks.
However, the Russians had made a crucial mistake in their training. They had used their own tanks to train the dogs, and the dogs, thinking they were looking for a treat under the tank, naturally sought out the tanks they recognized and were most familiar with.
When anti-tank dogs were sent into real combat, the majority were killed before they ever reached a tank. Some even turned back toward their handlers, only to be shot by their own side. Thankfully, this is a role that no loyal dogs are called to play anymore.
