Working Dogs

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A Saint Bernard standing in deep alpine snow with a small wooden barrel hanging from its leather collar, snowy peaks behind

St. Bernard Barrel: What’s Really Inside? (Hint: Not Brandy)

Did St. Bernards really carry barrels of brandy? Almost certainly not. Here is the real history of the St. Bernard barrel: what those little kegs likely held, where the myth came from, and how to buy a barrel collar today.

Kristine Lacoste

March 24, 2026

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Working Dogs

Can Dogs Detect Cancer? Discover How Dogs Are Trained to Sniff Out Cancer

At her In Situ Foundation, Dina Zaphiris trains dogs to detect early-stage cancer from human saliva, urine, plasma and even breath samples.

Jillian Blume

Mar 10, 2016

Working Dogs

COVID-19 Detection Dogs Enlisted in the Fight Against the Coronavirus

The work being done to train COVID-19 detection dogs is a groundbreaking endeavor that could help stop the spread of illness amid the pandemic.

Jillian Blume

Jun 10, 2020

Working Dogs

Even After Retirement, Military and Police Dogs Are Heroes

Why retired military dogs need our support.

Melissa Smith

Apr 3, 2017

Working Dogs

The Amazing Story of a Secret Service Dog Trainer

As a young boy in the 1970s, Leth Oun survived the killing fields of Cambodia. Now he protects U.S. presidents as a member of the Secret Service Canine Unit.

Jillian Blume

Feb 6, 2019

Working Dogs

Working Dog Breeds: The Best of the Best!

Ever wonder which dog breeds are best suited to various working dog jobs? In this article, I break down the "best of the best," one by one.

C. D. Watson

Jun 5, 2012

Working Dogs

Let's Salute Our Canine Veterans! (Have You Considered Adopting One?)

Dogs have helped in every American war dating back to the Revolutionary War. Some of these dogs need good homes right now!

C. D. Watson

Nov 11, 2014

Working Dogs

Do Bedbug Dogs Work? Yes, and No.

Sorry, but bedbug dog accuracy is not as great as you might think. The dirty little secret in the industry: False positives are rampant.

Dave Baker

Oct 7, 2011

Working Dogs

In Harm's Way: The 4 Surprising Dangers That Police Dogs Face

Police dogs dedicate their lives to helping law enforcement fight crime. And just like human officers, K-9s face many safety risks on the job.

Melissa Smith

Jun 19, 2018

Working Dogs

Meet the K-9s of A&E's "Live PD"

The police dogs are a huge part of this unpredictable, totally addictive TV show. Here's what you need to know — plus, some behind-the-scenes trivia.

Kristene Carroll, CVT

Apr 8, 2019

Working Dogs

The Amazing Work of Search and Rescue Dogs and Their Handlers

Years ago, dogs simply tracked trails. Today, they're being trained in "air scenting." Here's how this new technique has revolutionized search and rescue.

Jillian Blume

Nov 11, 2019

Working Dogs

Spotlight On: Bomb-Sniffing Dogs

Explosive detection dogs are on an unbelievably important mission. Find out how they are trained and which breeds are top candidates for jobs like this.

Jillian Blume

Sep 16, 2014