How veterinarians really experience working dogs

In the public perception, working dogs, especially those used in protection dog sports or similar disciplines, are often considered particularly demanding or even potentially problematic. But what do those who regularly encounter these dogs in their daily work think?

An online survey conducted in 2025 by veterinarian Simon Bach among 126 practicing veterinarians provides a clear, differentiated picture.

Less aggression than expected

The results show that dogs from working dog sports are perceived as aggressive by veterinarians significantly less often than other dogs. Almost 39% of respondents stated that they never perceive such dogs as aggressive, and another 37% only very rarely. Only 6% reported frequent aggressive behavior.

For comparison: Among dogs not used in working dog sports, 88% of respondents stated that they experienced these occasionally or frequently as aggressive.

The supposedly “tough” working dog often proves to be a controlled, confident patient in everyday practice.

Well-trained – easy to treat

A clear trend also emerges in the assessment of treatability: 85% of veterinarians agree with the statement that working dogs are easier to handle in everyday practice than the average family dog.

Training, discipline, and a stable human-dog relationship appear to be crucial factors here.

Responsible and cooperative owners

The assessment by the owners was particularly positive: 85.7% of respondents rated the compliance, i.e., the willingness to cooperate in everyday veterinary practice, of working dog owners as very good or good.

The picture is similarly clear regarding the topic of responsibility:
83% rate the average working dog owner as very responsible.

Conclusion

The data clearly show:
The working dog is not a problem dog, but often the result of training, consistency and a sense of responsibility.

Source: umfrageonline.com, 2025