Photographer captures the diverse roles of working dogs around the world
A photo gallery features John Fabiano's images of working dogs, including herding dogs in Australia, sled dogs in Greenland, and guardian dogs. The photographs highlight the specialized training and important roles these dogs play in various industries. The images are from his book 'Working Dogs: Through the Lens of Love and Duty.'
The photographs span diverse geographies and industries, from Australian kelpies herding livestock across large properties to Greenlandic sled dogs consuming walrus meat before demanding work runs. Fabiano documented Swiss Rega avalanche teams training at Bernina Pass, where handlers deliberately refrain from assisting digging dogs to preserve their independent scent-tracking instincts.
In Japan's Nagano Prefecture, border collies and Kai Ken dogs chase crop-raiding monkeys, while Italian lagotto Romagnolo dogs locate truffles in Tuscan forests. The book also features Komondor guardian dogs protecting geese and a lobster boat dog named Briggs, illustrating the remarkable breadth of canine labor across agricultural, rescue, and commercial settings worldwide.
This collection could broaden public appreciation for working dogs beyond familiar companion roles, highlighting their economic and practical contributions to agriculture, tourism, and emergency services. Farmers, rescue organizations, and rural communities may gain renewed respect for specialized canine training and breed preservation. The global scope could also encourage cross-cultural exchange of working dog practices, potentially influencing training methods and inspiring more people to consider working breeds for vocational purposes.