Dogs can be our best friends and they certainly make the world a better place. Some people would go so far as to call them family members, and many people are made less lonely thanks to these furry companions.

But this was not always the case and all breeds once had a utilitarian purpose, bred to perform certain tasks and go to work the way we do!

Basset Hounds

Basset Hounds’ short legs and general droopiness was once a key to their usefulness, as these characteristics made it possible for hunters to keep up with them. They were used to chase ground prey like badgers and rabbits and often featured in paintings of hunt scenes.

Boston Terriers

Boston Terriers have been wildly popular since they were created just over 100 years ago. They were originally intended to be fighting dogs, but their gentleness and affectionate natures soon saw them becoming companions instead.

Bloodhounds

Thanks to their incredible sense of smell, Bloodhounds were tracking dogs, used to pursue deer and wild boar. They’ve kept up their duties by acting in the same capacity in law enforcement these days.

Bull Terriers

Bull Terriers were raised to be bait dogs, used to provoke badgers, bears, and other dogs. They can even fight rats! They’re best off alone as they don't get on with other animals for this reason.

Cocker Spaniels

Originating in Spain, as their name indicates, Cocker Spaniels were bred as hunting dogs for the aristocracy, specifically to chase woodcocks, a fact which crept into their name as well. They would rush into bushes, scaring the birds into flight so that hunters could shoot them.

These days you’re more likely to find them curled up their owners’ feet as their masters browse social networking sites, play online pokies NZ, or get up to date on their emails!

Great Danes

We don’t know whether or not Great Danes came from Denmark originally, actually, since huge dogs that rival the size of small horses can be found in Germany and France as well. But what is certain is that they were hunting dogs, holding down boar, deer, or other large game until the hunter arrived to finish them off.

Irish Setters

Irish Setters are also sometimes referred to as gun dogs and were used to point out prey for their masters. The breed got very near extinction in the 1940s, but enthusiasts brought them back from the brink by crossing them with English Setters.

Mastiffs

Found in the mountainous areas of Europe, Mastiffs served as guard dogs mainly but would also herd. They weren’t in charge of controlling flocks’ direction, however. Rather, they made sure their charges were kept safe.

Pugs

Interestingly, Pugs are a part of the Mastiff family, they’re just much smaller! They come from Ancient China and are one of the few breeds intended to be our friends from the start.

Rottweilers

Also known as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, meaning Rottweil butchers’ dogs, these animals were used to herd livestock, pull carts laden with butchered meat to market, and protect their owners' takings after money had changed hands.