Dogs bred for herding, guarding, hunting or sledding have high cognitive and physical requirements that may not be met in standard domestic settings, leading to frustration and welfare-compromising behaviour.
Working breed dogs in domestic settings frequently experience chronic under-stimulation that compromises their behavioural welfare. The high levels of arousal, trainability and physical endurance selected over generations cannot be turned off in a domestic context. Enrichment strategies must match the specific heritage of the breed and the individual dog's needs.