As we all know, it was recently #Nationaldogday. And everyone loves dogs, so of course, they even celebrate across the pond in England. Well, the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) observed the day in a super unique, and as it turns out — hilarious way. The post went viral because people couldn’t get enough.
Although some of us forget, most dogs were bred to perform certain tasks. We know, for example, that hound dogs are excellent hunters. What we don’t really talk about much these days is what happens to those dogs when they don’t have a job. What, exactly, do these well-bred machines do with themselves all day?
THE MISSION
So, to check for themselves, the people at the MERL posted the following on Twitter:
It’s #NationalDogDay.
We’re interested in whether you have a working dog bred for a practical purpose but which now fills its days doing nothing of any practical purpose whatsoever.
Pictures appreciated.
— The Museum of English Rural Life (@TheMERL) August 26, 2018
Luckily for us, the wonderful people of the English countryside responded in force. Some of the dogs even had a job at one point, but now they have a cute outfit.
This is Miss Abner, a retired racing greyhound. She likes fruit. pic.twitter.com/dOfVnk4yft
— Sasha Feather (@sasha_feather) August 26, 2018
A few of the dogs never made it into the job market they were bred for, let alone work there long enough to retire.
This is Winston. He trained to be a guide dog but failed for being too lazy or, officially, ‘low motivation’ now spends 95% of his time snoozing pic.twitter.com/JWeK25T3D8
— Ciara Costello (@CiaraCostello12) August 26, 2018
HILARIOUS
One thing is the same for all these dogs — it doesn’t matter if they held a job before or not, they are all adorable and hilarious.
Piper is a Bernese Mountain Dog. Bred to protect and move herds of cattle. Also a drafting animal…apparently can pull 10x her weight, so…1200 pounds?! She enjoys sleeping at least 19 hours a day. Occasionally moves from bed to couch. pic.twitter.com/ZQ4Nd1oNuT
— Shelby Williams (@shelbygwilliams) August 26, 2018
Charlie – bred to herd sheep. Much more comfortable being wise. pic.twitter.com/genWyLcAVS
— Rebecca Scotyon (@Rachael65085980) August 26, 2018
ADORABLE
Whatever these dogs were bred to do, we know that their parents love them no matter what.
This is Gamine. Great danes used to be hunting dogs, but this one prepares a Phd in naps and snobbery. pic.twitter.com/hcvlOEFv2n
— Vipère (@troglodette) August 26, 2018
This is one of our very favorites from the whole bunch.
This is Murdoch. The legendary “Cú Faoil” or Irish Wolfhound. Bred for hunting wolves, elk and pulling grown men off their horses in battle. These days he’s a professional cuddler, pork chop thief and is surprised by his own farts pic.twitter.com/MolXasrpoa
— Shuri Okoye Nakia Page (@rainaepage) August 26, 2018
That guy in the photo above still looks like he could knock a fellow off a horse. He doesn’t look very interested in doing so, however.
Stripes the whippet. Bred to hunt rabbits, prefers armchairs. pic.twitter.com/bt1SoUzOjR
— Sling Babies (@SlingBabies) August 26, 2018
Every one of these dogs is absolutely beautiful, no matter what they are doing — or not doing.
This is Arya with Boo. Boo is a toy poodle/bichon frise. She seems to have been bred to be grumpy and discourage all other animals from playing and having fun. She’s excellent at it. pic.twitter.com/33nsgkL4iI
— jac cain (@cain73) August 26, 2018
The people of England sure did deliver when they shared their amazing dogs with the MERL.
William is a dachshund, bred to go down badger and rabbit sets to flush them out. He doesn’t even know how to dig. pic.twitter.com/LTCoiBPMeT
— Laura Piper (@Mattypriorfan) August 26, 2018
Thank you MERL, and thank you to the people of England for allowing us to learn all about the “working” dogs that live in that beautiful country. Here’s a few more, because they are just too adorable.
This is Remus, a mini Australian Shepherd, highly intelligent dogs bred to herd. Really enjoys chewing paper and giving kisses. pic.twitter.com/VnbGomYvtw
— nikki. (@lauradicole) August 26, 2018
Belle is a working cocker spaniel but has literally only ever worked hard once, when a packet of sausages was slightly out of reach. pic.twitter.com/EN44Gj70e2
— Rosaleen (@olenskae) August 26, 2018
Last, but not least, there’s Baxter.
This is Buster. Jack Russell X Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but with precisely zero ratter instinct. If a mouse runs across our floor he just looks at us, like “what are you going to do about this?”. And if it looks like he might actually catch up with a squirrel he slows down. pic.twitter.com/DtBHer3r7s
— i tweet as i find (@tweetasifind) August 26, 2018
Do you have a hilarious “working dog” story? Tell us about it in the comments.
Featured Images from The English Museum of Rural Life via Twitter
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