Photographer Takes Portraits Of The World’s Hardest-Working Dogs

The working dogs of the world tend not to get as much time in the spotlight as their house-pet brothers and sisters. Photographer Andrew Fladeboe, however, is working to remedy this injustice by treating these dogs with the respect and artistry they deserve.

Though his photo series is called “The Shepherd’s Realm,” the dogs aren’t limited to shepherds or cowherds – search and rescue dogs, mobility dogs, guide dogs, companionship dogs and K-9 police dogs also receive recognition. Their fur may be wet or dirty, but their intelligent expressions and stoic nature show that, as companions and workers, they are an indispensable aid for their owners. His project has taken him primarily to New Zealand, Scotland and Norway.

In an interview with National Geographic, Fladeboe explained that most people don’t realize how much these dogs love to work; “Yes, often they live hard and short lives, but for a dog like a border collie, they are happiest when they have a job to do. I feel much worse for a border collie that lives in a big city than one that is worked to the bone on a farm.“