7 Careers for canines

Dogs working in the arts may not be as heroic as police canines or service dogs, but they do serve an important purpose. The creative pups who work in the following careers help to strengthen the human-canine bond, and often raise money and awareness for charities and rescue efforts.

1. Actor

Dogs have been performing on the silver screen since the days of silent film. Uggie, the Jack Russell Terrier who co-starred in the 2011 Oscar-nominated film, The Actor, and the romantic drama, Water For Elephants, was a natural born performer. He received critical acclaim for his roles, and was the first pup to ever have his paw prints immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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Signed headshots of Uggie and his collar from The Artist were auctioned off for charity, and screenings of the film raised money for Dogs Trust.

2. Model

Let’s face it, cute dogs sell. Stunning canine models are in high demand for a diverse range of jobs from music videos to perfume ads. Some even strut their stuff on the runway to show off the upcoming season’s designer leashes, collars and sweaters. All a pup needs is a pretty face and a desire to be adored – which pretty much describes all dogs.

3. Stage Performer

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The amazing mutts of Stunt Dog Productions are all shelter rescues and beloved family pets. Each was chosen for his or her spunky personality and high energy – traits that often make it hard for pups to get adopted. These dogs are lucky enough to put their zaniness to good use onstage. They perform flips, jumps and handstands while educating their audiences on the joys of pet adoption and the importance of spaying and neutering.

4. Artist

Several special pups have garnered attention for their artistic abilities in recent years. Hallie, a blind Longhaired Dachshund, donated more than $15,000 from the sale of her paintings to Purple Heart Rescue before she passed away at the age of 14. Watch this inspirational cutie in action and visit hallieart.com to see more of her work.

5. Sports Mascot

Athletic pups shine as mascots for college and minor league sports teams across the country. The Yale Bulldogs have Handsome Dan the regal English Bulldog who has been portrayed by 17 different dogs since 1889. Aside from his mascot duties, Handsome Dan is involved with several children’s charities including Creative Arts Workshop and Community 2000 Education Foundation.

6. Truffle Sniffer

The perfect career for the canine culinary connoisseur. This job is best suited for one specific breed – the Lagotto Romagnolo – specifically bred in Italy for the purpose of locating these extremely valuable delicacies. Truffle pups love what they do for a living. The job comes with tons of fresh air, plenty of encouragement and affection from their masters, and as much digging time as any dog could ever want.

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7. Doga Instructor

Doga, or Ruff Yoga, is a set of stretches and poses that dogs can perform with their yoga-loving humans. It can be a healthy and refreshing way to bond, if done correctly. Pups that are “Zen enough” can become Doga instructors and put their talents for stretching and working a crowd to good use. The job also comes with lots of love from the human students and plenty of playtime with the furry ones!

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