working group - kmfisk/workdog GitHub Wiki
Working group is a classification for dogs. Working group decides what task a dog will perform for their owner in working mode.
Working group is decided per-breed, and cannot be changed by crossbreeding or training. Dogs within a work group will always be inclined to behave a certain way, because they have been bred for it for generations. Some dogs, because of their origins, are also prone to side effects of work instincts, such as aggression towards other animals and fear of strangers.
As of Workdog 1.0, there are eight working groups, though not all are currently used.
PLEASE NOTE: In the "Lite" beta version, working modes are not-yet FULLY implemented! Certain work groups have more functionality than others, some may have zero functionality.
Bay dogs are bred to help humans find and track things. Whether they're hound dogs sniffing out the trail of an escaped criminal, or a pointer showing a hunter exactly where to shoot, these dogs lend their senses to their trainers to track down and complete a task.
A bay dog's job is to indicate the presence of a target, either by barking (or howling, with a distinct noise called "baying" used to name the work type), pointing, or by performing a trained behavior, like sitting or laying down. Unlike Hunting dogs, bay dogs are not used to kill prey. In fact, for several breeds, allowing a dog to kill quarry is considered a fault of the trainer, and may be penalized in competitions. When they aren't on a backwoods trail, many bay breeds are also used in law enforcement, to find missing people and to sniff for chemical residues from bombs or arson.
Bay dogs are extremely intelligent, but can be independent and strong-willed. They always have very strong instincts, and not even the best trainer can get rid of their instinct to follow a trail and chase down something interesting. While their job is to show, not kill, some of them may go after small pets, or even take off after much bigger animals.
Bay dogs are a work in progress, and currently, none of their behavior is known or functional.
Bay group dogs use a red-orange spawn egg.
As of version 1.0, the bay group goes unused by any dogs.
Herding dogs are bred to help farmers move and control livestock. Whether it's by staring and intimidating flighty animals such as sheep to run in a certain direction, or harassing and biting at the heels of stubborn stock like cattle or pigs, they are meant to reduce stress and risk on both the animals and the people involved in caring for them.
Using dogs to herd takes advantage of herbivorous animals' instinctive fear of predators, and can help to move them without having to hit them, kick them, or strike them with a weapon. Unlike media portrayals, herding dogs don't hang out with farm animals all day: instead, being strange and scary to the animals around them is vital to their job. If cows or sheep get too used to the dog, then a threatening stare or bite won't be able to spook them into motion. Livestock guardian dogs are better companions for farm animals, and will stay and protect them, rain or shine.
Herding dogs are extremely intelligent with great problem solving skills, and both learn and respond to human commands very quickly. They need to be fast-moving, and tend to be small-to-medium sized. Some herding dogs have short, stubby legs to avoid being kicked by cattle, and some traditionally have docked tails for the same reason. They are generally social with other dogs and by nature have to be gentle around other animals. However, they can make difficult pets because of their high energy and work drive. Without something to do and somewhere to run, many herding breeds get nippy, anxious and destructive.
Herding dog breeds use a green spawn egg.
As of version 1.0, there is one breed of Herding dog.
- Border collie (Medium, Temperate/Cold)
In Working Mode, Herding-group dogs attract passive livestock mobs. Mobs try to follow them very closely.
The player can use this ability, in combination with the Come and Go Here commands, to move the dog and its stock into pens, between bases, and across large stretches of the map without losing animals as they lose interest in following the player. If not given a "Come" or "Go Here" command, the dog will follow its owner, effectively leading along however many animals need to be moved.
Skittish livestock such as rabbits that run from the player do not fear herding dogs, so using them can also be a hassle-free way to move flighty animals.
PLEASE NOTE: In the "Lite" beta version, herding is not-yet implemented!
Hunting dogs are one of the oldest, most ubiquitous types of working dog. Dogs have stronger senses, sharper teeth and faster feet than people, and they are an incredible asset in catching very strong or very fast prey. There are several subtypes of hunting dog with different behavior: only catch dogs are grouped under "hunting" in working dogs, and hounds and pointers are considered bay group.
Using dogs for hunting has several advantages. They can find a prey animal faster than most people can, and if a hunter misses a shot, they can track down a bleeding animal to ensure it is dispatched humanely instead of bleeding out. Using catch dogs for extremely large, tough animals like boar and bear guarantees that the hunter can get close and get a fatal strike, reducing stress and suffering on the animal. Using dogs to hunt smaller game is also considerably more humane, since they kill rodents and rabbits by instantly breaking the neck, instead of a gunshot or arrow which may cause a prolonged death if misplaced. Good hunting dogs also give up the chase when the game is over, and pose no bite risk to a hunter handling their catch.
Many cultures and locations have developed their own hunting dogs for their own local quarry. Hunting dogs' physical and behavioral traits vary widely, depending on their role in a hunt, the animal they were bred to hunt, and the terrain and culture of the people who bred them. Almost all dog breeds have some foundation in hunting, but the ones that are specialized for it can often go after prey their owner doesn't want them to. Uncontrolled hunting dogs with too high of a prey drive can also post a risk to people.
Hunting dog breeds use a red spawn egg.
As of version 1.0, there are 2 Hunting breed dogs.
In Working Mode, Hunting-group dogs patiently follow their owner. They wait for their owner to injure an entity: while intended for animals, this can also be a passive mob, a monster, or another player. Hunting dogs will rush down and attack anything that their owner hits with a weapon or a bow and arrow, and attempt to kill it.
On making a kill, the dog will return to their owner. If the dog is equipped with saddlebags it will automatically pick up drops from a kill without the player having to collect them. Other than saddlebags, players should consider equipping their Hunting dogs with a hog vest, which provides them protection against prey that fights back.
Depending on the breed, Hunting-group dogs incur a Looting bonus on kills that they make. For this reason, if it is safe, it is advised that players allow their dog to kill a mob.
If a hunting dog has small or large prey drive it may become distracted from a hunt and run after another target. This can be dangerous in areas where there are farms, or in multiplayer when there are other players who keep their dogs or other pets outside.
PLEASE NOTE: In the "Lite" beta version, prey drive is not-yet implemented! Otherwise, hunting dogs should work as intended excluding any equipment.
Livestock guardian dogs, shortened to Guardian dogs, are a specialized type of guard dog. In ancient times, in the places early humans shepherded sheep and goats, packs of wolves and feral dogs were a serious threat. While domestic sheep and goats lost their fear of humans, they also became defenseless against predators, and both adult stock and babies could easily be picked off by predators - or thieves. Guardian breeds are generally mastiffs, bred to be gentle and loving towards other animals, and aggressive to anyone else.
Using livestock guardian dogs to control predators is a fantastic, ecologically conscious way to balance human needs and wildlife welfare. Livestock guardian dogs rarely need to kill predators, and instead provide a passive deterrent, meaning predators do not need to be killed with weapons, traps or poison. Guardian breeds are big enough that they are a credible threat to most predators in the Old World. In America, where the wolves are larger and packs of stray dogs are a bigger concern, farmers often deploy them in bonded teams of two to put up a fight. Guardian breeds aren't just used against wolves, and in Africa, they are increasingly used to reduce conflict between pastoral farmers and cheetahs.
Livestock guardian dogs are bred to be alone and out in the elements for weeks at a time, and to be hostile towards other dogs and strange people. It's no wonder that they aren't good pets, and aren't a good match for anyone without property to protect.
Guardian breeds are the only dogs able to equip the wolf collar.
Guardian breeds use a yellow spawn egg.
As of version 1.0, the guardian group goes unused by any dogs.
In Working Mode, Guardian-type dogs follow the player until they find a passive entity. They will seek out livestock animals, villagers, as well as tamed pet cats and parrots. Once the dog sees a target to protect within 16 blocks, it will move away from the player and begin to passively follow, and stay near, its target.
If a hostile mob, wolf, fox or Working Dogs wolf comes within 16 blocks of a Guardian dog, it will begin to growl. Foxes, wolves and creepers are repelled by this, but Working Dogs wolves and other hostile mobs are not. If that distance decreases to 8 blocks, the dog will rush down the target and attack it. Guardian-breed dogs that display human aggression will also display their aggressive behavior towards other players holding weapons, or who attack a charge animal in their range.
Because they may be dealing with wolves and other hostile entities in a livestock pasture, players are strongly recommended to equip Guardian dogs with a wolf collar.
Personal protection dogs, shortened to Protection dogs, are strong, alert guard animals. Unlike hunting dogs, whose job is to be the aggressor, Protection dogs are meant to deter attackers and neutralize them if they continue. Personal protection breeds are large, smart and intimidating, but are social enough to know a passive stranger from a potential threat, and smart enough to reliably call off an attack.
Both historically and in the modern day, people are always at risk in certain places doing certain things. Whether it's from horse-mounted thieves on a mountain road, or from an attacking military in the trenches, people have always needed a smart, obedient and quick-thinking dog to keep them safe. Instead of being indiscriminately aggressive, a good personal protection dog is more of a deterrent than a weapon. Protection dogs should be quiet, well-behaved and amicable to strangers, and have a strong sense of right and wrong so they are never a threat to innocent people or animals.
Many protection breeds look "cool" and "tough," and people buy them without understanding the work that goes into socializing them and teaching them right and wrong. They must constantly be under control of a handler and have good manners when left alone. Badly bred, badly socialized dobermans, rottweilers and German shepherds regularly paint entire breeds in a bad light, and get them banned from places where they could be well-behaved, useful working animals.
Protection breed dogs use a dark blue spawn egg.
As of version 1.0, there is one Protection breed dog.
- German shepherd (Large, Cold/Temperate)
In Working Mode, Protection group dogs loosely follow the player. If the player stays still for too long, they will idly wander within a close range, but stay alert.
Protection-group dogs are "activated" when a hostile mob enters a 16-block radius. They will growl at this stage, and progress to a warning bark at 12 blocks. The warning bark is enough to keep creepers, witches and illagers away, but not enough for other hostiles. Once a hostile creature gets within 10 blocks, a Protection dog will rush it down and attempt to kill it.
All dogs alert through transparent blocks, so if a monster is outside a house, the player can wait for the creature to trigger the Protection dog and send it outside to take care of the threat. Combined with the Go Here command, the player can also deliberately send their dog after entities, even out of range, since the dog will be triggered once it gets near them. If the player attacks an entity, a Protection dog will also back them up and attempt to kill it.
Unlike hunting dogs, Protection dogs do not get a looting bonus on entities they kill. Their purpose is to alert players to and dispatch, hostile mobs that they may have missed. For this reason, if the player is actively hunting hostile entities, it is recommended they use a Hunting dog instead. Players are recommended to use a service vest or hog vest for any Protection dog who could encounter a hostile target, to preserve their health.
Protection-group dogs have a unique ability to jump 1.5 block tall barriers when in pursuit of a target. This means they can clear fences, fence gates, block walls, as well as blocks with a slab on top that may keep other dogs contained.
PLEASE NOTE: In the "Lite" beta version, protection is not-yet FULLY implemented! Protection dogs will currently follow the player, defend the player from attacks, and attack nearby mobs.
Retriever dogs are bred to locate and retrieve hunted game, fishing nets, or drowning people from water. These friendly, amicable, stranger-loving dogs were bred to fill roles where they needed to learn fast and listen well. Retriever dogs also have famously "soft mouths," and enjoy picking things up and carrying them around, even outside of a job.
While sometimes still used in duck hunting, retrievers' love for learning and making new friends makes them amazing multipurpose working dogs. Most dogs used as disability assistance animals are retrievers, as well as lots of therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and crime scene and contraband sniffers. Larger retriever breeds are used in lifeguard rescues, and smaller breeds are trained as trick performers or calm, approachable comfort dogs for school children or hospital patients.
Retriever dogs' easy trainability and eagerness to please means they give good, consistent results in detection work, and they make equally trusty family pets. Some are good starter dogs, or pets for people with young children (but not always pets) who can't handle the trials of training a nore stubborn breed. Retrievers are popular for a reason, and with responsible breeding and basic handling, they're fantastic companion dogs.
Retriever breed dogs use a purple spawn egg.
As of version 1.0, the retriever group goes unused by any dogs.
When in Working Mode, Retriever-group dogs follow the player until they are activated by an object nearby.
Retrievers will run towards dropped items, arrows or tridents, pick them up, and sprint back to the player to drop them. Retriever dogs can go up to 16 blocks away, and can dive up to 8 blocks underwater without drowning, to pick things up for their owner.
If equipped with saddlebags, instead of running items one by one to the player, they will pick up items either until their inventory is full, or they run out of drops to pick up. If their saddlebags inventory is full and needs to be emptied, dogs will return to the player and happy bark.
A Retriever dog with full equipment is one of the most helpful, versatile dogs in the game, especially considering their lack of aggression to distract them from a job. Combined with the Go Here command, players can use a retriever dog to help pick up deforested wood drops, exploded dirt and cobblestone, or mined items that don't fit in their own inventory. They can also salvage arrows from missed shots.
Sled dogs are a work in progress, and currently, none of their behavior is known or functional.
Sled breed dogs use a light blue spawn egg.
As of version 1.0, the sled group goes unused by any dogs.
Terrier dogs are small, tenacious hunting dogs bred to go after aggressive small game. Most terriers were either fox hunting dogs, or pest control farm dogs meant to go after rats and mice. Terriers get their name from their habit of digging and jumping into animal burrows.
Terrier dogs are tough enough to withstand bites to the face, and most are fearless to a fault. Energetic, intelligent and devilishly destructive, they were bred to rip, tear, dig and kill and they never forget it. In times before modern science, we didn't understand the mechanisms of disease, but we did know that rats and mice got into food, and the more rodents there were, the sicker people got. Terriers were bred to squeeze into places people couldn't reach to kill pests, and as they got good at it, to compete in events to find and alert to rats in complicated mazes and courses.
While cute, courageous and bold, terriers are a large dog in a small body. They don't just kill small animals on an owner's command, and tend to attack other pets. Terriers can play too rough with small children and often jump and bite faces. Their stocky legs and small body also don't stop them from digging under or jumping over fences to cause more mayhem. Even terrier breeds usually kept as pets have a stubborn streak, and can be difficult with strangers, vets or groomers. Without a job to do, terriers are truly a terror, and probably aren't the best casual dogs.
Terrier breed dogs use an orange spawn egg.
As of Version 1.0, there is one Terrier breed dog.
- Jack russell terrier (Small, Temperate/Hot)
When in Working Mode, terriers actively seek out hostile entities and rush them down if within range. They do not wait for the player to target a hostile, and will run towards them with no prompt. They will also back the player up on entities they hit, including other players.
Interestingly, terriers are immune to Invisibility and can target mobs and players through it. They are also able to detect silverfish blocks, and will growl before pulling the silverfish out and killing it.
Terrier-group dogs have a unique ability to jump 1.5 block tall barriers when in pursuit of a target. This means they can clear fences, fence gates, block walls, as well as blocks with a slab on top that may keep other dogs contained.
Terrier group dogs can deal high damage in a short period of time, and have a very fast movement speed, but have relatively low HP. If players are using them, it is strongly recommended they equip their dog with a hog vest. If the player is actively pursuing mobs for drops, or looking for backup protection against hostiles, Terrier-group dogs are inferior. They are good for exterminating large groups of mobs, but the lack of a Looting bonus or higher health means they can be a risky choice.
PLEASE NOTE: In the "Lite" beta version, terriers are not-yet FULLY implemented! Terrier dogs will currently attack hostiles and the player's targets.
Toy breed dogs have a vital job: to keep people company. They cannot enter Work Mode or perform tasks, but they can still sit, lay down and play. Toy dogs can be commanded to Come and Go Here.
Since ancient times, some dogs have been bred for the express purpose of keeping people company. Certain breeds of toy dog were used as living hot water bottles, or to alert larger dogs to the presence of an intruder. Ultimately, there are some that were always there to look cute and keep people happy - and that's ok! Part of the benefit of domesticated animals is their ability to bond with people, and bringing comfort to a human after a bad day at school or helping calm strangers after a disaster or during medical treatment is a very important job. Breeds that once had a working history, but are primarily kept as companion dogs, are also considered Toy group.
Toy breed dogs are often maligned, to the point that teasing them or hurting them is often considered funny. No matter how small, dogs are dogs, and they need firm training, personal space, and the ability to set their own boundaries and feel safe. Constantly picking dogs up, touching them when they don't want to be touched, and violating their personal space to get a growl out of them would be considered abuse for a larger animal, but is tolerated and even encouraged for small breeds. Jokes about "satanic" or "evil" toy breeds do nothing but normalize animal cruelty and neglect. If it would be a bad idea to do to a rottweiler, why would you do it to a chihuahua who can't fight back?
Many small companion dog breeds are also bred carelessly, and are prone to health problems when they get too small. Toy breeds often have deformed mouths and teeth, eyes and fragile internal anatomy, made worse by a lack of basic care. It's important for enthusiasts to only buy from a responsible breeder. Remember: despite the name, you are buying a dog, not a toy.
Toy breed dogs use a light pink spawn egg.
As of version 1.0, there is one Toy breed dog.
- Boston terrier (Toy, Temperate)