Working Dogs Honoured by Commemorative Stamp Collection
Royal Mail will pay tribute to man’s best friend on 5 February with six stamps showing working dogs in action.
Fighting crime, saving lives and simply making everyday tasks a little easier are just some of the vital roles performed by thousands of the UK’s working dogs.
This week Max, a German Shepherd Police dog, launched the Royal Mail Working Dogs Special Stamps, on the Millennium Bridge in the City of London.
Max and other highly trained police dogs provide an invaluable service to the City of London. Max and his canine colleagues protect citizens and businesses throughout the capital’s financial district 365 days a year, helping to apprehend criminals, uncover evidence and keep unruly crowds under control.
This is the first time a set of special stamps has been devoted entirely to these highly trained dogs, with the issue celebrating two important events; 2008 is the Year of the Assistance Dog, and also marks 100 years since the first British police dogs walked their beat at Hull Docks.
Working Dogs are invaluable to their handlers and owners. With highly skilled training they are used in a variety of essential tasks such as assisting with mobility problems, raising alarms, tracking, chasing, thwarting smugglers and pin-pointing lost or injured people.
Julietta Edgar, Head of Special Stamps, Royal Mail, said: “It’s easy to forget that there’s a ‘secret army’ of thousands of hardworking dogs who make a real difference to many lives.
“I hope that this issue will help raise the profile of their important work as customers see the dogs on millions of letters and parcels every day.”
Dog by Dog – A Quick Guide1st Class – Assistance Dog
These dogs are specially trained to raise the alarm and help with a range of everyday tasks. Tasks include opening and closing doors, switching on lights, retrieving slippers or keys, helping someone dress and undress, and even taking the laundry out of the washing machine.
Typical breeds: Golden Retriever, Labrador and German Shepherd.
The dog shown on the stamp is a Golden Retriever called Rowan.
46p – Mountain Rescue Dog
The intrepid Search and Rescue Dogs Association was set up by Scottish mountaineer Hamish McInnes in the 1960s. It trains dogs to ‘air scent’ – picking up a human scent blown towards them by the wind or air currents.
Typical breeds: German Shepherd, Border Collie, Golden or Labrador Retriever.
The dog shown on the stamp is a Cross-Bred called Merrick.
48p – Police Dog
Today several hundred highly-trained animals provide valuable canine support to police forces up and down the country, helping to apprehend criminals, uncover evidence, keep unruly crowds under control, as well as sniff out explosives and drugs.
Typical breeds: German Shepherd, Labrador and Springer Spaniel.
The dog shown on the stamp is a German Shepherd called Max.
54p – Customs Dog
It takes around three months of intensive ‘hide and seek’-based training until a customs dog has the nose and expertise to uncover anything from hidden contraband and banknotes to illegal immigrants.
Typical breeds: Labrador, Springer Spaniel, Border Collie, and some cross-breeds.
The dog shown on the stamp is a Springer Spaniel called Max.
69p – Sheepdog
The sheepdog has become synonymous with the familiar black-and-white Border Collie. With a fierce intelligence and steely glint in their eye, they’re capable of herding sheep, cattle, poultry, deer and ostrich.
Typical breeds: Border Collie.
The dog shown on the stamp is a Border Collie called Bob.
78p – Guide Dogs
Dogs have led the blind since Roman times, though the modern guide dog programme was introduced in Germany for veterans who lost their sight during WWI. There are some 4,600 guide dogs in the UK, provided by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
Typical breeds: Golden Retriever, Labrador and German Shepherd.
The dog shown on the stamp is a Yellow Labrador called Warwick.
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