UK working dogs give lick
of approval to new stamps

Endal was an early customer for the working dog stamps, and especially favours the ones representing assistance dogs.

Recently 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 hard-working 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.” The stamps are:

• 1st First class inland letter rate - Assistance dog
• 46p World wide basic rate - Mountain rescue dog
• 48p European standard rate - Police dog
• 54p Basic airmail rate up to 10gm - Customs dog
• 69p Europe up to 60gm - Sheepdog
• 78p Rest of World airmail up to 20gm - Guide dog

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.

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 crossbred called Merrick.

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.

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 crossbreeds. The dog shown on the stamp is a springer spaniel called Max.

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. The dog shown on the stamp is a Border collie called Bob.

Guide dog
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 4600 guide dogs in the UK, provided by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Typical breeds: golden retriever, Labrador retriever and German shepherd. The dog shown on the stamp is a yellow Labrador called Warwick.