Delivery Dog
Delivery dogs are a breed of relatively large, swift, intelligent, and hardy dogs used to deliver small packages between known individuals and known locations. Delivery dogs can be trained to deliver packages between up to ten or fifteen known persons on command and are even able to track down and find the person that should receive the package when given a general location. For example, a Delivery dog would be able to independently deliver a package when told, "deliver this to King Einar Tachibana Larssen in Citadel Larssen," if the dog had been previously trained who the King is and where Citadel Larssen is, even from hundreds of miles away, and no one would be able to take the package from the dog other than the King himself.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Delivery dogs resemble a cross between a German Shepherd dog and a Golden or Labrador Retriever. They have a thick, fairly coarse, double coat, varying from nearly white to a dark, coppery color. Some have patches of black or brown in their coats. Their ears are large and upright. They have a long, thick tail with significant feathering. Their paws are large, with webbing between their toes, adapted for swimming and rough terrain.
They are very robust and strong dogs. Males weigh between 90 and 120 lbs. (41 and 55 kg) and stand around 30 inches (76 cm) tall at the shoulder. They are well adapted to moderate and cool climates, but may suffer from heat exhaustion when it is very hot. Some variations of the breed have significantly shorter fur and longer ears, which makes them better suited to hotter climates.
Genetics and Reproduction
Delivery dog genetics and reproduction is typical of other breeds of dogs.
Growth Rate & Stages
From birth, Delivery dogs are fully grown in about a year, and fully mature in about two years.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The diet of Delivery dogs is typical of other dogs. They are omnivorous, but favor a meat-based diet.
Behaviour
Delivery dogs are highly intelligent, usually friendly but serious, confident, and loyal. They are able to learn as many as 300 to 400 words. They are not usually very territorial, but they can be trained as guard dogs. Their primary purpose, however, is to carry small packages and messages weighing up to 20 lbs (10 kg), delivering them to the person or place they are commanded. Once trained, they can deliver packages to specific people or locations across distances of over 100 miles (161 km) swiftly and independently. Able to run at speeds of over 15 miles per hour (24 kph) for hours and over 35 miles per hour (56 kph) in sprints, a Delivery dog can deliver a package over a distance of 100 miles (161 km) in about 6 hours. They are also trained not to be distracted while carrying a package, and they are protective of the packages they carry. Attempting to take a package from a Delivery dog is highly dangerous, as they will definitely viciously attack and bite anyone that does so, if unable to run away first.
Additional Information
Average Intelligence
Delivery dogs are highly intelligent, able to recognize themselves in a mirror and learn 300 to 400 words. They are able to work out how to get around obstacles and find their way through complex city and natural environments. In situations where help is needed (like an injury or being trapped), they are able to approach strangers they can sense are friendly, and through their behavior, make it known that they need help.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Delivery dogs have good vision, excellent hearing, an almost unsurpassed sense of smell, and an excellent sense of direction. Based on their vision and senses of smell and direction, once they are familiarized with a place, Delivery dogs are able to find their way back to that place unerringly, even from hundreds of miles away. They are also able to track and find individuals from miles away.
by Peter Nelson (Zero Sum Games)
A typical Delivery Dog
Scientific Name
Canis familiaris
Origin/Ancestry
Domestic dogs are descended from wolves.
Lifespan
Delivery dogs are usually able to carry packages and messages over long distances until they are about 8 years old. After that, they being to slow down, so are used to deliver over shorter distances. They usually live to about 12 or 14 years of age.
Average Height
30 inches (76 cm)
Average Weight
100 lbs (45 kg)
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