A
working animal is an animal that is kept by humans and trained to perform tasks. They may be close members of the family, such as
guide dogs, or
semi-domesticated animals such as logging elephants. They may also be used for milk, or at the end of their lives for meat or other products such as
leather.
The history of working animals may predate agriculture, with dogs used by our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Around the world, millions of animals work in relationship with their owners. Domesticated species are often bred to be suitable for different uses and conditions, especially horses and working dogs. Working animals are usually raised on farms although some are still captured from the wild, such as dolphins and some Asian elephants.
A draught or draft animal is an animal used for its physical (i.e. muscular) power, as in transport and haulage, such as pulling carts or sleds, ploughing fields and hauling goods. Animals are also used for animal-powered transport, for movement of people and goods. People ride some animals directly as mounts, use them as pack animals to carry goods, or harness one or a team to pull vehicles. Such animals are sometimes known as beasts of burden.
They include equines such as horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules; elephants; ostriches[citation needed]; and camels. Dromedaries (with one hump) live in arid areas of Australia, North Africa and the Middle East; the far rarer Bactrian camel inhabits central and East Asia; both are used for transportation and haulage.
