The dragon's job is to burn a alien parasite that devours everything, called Thread, from the skies of Pern anytime, the Red Star appears (250 Turn {or Pernese year}, Thread can reach the planet Pern for about 50 Turns).
Gold Dragons, usually have the job of breeding, but are also known to carry their flamethrower holding rider through a threadfall, to burn thread that escaped the grasp of the male and green female dragons.
Dragons are also used for instant transportation, by method of traveling "Between" Space and Time.
Dragons were created to fight Thread when it Fell because of the Red Star.
Babes
Anne Mccaffrey has written: 'The girl who heard dragons' -- subject(s): American Science fiction, Pern (Imaginary place), Life on other planets, Space colonies, Fiction, Dragons
You might be thinking of such stories as 'The Dragon Riders of Pern' where there is a close relationship between humans and Dragons. These are fictional stories. The truth of the matter is, Dragons are solitary creatures who's interactions with Humans are mostly of the abrasive sort. Any interactions people have had with hatchling dragons have been short lived and not entirely pleasent.
The Skies of Pern was created in 2002.
Saint-Pern's population is 956.
Pern Aivas is a computer system that helps the people of Pern rediscover lost technology and knowledge, leading to significant advancements in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, and transportation.
The Skies of Pern has 434 pages.
The Renegades of Pern was created in 1989-10.
The Renegades of Pern has 384 pages.
The Atlas of Pern was created in 1984-11.
The Masterharper of Pern has 431 pages.