Aug 04 2008
Great search and rescue breeds
Getting lost in the great outdoors is no picnic, especially in the vast mountain ranges of Tahoe. The following is a list of dog breeds that may save your life. A special thanks to Pet-Super-Store.com for this article. Visit them for deals on dog training collars, GPS dog tracking collars and electronic pet containment for dogs.
Dogs have been used for search and rescue expeditions for many years. Hunting missing persons and assisting law enforcement officers are just two duties of the dogs. They are very intelligent and well-trained; their human counterparts are also well-trained to understand the dog’s communicative behavior. Most search and rescue (SAR) dogs are trailers because of their keen sense of smell. However, there are many breeds used for search and rescue.
We all remember the television show Lassie. Lassie, a breed of collie, could find and rescue anything or anybody. In all actuality, Border Collies are popular herding breeds used in SAR. The Border Collie is often referred to as one of the most intelligent dogs. One thing that makes them such a great SAR dog is the fact that they love working closely with humans and, because of this, are easy to train. The tirelessness and stamina of the Border Collie also adds to its use as a SAR dog.
German Shepherds are very useful dogs. Like the Border Collies, these dogs were originally bred as sheep herders. Now, the dogs are seen performing a number of tasks, including military duties, police duties, seeing-eye dogs, and family companions. Because of their keen sense of smell, the German Shepherd is often used to detect narcotics, seek out cadavers, detect explosives, and SAR. German Shepherds are natural protectors, so they should be socialized early on, if needed. They are extremely intelligent, and they love to work alongside humans.
Retrievers are also used as SAR dogs, because of their desire to work closely with humans. Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers were originally bred as gun dogs. Gun dogs retrieve game that the hunter shoots down. Retrievers are naturally loyal and, with training, highly obedient. Both breeds are widely used as assistance dogs (therapy and seeing-eye dogs), but they can also be SAR dogs, hunting dogs, and scent detection (narcotics, explosives, etc). They are very lovable and friendly, making them perfect family dogs.
Because of their unmatched sense of smell, Bloodhounds are also used as SAR dogs. Bloodhounds can track a scent that is three days old. Because of their sensitive noses, they are very popular hunting dogs, categorized as scent hounds. Bloodhounds are relentless, and will not give up until the object emitting the scent is found. They are also even-tempered, so they make great house pets.
Rottweilers can also be used as SAR dogs; although they are better suited as police dogs. Alertness is the key quality of Rottweilers. Since Rottweilers are naturally dominant, they should be socialized early on. Unlike their negative association, Rottweilers are very lovable and protective dogs if trained properly.
Many breeds can become SAR dogs. There are SAR associations across the United States that will train you and your dog to join their effort, regardless of the breed. The training of the dog must begin at a very early age. Some dogs are trained to track the scent (after smelling an article of clothing or something similar), while other dogs are trained to track. Tracking dogs look for disturbances in their surroundings, such as broken limbs and disturbances in the soil. Because of their extensive training alongside a human companion, SAR dogs make loving and loyal pets.
Handlers are also in constant training. The handler needs to have the stamina to keep up with the dog for up to eight hours at a time. Handlers need the time and effort to provide ongoing training for the dog. Almost always, handlers undergo survival training to be prepared for any type of SAR. It is also a good idea for the handlers to know basic and semi-advanced medical attention procedures.
Search and rescue dogs come in a variety of breeds. With proper training from an early age, almost any breed can learn the tricks of the trade, including tracking by scent and tracking by environment. Handlers of SAR dogs must also go through extensive training with their dog. Desired skills of handlers include medical and survival training. Some of the most popular SAR dogs include Border Collies, German Shepherds, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Bloodhounds, and Rottweilers. The main similarity these breeds exhibit is their willingness and desire to work alongside humans. They are all very intelligent and obedient. Consider these breeds when looking for a pet; they are also great home companions.