Top 10 Search and Rescue Dogs!
What makes a dog breed great at search And rescue operations? If your dog is one of the
breeds on this list, then they are amongst the Best Search and Rescue Dogs out there. Most dogs
have a keen sense of smell compared to us humans, Which makes them extremely good at finding
people without the need for visual keys.
However, some dog breeds are
better at it than others. There is no definitive ranking for this because
different situations call for various skills, But there are some breeds that are just
obvious, while others may surprise you. The best rescue dogs should have a great sense
of smell, be social, have a strong work ethic, Must not be scared by loud noises or
crowds, and need to be easy to train. Our video today showcases 10 breeds that
demonstrate the skills and abilities needed To be the best rescue dogs!
Dog number 1: The Saint Bernard
When you first think of search and rescue dogs,
these gentle giants often come to mind. While they Don't usually have that stereotypical barrel
of brandy on their collars, the St. Bernard Remains the original avalanche rescue dog.
This breed has thick muscles and even thicker Coats that help protect them from the fierce
blizzards common to the region in the alps where They are from. A long time before Beethoven
drooled his way onto the big screen, St. Bernard dogs were already famous for an entirely
different reason: saving lives! This is because, Since the early 18th century, monks lived
in the snowy and dangerous St. Bernard Pass, A pilgrim route through the Alps between Italy
and Switzerland. These monks often kept large Mountain canines to help them undertake
rescue missions after bad snowstorms. Over a span of about 200 years, over 2,000 people,
ranging from lost children to Napoleon's soldiers, Were rescued from avalanches and blizzards thanks
to these heroic dogs' and their uncanny sense of Direction and resistance to cold. They eventually
became an official breed and were named after the Pass and are still bred in a village nearby
today! So if you are ever unfortunate enough To be trapped in a snow drift, you might just
find one of these dogs saving your life!
Dog number 2: The Belgian Shepherd
Although they are often confused with other Breeds, the history of the Belgian sheepdog can
be directly traced back to the Belgian pastures Of the late 19th century. As their name suggests,
these dogs originally helped with herding tasks. But because they are such fast learners and hard
workers, they quickly landed other kinds of jobs During the first decade of the 20th century.
They even served during both World Wars as Messengers, Red Cross dogs, and even defense dogs.
They would often be tasked with carrying canteens Of water and medical supplies to wounded soldiers
and would lead medics to unconscious ones. These dogs are super intelligent and
quick to learn anything you ask of them, And they have plenty of energy to boot. They
are eager to please and highly focused, making
Them the ideal dogs for police work. Slightly
morbidly, they are also used as cadaver dogs, Sniffing out the remains of the recently deceased.
They are also excellent at scenting and finding Explosives, drugs, and even cancer. Yet, Belgian
sheepdogs are most commonly found on many types Of search and rescue teams worldwide.
Dog number 3: The Labrador Retriever This breed is found on pretty every list of
the top dogs for a vast range of activities and Traits. Not only are these pooches good-natured
and friendly, but they are also brave, Intelligent, and can smell a human in need just
as well as they can their favorite treats. The sociability aspect of this breed is what makes
them so suited to the task of search and rescue; They have a way of calming people down with
just their presence which is a good trait To have in any would-be rescuer. With their
excellent temperament, intelligence, and pure Willingness to help, this breed is commonly
used in water rescue and disaster recovery.
In fact, the most famous example of this was all
the Labradores that helped search for survivors After the 9/11 tragedy. So while they may be
goofy family pets, these dogs can also be serious Search and rescue aficionados! Dog number 4: The Border Collie
Famous around the globe for their unmatched sheep
herding skills, the Border Collie also makes a Masterful search and rescue dog. With endless
buckets of energy and an unrelenting work drive, Border Collies are brilliant search and
rescue dogs. They are also incredibly Intelligent and quick-witted dogs, capable of
puzzle-solving and extreme feats of endurance, Making them further suited to the task.
Additionally, this medium-sized breed has A strong, agile body on a lean frame which
enables them to go places many other breeds Simply can't reach, such as when they were
used to help search for survivors beneath The rubble following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
When you need a dog that can think independently And be let off a lead to seek out injured people
in dangerous environments, the Border Collie is The go-to dog. ===
If you are interested in all sorts of dogs
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Dog number 5: The Coonhound
The humble yet courageous Coonhound was first bred
for fox hunting in the colonial period. This is Why they are known as such excellent trackers
capable of following their quarry on land and Up in trees. This scenting ability, combined
with a high level of alertness and paired with Their quick pace, make them brilliant at finding
people. These dogs can easily pick up a specific Scent and follow the trail right to its end. There are several different types of Coonhounds, Yet they are all tremendous scenting dogs
that are built for both endurance and speed;
This breed also has the capability to learn
quickly and follow directions flawlessly. So Whether you've got a Bluetick or a Redbone
Coonhound, you will surely have a great Sniffer on your hands that could make an
excellent search and rescue dog!
Dog number 6: The Newfoundland These dogs are arguably the best swimmers In the canine world and are surprisingly elegant
and acrobatic in the water despite their large Size. "Newfies" are really sweet and gentle
goliaths that were initially bred on their Native Island of Newfoundland. They were named
in 1775 by the trader George Cartwright. These Dogs were bred to work, they were often
used to help haul fishermen's nets and Cart wood through the ports, and even back
then, they served as water rescue dogs. The Newfoundland is renowned for its incredible
strength, unwavering loyalty, and love of all People, particularly children. What's more,
their webbed feet, almost waterproof coat, And astonishing endurance make them unmatched
for water search and rescue operations. A Newfoundland named Bilbo, that lives in
Cornwall, England, even works as a lifeguard that Actively saves swimmers in distress.
Dog number 7: The Springer Spaniel
Originally bred as a hunting dog, this
breed has an excellent nose, is obedient, And is full of boundless energy. This is
why the Springer Spaniel is often seen Donning a jacket in search of people or drugs. Because they were initially bred for hunting, These hounds have endless endurance and
will happily track and search for hours.
They are also smart and easy to train, which is
why you will often see them on the news, working In the background whenever a disaster occurs,
as well as in war zones as bomb-sniffing dogs.
In fact, the International Search And Rescue Team
has even recognized the bravery of a 10-year-old Springer Spaniel named Diesel, who traveled
from the UK to New Zealand in 2011 after a Devastating earthquake struck Christchurch.
Diesel was named the Animal of the Year and Given the accolade at the International Fund
for Animal Welfare awards for all his work During the disaster. Dog number 8: The German Shepherd
Initially bred to be a working dog for herding
sheep, the versatile German Shepherd has become a Staple in modern search and rescue. They are often
deployed as the K9 unit of the police force and Used for protection and detection in the military.
The German Shepherd is both brave and fiercely Loyal, and their intelligence and physical prowess
allow them to be exemplary urban search and rescue Dogs. Commonly deployed for cadaver searches,
many German Shepherds were on ground zero on 9/11. Two famous German Shepherd search and rescue
dogs that helped recover bodies were Appollo and Tracker. The German Shepherd may not have as
many smell sensors as the hounds and hunters, But they can still quickly scent out a victim and
have been working with the military and police For centuries, so they know how to follow
directions perfectly. Their adaptability,
Physical prowess, and amazing work ethic are what
make these dogs such outstanding search and rescue Canines. ===
What breed of dog do you think is
the best at Search and Rescue? Let us know in the comments and share
your thoughts with other enthusiasts!
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Dog number 9: The Beagle The smallest of the hound-type dogs, the Beagle,
is even shorter than a Basset hound yet has just As many scent receptors and is generally
more agile. This brave pooch is instantly Recognizable and has many talents as a working
dog, including in drug detection. They actually Have a 90% success rate in detecting contraband,
so you know their noses are fantastic. One of the Reasons they do so great in search and rescue
is because of their desire to please and their Endurance. The Beagle is able to track and locate
missing people while covering miles of ground. It Was a Beagle that found a person trapped under
rubble for 100 hours in the Haiti earthquake Disaster of 2010. Beagles also have a unique
howling bark that's audible over long distances, Making it easier for human search teams
to zone in on a location when a survivor Is found. They may not have the strength of a
Saint Bernard or the brains of a Border Collie, But they are undoubtedly one of the best
search and rescue dogs in the world.
Dog number 10: The Bloodhound In terms of their natural-born talent, The Bloodhound is always on top. They
have the most scent receptors of any dog, With over 300 million packed into their snouts;
that's 50 million more than the next best sniffer! While related to the Basset hound, they are built
for scenting with a long head, big nostrils, And long ears to scoop up the scents. In addition,
they are loyal, intelligent, and easy to train, As well as persistent with energy that lasts for
days. These long-faced dogs have actually been Used to track people since the Middle Ages!
So it's really no surprise that they make Absolutely incredible search and rescue dogs.
These friendly and affectionate dogs are always Willing to follow a scent, no matter how many
miles it covers. They are amazingly effective At sniffing out missing people, drugs, and
even corpses. A Bloodhound named Inspector Gadget is a well-known and very seasoned search
and rescue dog that has been awarded the American Kennel Club Humane Funds Award for all his
work. He has been deployed dozens of times In the past decade, assisting in locating
missing persons all across the Southwest.
So if you ever find yourself
lost or in a dangerous situation, Just know there are plenty of amazing dogs
out there ready to help find and rescue you!
