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Search and Rescue Dogs:
A Little History and Info
Search and rescue dogs haven't only recently popped up in the workforce. They have been around since as far back as AD 962. Humans quickly learned that their furry friends were very useful in rescuing people, both on land and in water.
The St. Bernards were first used as search and rescue dogs by the monks in the mountain passes between Switzerland and Italy. They found that their dogs could quickly find buried travelers beneath drifts of snow.
The dogs would often find victims on their own, and lay down over top of them to keep them warm, while barking for aid. The small barrel around the St. Bernard's neck that is seen on pictures held food and a stimulant.
Today, dogs are still employed by mountain rescue organizations, as the dogs' keen sense of smell, ability to dig victims out of deep snow, and ability to travel over difficult terrain are unmatched by any human efforts.
But what about in water? Canada's very own breed, the Newfoundland, has always seemed to naturally enjoy saving humans from water. A breed known for its perseverance, the Newf is definitely a "gentle giant". Although large and having a heavy coat, it can swim amazingly well because of its webbed feet.
There are other situations where search and rescue dogs are employed full-time. Many police forces and other rescue organizations around the world train dogs for rescuing people, and also for finding bodies (cadaver dogs). Most often, these dogs are trained for several purposes, including drug and bomb detection, firearms, currency and agriculture products (i.e. at airports, harbors, highway, rail and postal services) as well as human scent.
A wonderful not-for-profit organization in North America that is constantly training search dog and handler teams and aiding in rescue work throughout the continent is the North American Search Dog Network. They offer training seminars, evaluations and networking across Canada and the U.S.
What breeds are most often used? Many different types, but the most common dogs used for this type of work are German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retrievers, and other retrievers. Their intelligence, size, stamina and persistence are all factors that play into whether or not they will make a good rescue dog.
Man's best friend may well have gotten its nick name from their eagerness to come to our rescue. With so many disasters happening world-wide, we are very fortunate to have this wonderful animal so ready and willing to help us!
Photo Courtesy of the American Rescue Dog Association
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