By domesticating dogs many centuries ago, humanity gained not only a good friend and loyal companion, but also an assistant in emergency situations. Their innate instincts and heightened senses make search and rescue operations more successful and productive. Let's look at six dog breeds that have excelled in service.
Labrador
The breed was originally developed to assist people with hunting and fishing. Over time, their trainability and tireless passion for searching made the Labrador an excellent guide dog and rescuer. The ability to calmly respond to inappropriate human behavior, which sometimes manifests itself in stressful situations, is essential for a rescuer. Good-natured retrievers are excellent at this, and they are known for their compassion.
From puppyhood, puppies are trained to search for strangers in different areas and work without being distracted by outside noise. They pull victims from under the rubble of earthquakes and avalanches, and rescue drowning people.
Through extensive training, Labradors learn to pull boats and overcome their innate fear of heights. A parachute jump is the ultimate test of skill.
In more peaceful times, truffles are excellent finds.
Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are also known as "water dogs," and for good reason. They are excellent water rescuers. They are helped to excel by:
- water-repellent undercoat that provides warmth in icy conditions;
- webbed feet, making them excellent swimmers;
- the position of the eyes and ears, which makes dogs good divers;
- a genetically determined desire to get everything out of the water;
- lightning-fast response to the need for help.
The endurance and strength of these black-furred beauties allows them to tow boats carrying people weighing up to 600 kg. These giants can easily remain in the water for several hours, covering vast distances.
"Divers" have a highly developed intuition. Their sense of impending danger and ability to independently choose their actions make them indispensable assistants in difficult situations.
Friendly Newfoundlands are quite trainable, but they require patience and persistence; they will learn to obey by the age of two.
St. Bernard
These brooding, heavy-set dogs with a melancholic gaze are native to the Swiss Alps. They have long been used to search for travelers caught in avalanches. St. Bernards have an excellent sense of smell and can locate people buried deep in rubble, as well as predict future landslides.
The dogs are trained to recognize that loud noises in the mountains provoke new encounters, and they bark only when absolutely necessary. Excellent navigation in unfamiliar terrain allows them to find their way home without any problem.
Thanks to their thick fur, mountain helpers can withstand severe frosts and can warm those they rescue. They lie down nearby and wait for the rescuers to arrive.
Animals need to be trained from puppyhood; over time, they lose their ability to learn. Only reward-based methods are used. Punishments discourage them from following commands. Kind and loyal, they enjoy companionship and long walks, but excessive exercise will not bring any benefit.
German shepherd
"Universal soldiers" in service to humanity. These intelligent creatures easily perform the roles of security guard, customs officer, search and rescue team. The ability to concentrate on a task is a hallmark of the breed. If someone is in trouble, German Shepherds rush to the rescue, even at the expense of their own safety. And no obstacle can stop them.
They perform exceptionally well in the mountains and during earthquakes. They have an incredible sense of smell and can quickly locate people buried under piles of rubble. Their strength and endurance allow them to retrieve and drag victims from hard-to-reach places for extended periods.
German Shepherds respect and accept their owner's authority, obeying all commands without question. They are intelligent and playful, and with proper training, they grow up to be obedient and calm pets.
Doberman
Their remarkable alertness and lightning-fast execution of tasks make Dobermans valuable police and rescue dogs. These muscular dogs have a human-like mind, each with their own independent personality. They distinguish between good and bad, analyze events, and make independent decisions.
This energetic and agile dog navigates emergency situations with precision. Its determination and keen sense of smell help it locate lost objects and people in distress.
A Doberman is a lifelong learner and never forgets what he's learned. He follows his owner's commands faithfully, ignoring strangers. His natural, hyper-cautious nature makes him wary of anyone outside his family. This super-protective dog will surely rescue his owner in any emergency.
Leonberger
A cross between a St. Bernard and a Newfoundland, the Leonberger inherits the best qualities of its ancestors. Its versatile skills allow this handsome dog to be used in a variety of rescue operations:
- genetic membranes on the phalanges and waterproof fur make them good swimmers, which gives them the right to participate in water operations;
- innate search engines, thanks to their keen sense of smell, are able to find tourists lost in the forest or mountains;
- They are resilient and patient. They react calmly to loud noises and sudden sounds, which is important when clearing rubble;
- Mild phlegmatic people are nevertheless good watchmen, monitoring everyone entering the territory.
A natural sluggishness in training requires increased persistence. A Leonberger will think before obeying a command. He responds better to a change in tone than a direct order. But he obeys his owner out of a desire to please.
Rescue dogs help people in times of peace and war. They have saved thousands of lives. These four-legged heroes are rightfully awarded medals, and monuments and memorial plaques are erected in their honor. Their heroic deeds must not be forgotten.
