9 Best Search and Rescue Dog Breeds
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Dogs are commonly called “man’s best friend,” and many of the best examples of how deep their companionship and loyalty can go are during search and rescue missions. There are several situations in which dogs are tasked with finding and rescuing injured or endangered people.1
Various different breeds are used most commonly in these types of missions, mainly due to their heightened sense of smell and abundant loyalty to their owners. Here, we discuss the dogs that are commonly relied upon for search and rescue work.
The 9 Best Search and Rescue Dog Breeds
1. Bloodhound
First on our list is the Bloodhound. This breed is well-known in the canine world for having the best sense of smell, and they genuinely have better equipment! Their long snout, wide-open nostrils, and the highest scent sensor count of any dog make them the greatest sniffer out there. They are also loyal, highly trainable, and remarkably intelligent: the perfect combo for a search and rescue breed!
2. Basset Hound
It’s no surprise that hounds, which are known for their keen sense of smell, make this list. Basset Hounds have nearly as many scent sensors as Bloodhounds, but their small size makes them ideal for getting into tight spaces. Just like the Bloodhound, the Basset Hound is intelligent and loyal and takes well to training. These pups could sniff out a victim or human in need from long distances, so they’re excellent search and rescue dogs.
3. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are known to be gentle giants, and their love of humans and undying companionship make them some of the best comfort dogs for those being rescued. They’re often recognized as rescue dogs used after avalanches, and they’re rumored to be able to smell a human trapped under massive amounts of snow and ice. They’re incredibly loyal and very trainable, and they often work in pairs: one dog to stay with a trapped victim to keep them warm and the other to go back to alert their trainers.
4. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are among the most commonly used breeds by law enforcement, and their popularity for police work is due in large part to their unprecedented loyalty and ability to learn. German Shepherds also have a great sense of smell, but it’s their willingness to obey and follow directions that allow them to excel in search and rescue missions.
5. Labrador Retriever
Labs are most often regarded as one of the best companion breeds, but their keen sense of smell, undying loyalty, and affinity for training also make them perfect for search and rescue missions. Their adept sniffers also make them good candidates for bomb and drug sniffing for the police force, and some agencies prefer them over German Shepherds, as they look far less threatening.
6. Coonhound
Another hound on this list, the Coonhound was bred for hunting and tracking, so their elevated sense of smell has been selected for over many generations. These dogs are small and agile, and they can run for what seems like an eternity, so they’re well equipped for just about any condition or length of searching that goes into a search and rescue mission.
7. Beagle
Beagles are actually a hound breed, and they’re the smallest of the pack. Their height and small stature mean they excel at accessing small areas, so they’re perfect for search and rescue missions that require tight maneuvering. They have high endurance and enjoy putting hours upon hours into their work, and they’re highly trainable and adaptable to an array of search and rescue tasks.
8. Belgian Malinois
Although they’re not as popular with law enforcement as German Shepherds, the Belgian Malinois also excels at scent recognition and searching. They’re trainable and eager to learn, and they tend to be smaller than German Shepherds, so they’re a bit more adaptable to different search and rescue conditions.
- Related Read: How to Become a Search and Rescue Dog Handler
9. Border Collie
Although Border Collies aren’t as popular for search and rescue missions as other dogs due to their less sensitive noses, they are among the most trainable dogs globally, so they still have a role in such missions. Border Collies are believed to be the most intelligent dogs, so they can learn a wide array of skills and rescue techniques quickly and efficiently. They also have a strong work ethic, which means they won’t quit when the going gets tough!
Conclusion
It’s rather endearing to see dogs going above and beyond to help and care for humans, and breeds used in search and rescue missions are among the most impressive. Their heightened sense of smell and willingness to go to work when their owners need it most make these dog breeds ideal candidates for search and rescue.
- You might be interested: What Are Search and Rescue Dogs?
Featured Image Credit: hxdbzxy, Shutterstock
