It is universally recognized and a fact that dogs are among the most loyal friends of humans. Their dedication and love towards us are so deep and rooted that they wouldn’t hesitate to face danger to protect our lives. Among all furry companions, there is a very special category, composed of “heroes,” though even calling them that might not do them justice. They are rescue dogs, specifically trained animals who respond with courage and determination in emergency situations involving humans.
April 28 marks World Rescue Dog Day, so why not learn more about our brave four-legged rescue friends?
Brave, curious, and attentive: they are rescue dogs.
Rescue dogs do not only rely on their natural instincts but act with precision and control, in extreme contexts, following specific commands, becoming silent heroes capable of making a difference in safeguarding our lives. The training of rescue dogs is a long and demanding process that requires not only a natural predisposition in the dog’s character but also a close collaboration with their handler. Together, they prepare to face challenges and complexities, building a bond that goes beyond the natural relationship of love that can arise between a human and his pet.
A specific role for every rescue dog
Every rescue dog is a living symbol of dedication and commitment, a proof of extraordinary power that can arise from the special “human-dog” bond. Their presence and work are a source of inspiration, astonishing us daily with their courage and unconditional love, for which we can only be grateful.
It’s important to know that rescue dogs stand out in a wide range of rescue operations. Each dog, in fact, is trained to be specialized in a particular discipline. But what are these disciplines today? Let’s find out.
Alpine rescue dogs (avalanches or surface)
The alpine rescue dog, distinguished as avalanche or surface rescue dogs, is trained to play a decisive role in locating people buried under the snow following an avalanche. The training of these small and incredibly brave heroes is highly focused on enhancing their olfactory abilities, enabling them to detect human scents beneath significant layers of snow.
These dogs are accustomed to working calmly and focused under highly extreme conditions, such as freezing temperatures and unstable terrains. The work performed by these fantastic animals alongside alpine rescue personnel is truly essential and invaluable throughout the year, but especially during winter, when such emergencies are unfortunately more frequent.
The breeds most suited for alpine rescue include the Gray German Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois, and the Saint Bernard.
Snow does not affect the perfect sense of smell of mountain rescue dogs.
Rescue dogs in rubble
The rubble rescue dog plays a crucial role in search and rescue operations following natural or man-made disasters, events that can unfortunately threaten many human lives, such as earthquakes, collapses, or explosions that compromise building structures. These furry heroes are specifically trained to locate people buried under rubble, often in extremely dangerous and unstable conditions.
The training of these little heroes aims to develop the dog’s olfactory and cognitive abilities, enabling them to locate trapped individuals as quickly as possible.
Thanks to these dogs, search times are significantly reduced, thereby increasing the likelihood of saving many lives. These four-legged hearts are an invaluable resource for rescue teams, who can rely on a very special “colleague” with senses far more advanced than those of humans, making them highly skilled and predisposed to search missions. In fact, these rescue dogs can detect smells up to 100,000 times better than us, perceive sound waves up to 40,000 hertz, and hear between 35-40 thousand vibrations per second… we can truly say they are heroes, or rather, indispensable superheroes for saving human lives.
The most suitable rubble rescue dogs include the German Shepherd, the Border Collie, and the Maremma Sheepdog.
Even in the most critical emergencies, rescue dogs know how to navigate through the rubble.
Rescue dogs in water
The water rescue dog is an exceptional companion in aquatic rescue operations. Specifically, these rescue dogs are trained to assist people in cases of drowning risk and water rescue, whether at a lake or in the open sea.
The training of a water rescue dog is highly specialized and aims to develop the dog’s swimming abilities, endurance, obedience, and rescue instinct. These champions must be able to swim long distances, face strong currents, and act decisively even in emergency situations.
To become a lifeguard dog, some important requirements are necessary, such as weighing more than 20kg to have the strength to carry and save the person being rescued, an excellent relationship with water, and a sufficiently long coat or thick undercoat to protect against the cold. These dogs are often also trained to retrieve objects or rescue devices, such as ropes or lifebuoys, to facilitate the rescue operation. This is why their dedication and courage make them invaluable allies in sea, river, and lake rescue operations. To provide a statistical perspective on their importance in water rescue operations, lifeguard dogs in Italy save an average of 35 lives every year!
The ultimate rescue dogs are the Golden Retriever, Labrador, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, and many other dogs with similar size and characteristics.
Water rescue dogs are tireless swimmers, nevermind the type of water.
The most common rescue dog breeds
As we mentioned earlier, all dogs can be trained for rescue activities, although some breeds are born with particular traits, abilities that, when properly managed, can lead to significant results in emergency operations.
Strength, endurance, sharpness, and listening ability are the main characteristics of a rescue dog. And which breeds are endowed with all these traits? Here are a few examples.
German Shepherd and Belgian Shepherd
The German Shepherd and the Belgian Shepherd are among the most versatile and popular breeds when it comes to working dogs. Given their intelligence, courage, and endurance, we can say they are the perfect breed for rescue work. Among the images that most of us probably have in mind, there’s the image of the super Inspector Rex, the police dog solving cases and performing skill tests.
Not only in movies or TV shows, but also in real life! Police canine units often choose these breeds to have a truly infallible companion when it comes to ensuring safety in emergency situations.
The most well-known rescue dog: the police dog!
Labrador and Golden Retriever
Labradors and Golden Retrievers share many similar characteristics. They are known for their excellent sense of smell and their gentle, friendly, and reliable nature, in addition to having tireless strength and a body that can support weight, as well as long fur or thick undercoat to withstand the elements. Furthermore, they are true lovers of swimming. So, what better role for them than that of a water rescue dog?
An example of a deep service water rescue dog is the sweet Mira, a cream-colored Labrador from the Italian School of Coastal Rescue Dogs. The four-legged hero, who passed away recently, saved many lives during her career, with at least 11 rescue operations that required her help. But the most remarkable one took place in the summer of 2021 in Sperlonga (Latina), where she rescued three families, including 14 adults and 8 children.
Thank you Mira for your courage and kindness, we will always be grateful for your selflessness… goodbye!
Water emergency? The Golden Retriever is here to help!
Border Collie
This breed is renowned for his incredible intelligence, energy, and obedience. It is no surprise, then, that Border Collies are considered working dogs in various fields, from herding to rescue operations, which highlight their natural rescue dog qualities. They are often used for searching for missing persons and rescue operations in challenging environments, thanks to their highly developed sense of smell and agility.
Great attention to detail and excellent listening skills. The Border Collie is perfect for rescue operations.
Saint Bernard
Large size, great resistance to cold, and… a barrel around the neck!
The Saint Bernard is the quintessential dog for alpine rescue operations, hisideal habitat, where he moves confidently and without fear of low temperatures. His characteristics make himideal for performing the role of a rescue dog specialized in searching for people in the snow after phenomena like avalanches.
If you want to discover which other breeds are more suitable for mountain environments and cold temperatures, read this article!
The Saint Bernard is the quintessential mountain dog.
How to train rescue dogs
Training rescue dogs is a complex process that requires time and a lot of dedication.
In fact, training involves not only the dog but also his handler, with whom the dog must establish a relationship of extreme trust and collaboration. Both must learn to think and act as one, a united, competent, and harmonious team.
That’s why rescue dog training is a dynamic that must be approached with passion, determination, and above all, a lot of awareness.
But how does a dog become a rescue dog? Here are some initial tips, although we always recommend contacting local agencies like the Civil Protection for more detailed information on the subject.
Basic training for rescue dogs
Educating a rescue dog requires specific attention. Many schools in Italy specialize in this type of training. The first step is to ensure that your dog is in perfect health. A check-up with the veterinarian will reveal the dog’s well-being. It is crucial to understand whether your dog has the suitability and the character to become a rescue dog.
Having a clear idea from day one is important: embarking on this path requires commitment and dedication from us, but also curiosity and interest from our dog. Some breeds, as we now know, are better suited than others, but what we can do is assess our dog’s actual interest in this kind of activity, ensuring they enjoy it.
Choosing the right school is another crucial step, such as an association coordinated by the UCS (Unità Cinofila di Soccorso, that is to say the Canine Rescue Unit), which offers training programs starting from as early as 5 months of age, to enter the civil protection system.
Our dog must have a solid basic education, involving their relationship with their pet-mate, basic commands, but also socialization with strangers and other dogs, as well as being accustomed to physical activities that include obstacles and jumps. An idea to start building a strong and lasting relationship from the first months of life could be attending a Puppy Class, starting from 3 months of age.
Rescue dog training can start as early as 4-5 months of age.
Specific training for rescue dogs
Depending on the type of path you plan to follow with your dog, there will be specific courses that will focus on peculiar activities, such as searching in rubble, snow, or water.
For example, rubble search training will be approached with gradually increasing levels of difficulty. From simple mental stimulation games to real simulations of searching through building remains, rocks, and other materials.
The length of the training process can depend on several factors, such as the trust bond with our four-legged friend, their abilities, commitment, and consistency.
Simulating real-life situations is crucial for rescue dog training.
Acquiring the rescue dog certificate
Once the dog has completed the training course and acquired the necessary skills to perform rescue operations, it is time to earn the certificate that confirms their rescue abilities.
We’re almost there. One last exam, and then it will be a real rescue dog!
The bond between handler and rescue dog
One of the most surprising aspects of rescue dogs is the special bond that develops between them and their handler.
This partnership goes beyond the simple relationship between a dog and his pet-mate. Handlers and their dogs work together as a coordinated team, fully trusting each other and facing the extreme challenges they encounter every day.
Handlers play a crucial role in guiding and supporting their trusted companions during search and rescue operations, interpreting the dog’s signals and giving clear and precise instructions.
The strong bond between handler and dog is everything.
In return, rescue dogs respond with passion and sacrifice, using their skills to locate people in distress and provide them with valuable assistance that often saves their lives.
Rescue dogs are true four-legged heroes who work tirelessly with devotion to help humans in the most difficult situations. Their role in rescue operations is irreplaceable, and their dedication and expertise are a tribute to the extraordinary intelligence and the unique bond between humans and dogs!
How many lives have been saved today thanks to these little big heroes, and how many more will have the luck of being saved from danger… Thank you, little four-legged hearts!
Article written with the consultancy of Chiara Festelli, Dog Trainer.
