Search and Rescue Dogs
Search and rescue dogs are members of a hard-working team. Whenever and wherever there is any sort of disaster, man-made or natural, or a lost or missing person, the search and rescue teams are called in. The dogs' sense of smell, which is far greater and more discerning than ours, and their willingness and ability to go places where humans cannot, make them ideal for this kind of "work". There are quotes around the word work because to the dogs, this is a game. Finding a victim brings a reward. Their happy and playful reaction to achieving their goal often must be subdued in deference to grief.

The Dogs
Many breeds are used for search and rescue. These are some of the more commonly used breeds:

Different breeds have different skills and different levels of endurance. Commonly, search and rescue organizations have a mix of breeds in their group. However, the type of dog isn't as important as the attitude. The dog must have a strong play drive and enjoy working for treats. During training exercises, the dogs are rewarded with treats when they locate an acting victim.

The Training
The handlers are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid. They learn how to properly work with an injured person, and how to maintain a crime scene. If they will be working in wilderness areas, they are trained in survival skills, how to read topographical maps and use communication equipment, and they become proficient in using a compass and a Global Positioning Satellite system. The handler and the dog will train together so the handler can learn how the dog will "alert" (tell the handler they have found something). The handlers also need to learn their dog's signal for when it is confused or unsure, or when it is tired. As mentioned earlier, this is a game to the dogs. They find things, they get rewards. Search work has to be fun for the dogs or they won't do it.

The dogs are trained to follow the scent in different terrains and weather conditions. They are even trained to find a scent in water. Their skills are sharpened through regular training sessions and daily work with their handler at home. There are six divisions in scent training. Many dogs are cross-trained in more than one task.

1. Air scent dogs work off leash and search a given area. The area must be cleared of all other humans. These dogs work with their heads up, searching the air currents for a scent. This search is non-scent discriminating; anyone in the area will be found. The handler allows the dog to control the search pattern. When the dog finds the victim it will return to the handler and lead him/her back to the victim.
2. Trailing dogs work on leash with the handler following. These dogs are given a scent article such as a piece of the victim's clothing or a pillowcase or sheet. This item must be uncontaminated by the scents of other humans. They work with their noses to the ground to find the scent. Ideally, the dog will work from the point at which the victim was last seen. The trailing dog leads the handler as they follow the scent.
3. Tracking dogs follow the path of the freshest scent. This is most effective when there is no scent article available. The dog that is trained to follow the freshest scent would have difficulty tracking in an area that has been "contaminated" by other humans.
4. Disaster dogs are trained to find human scent in a very unnatural environment, such as collapsed buildings and areas affected by tornadoes and earthquakes. This is also non-scent discriminating. These dogs will "alert" on any human scent. They do extra training on unstable footing and in small confined spaces.
5. Cadaver dogs are trained to "alert" on dead human tissue. These dogs are usually trained for above ground and buried cadavers.
6. Water recovery dogs are trained to detect human scent in the water. The dog and handler work in a boat and there often are three teams searching. This helps to narrow down the dive area for recovery of the victim.

(Note - Our thanks to Jim Hopewell, a handler with the Ohio K9 Search Team, for his assistance in putting this article together. Visit their website at www.ohiok9.org.)

The Labrador Retriever
Registration records from the American Kennel Club for 2003 show the most popular breed by far is the Labrador Retriever. There are more than twice as many Labrador Retrievers registered than the number two dog on the list, which is the Golden Retriever. Labs (as they are commonly known) belong in the sporting dog classification. Sporting dogs are used for pointing, flushing, and retrieving game. These dogs hunt by air scent rather than ground scent like the hound group. In hunting, the Labs are used primarily for retrieving downed waterfowl. Their short, thick, water-resistant coat and webbed feet make them perfect for that chore. The Lab has a large head and powerful neck with a short back, and strong hindquarters. Their coat can be black, yellow, or chocolate in color.

The Labrador Retriever is a true all-around dog. Their intelligence and their gentle disposition make them great family dogs, hunting dogs, and service dogs. The breed originated in Newfoundland and was brought to England in the early 1800's where their popularity grew rapidly. During wartime, the Labrador Retriever was used to detect buried land mines, saving many lives. Even today they are used to detect explosives and drugs. Aside from law enforcement, Labs are very popular for use as guide dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs. As a family dog, they are great with kids and other pets. They are generally very gentle and enjoy lots of exercise, especially swimming. They will play fetch for hours. Health-wise, Labs have a history of orthopedic problems, the most common of which is hip dysplasia. Many Labs also have problems with obesity.

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