Hero Dogs 2023: Here are the 10 breeds of adorable dog that make the best search and rescue dogs - including the loving Labrador 🐕
David Hepburn
·3-min read
Some dogs have the ability to rescue victims trapped in buildings toppled by natural disasters. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Dogs make amazing pets as a huge number of us can attest to, having decided to welcome many new pups into our homes over the last couple of years.
Kennel Club figures show dog ownership soared over the global pandemic and have continued to rise since.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
With the most sensitive nose in the dog world, with more than 300 million scent sensors at its disposal, the Bloodhound can follow smells that are weeks old. The dog's long ears help disturb odours from the ground and direct them to that amazing snout. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
Some dogs also excel in any number of important jobs, having the perfect range of attributes to carry out tasks.
For example, their day jobs can range from herding sheep to guiding blind and partially-sighted people about their daily lives.
What’s more, they are also experts at finding people – whether it’s criminals trying to evade arrest or the victims of natural disasters.
The Black and Tan Coonhound was only officially recognised by the UK Kennel Club in 2018 - making it Britain's newest pedigree dog. Popular in the US, they will happily follow a scent with single-minded determination for miles. It's an attribute that had been used for both hunting animimals (including the racoon it takes its name from) and missing people.
These are the 10 breeds that make the best search and rescue dogs.
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Although they are better known for their animal herding talents, the Border Collie's extreme intelligence and dedication to any task it's given, also makes them fine search and rescue dogs. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
The smallest of the best search and rescue breeds, the Beagle's close proximity to the ground helps it track scents. They are also naturally curious - meaning they are as keen to get to the source of the smell as the people they are trying to save. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
There's not much that the German Shepherd can't do - being a favourite breed for poliice, army and fire duties. Their incredible urge to please their handler and dedication to their demands, means they are also useful for search and rescue tasks. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
The Basset Hound is a close cousin of the Bloodhound and is a similarly great tracker. Running slightly closer to the ground, they have traditionally been used more to track small animals, but are also experts at sniffing out humans. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
The Labrador Retriever is the world's most popular dog and are a jack of all trades when it comes to search and rescue duties - being strong swimmers, fast runners, and able to track well. They are particularly good in disaster recovery situations. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Newfoundlands were bred to help out fishermen and can swim in even the coldest waters - making them a top choice to rescue drowning swimmers. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
When most people think of a rescue dog it's the St Bernard that they picture - with it's (largely apocryphal) keg of brandy around its neck. Originally used as guard dogs, the monks of a monastery high in the Swiss Alps discovered that they were suberb at rescuing stranded hikers.
Particularly popular in continental Europe, the Belgian Malinois has bags of energy and stamina for even the longest search. Their sense of smell is so good they can even be trained to sniff out cancer and other illnesses. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
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I have owned various breeds of dogs for over 50 years but I think banning XL Bullies is a necessary decision in order to stamp out the growing numbers of irresponsible owners I feel are getting this dog.
If you have young children and are one of the growing number of people looking to add a puppy to your family, here are the dog breeds that should top your list – and those you should avoid.
If you’re looking to have more than one dog in your household – or want a pet that will get on well with your friends’ pups – these breeds are a good choice.
Taking care of your pet is more stressful than managing a romantic relationship or being a parent, new research suggests. That’s according to a survey of 2,000 pet owners, which found people are more stressed about their ability to care for their fur pal (42%) than their relationship with a partner (37%) or their kids (30%). That may be because over half (51%) think their fur pals are also experiencing stress. When asked what would help their pet feel calmer, their human companions noted spending more time outside (47%), connecting with other pets (46%), spending more time with them (44%) and a pet therapist (43%) as potential solutions. Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of ElleVet Sciences for Pet Wellness Month, the survey also found people think about their pet aging as much as they think about getting older themselves (65% each). Pet parents think they can identify the signs their pet is slowing down, such as if their pet lacks energy (56%), no longer enjoys their favorite activities (54%) and has difficulty scaling stairs (51%). Similarly, people pointed to lack of energy (60%), joint soreness (48%) and not enjoying the things they usually do (48%) as signs they, too, are getting older. People’s top three worries about their pet’s health are digestion (37%), the inability to play and enjoy life (37%) and their pet’s heart health (33%). When it comes to their own health, people’s concerns include not being able to enjoy sports or activities without fear of injury (39%), their heart health (38%) and digestion (37%). Over two-thirds (68%) of pet parents said watching their pet age and suffer would be very hurtful for them, more so than losing an expensive item (62%), losing their job (61%) and divorcing or breaking up with a partner (61%). Many grew up with a pet and still cherish those memories, thinking about their childhood fur pal more than three times a week, or about 180 times a year. “Supporting your pet through all stages of life can minimize their stress, allowing you to create more happy memories together,” said Amanda Howland, co-founder and CCO of ElleVet Sciences. “As your pet gets older, it’s important to be proactive in identifying the signs of aging, such as difficulty moving, trouble sleeping and social isolation. It’s all about more time, and more quality time with your pet, and for them aging and stress are intertwined so taking care of discomfort related aging and cognitive decline can reduce their stress significantly” On average, respondents have owned their current pet for five years, spending two of them establishing a bond of trust. Six in 10 (61%) said their fur pal frequently comforts them when they’re feeling sad. In fact, 73% consider their pet to be their “protector.” People also shared their favorite memories with their current pet, including “listening to him snore,” “taking my pet on the boat,” “The day we brought him home from the humane society,” “watching movies together,” and simply “spending time together.” “Just like us, pets’ needs can change as they age, so their daily routines, diet, and exercise may need to be adjusted to improve their quality of life, as well as adding high quality supplements. Small adjustments can ensure your pet’s golden years are less stressful for both themselves and their human companion,” Amanda added. PET PARENTS’ TOP STRESSORS My finances - 54% My job/career - 49% My ability to take care of my pet - 42% My health/wellness - 40% My romantic relationship - 37% My kid(s) - 30% WHAT WOULD HELP PETS FEEL LESS STRESSED, ACCORDING TO PET OWNERS? Spending more time outside - 47% Connecting with other pets - 46% Spending more time with me - 44% A pet therapist - 43% A change in diet - 38% A massage - 37% Vitamins/supplements - 31% – Pet owners who had a childhood pet think of them 3.46 times a week x 52 weeks = 179.92 times a year Survey methodology: This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 pet owners was commissioned by ElleVet Sciences between Sept. 8 and Sept. 16, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
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