15 Dog Breeds That Shine In Search And Rescue

Dogs are not just great buddies to hang out with, they are also handy in several critical moments. They can locate the missing person using their hunting abilities, such as agility and a keen sense of smell. Search and rescue is something several dogs thrive in, and on this list, we’ll tell you about 15 dogs that are great at it.

German Shepherd

In a search and rescue mission, German Shepherds can last for a long time because of their strength. These dogs weren’t bred to be hunters, but their intelligence and want of purpose make them invaluable when there’s a task like this at hand. As active dogs, they’ll have fun helping out.

Labrador Retriever

The history of labs surpasses expectations when it comes to search and rescue operations. For example, a search and rescue dog, Jake, a labrador, assisted search teams after the 911 attack and Hurricane Katrina. Their ability to take initiative and be independent helps them play this role well.

Bloodhound

Search and rescue is just another day in the life of an animal that hunts by smelling. This dog’s sense of smell is at least 1000 times stronger than yours, and its instincts favor its tracking abilities. When it catches a smell, it can take over ten days before it loses it.

Golden Retriever

If retrievers have one job, it’s right there in their name—to retrieve. Sounds like a synonym for search and rescue. With the right amount of training, your companion dog will become a valuable asset in finding lost people. They love being outdoors, so they’ll find search and rescue to be a delightful activity.

Belgian Malinois

This breed is smaller than German Shepherds, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in agility. More agility is a plus in search and rescue operations, and since it enjoys exercising with its owners and needs a lot of it, SAR operations are its heaven.

Border Collie

The border collie holds the crown for intelligence among dogs. This means you can train it for many things, including search and rescue. It’s already common to use them as search and rescue dogs, and being active dogs makes it easier to take them on an operation.

Beagle

Their functionality in search and rescue is not just a product of their ability to hunt by smell but also their small body size, which allows them to squeeze through small spaces. Endurance is something search and rescue dogs should have, and beagles prove that size doesn’t substitute perseverance.

Rottweiler

If you’re asking if a strong and fearless dog will be good in search and rescue, you’re probably asking the wrong question. This confident breed will go with its owner loyally while being protective of them, which makes it an asset in an A&R operation.

Doberman Pinscher

A Doberman is just the right training away from being an awesome search and rescue dog, and guess what? They are very trainable! Intelligence is an asset in SAR dogs, and since you can’t count five breeds more intelligent than Doberman, they are well-positioned for this task.

Australian Shepherd

We know they are herding dogs, but who says a herding dog can’t be skilled at other things? The breed’s obedience makes them easy to work with, and their intelligence and tracking skills make them useful in search and rescue operations.

Newfoundland

Dogs of this breed are built for swimming, so they are one of the go-to breeds for water rescue missions. Their sniffing abilities are top-notch, and they may not need any special training before they rescue someone from drowning, as seen in the 1995 case of the man in the Yuba River.

Springer Spaniel

Here comes another dog that performs well at retrieving things. Its search and rescue abilities extend even into more challenging mountainous areas. They can sniff blood, too, which comes in handy when there is no other smell to detect. A SAR operation is a good way to burn off some energy.

Coonhound

A coonhound is a hunting dog. Its sense of smell is its superpower when tracking, and that’s one reason it is well-suited for search and rescue. Their love for checking out their surroundings is excellent for SAR, but added training would make them perfect for the job.

Saint Bernard

Saint Bernard’s history includes rescuing stranded pilgrims and learning to perform search and rescue without human training. These dogs can smell someone miles away, and even though they may not be as energetic as some dogs on this list, they are perfect for someone who needs a gentle dog by their side.

Giant Schnauzer

The largest dogs in the Schnauzer family also do well in search and rescue. They’re a delight to have on any operation because of their loyalty and desire to keep themselves as engaged as possible. SAR operations can benefit from their desire for activity.