Avalanche risk is rare, but the danger is real, and although safety technology exists, like avalanche beacons and heat-sensing drones, avalanche dogs are still an essential component. But search and rescue dogs have to be more than just scent detectives. The best rescue dogs have to be social but dedicated and enjoy work as well as play.
These canine heroes are typically breeds known for their intelligence, agility, and strong searching abilities. Avalanche Rescue Dogs, with their exceptional training and keen senses, are indispensable assets in search and rescue missions. These heroic dogs, often seen bounding through snowdrifts, are trained to locate buried victims quickly,
Avalanche dog handlers are all ski patrollers, and their first responsibility is mountain safety and taking care of the guests. Training an avalanche rescue dog is a rigorous process that begins when the dog is still a puppy and can take up to two years to complete. Dogs practice locating buried individuals in various snow conditions, learning to signal to their handlers upon finding a scent.
Dog Breeds Used In Avalanche Rescue
These breeds are favored for their intelligence, stamina, and strong work ethic. They perform a vital role in mountain safety. Find out the dog breeds that are trained to alert to the scent of a buried person by digging with two paws and barking.
1. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernard is not only a dog but a legend of the Alps, hailing from the difficult terrain of the Swiss-Italian border. These dogs were trained by monks to rescue lives before the invention of modern equipment.
These dogs weigh as much as 180 pounds and much capable of plowing through snow caves with their strong paws. Saint Bernard follows the scent trails that are invisible to human handlers. Their composure under pressure and distinguished physical capabilities help them find the abandoned travelers.
2. German Shepherd
According to PetMD, German Shepherds are high-energy and love having a job or an outlet for regular exercise. They are known for their confidence and bravery, as well as their ability to thrive with expert levels of dog training and obedience. In fact, German Shepherds are commonly used as working dogs in the military and police for patrolling, bomb sniffing, and search and rescue.
German Shepherd is a brave and intelligent dog breed that has a strong attitude that does not give up even in the most harsh environment. It was reported in Austria in the late 1950s that an avalanche had occurred and buried multiple survivors. The German Shepherd has worked with determination and saved five lives.
Unlike with the sport of scent work, the dogs aren’t trained to a particular odor. Rather, they learn to seek human scent through the training process.
3. Border Collie
Border Collies are known for their boundless energy and determination. They are regarded as the Einsteins of the canine kingdom. Their speed and brainpower are revolutionary in avalanche rescue.
They are light and quick on their feet and super responsive; these dogs dash through the snowfields as they are made to do it. A real problem solver loves the search work that suits them best for their mental and physical stimulation.
Border Collies are exceptional and work better with rescue teams. In the 1990s in Norway, a skier was stuck under the depth of the snow, and a Border Collie found that individual and saved his life.
4. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is another versatile dog that can perform several tasks. Bred to be working dogs, they are quick learners who always give a passive response. These exceptional dogs can work very well in search and rescue missions.
They are regarded as the best sniffer dogs that are very social and equally adoptable as a pet dog. Their friendly nature and crazy sense of smell qualify them as indispensable in avalanche rescue.
It was reported in 2010 that a Lab named Apollo was a part of the rescue mission in Colorado. He has helped to spot the survivors under the quiet snow and saved three individuals.
5. Golden Retriever
Talking about the best rescue dogs, it is not possible to forget about Golden Retrievers. They are strong and stay focused on the target. They are not only rescue dogs but also the emotional anchors on the snowy mountains.
They appear to be gentle due to their golden coats and soft eyes; yet they are the fast runners that can run through the deep snow. Their double coat keeps them safe in the extreme weather conditions.
6. English Springer Spaniel
English Springer Spaniels may not appear like avalanche rescue dogs, but they have the most powerful sense of smell that can even detect COVID-19, as per NIH.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the cheerful, floppy-eared English Springer Spaniel spends his days snuffling through rooms at British Columbia’s Vancouver General Hospital, examining furniture, floors, beds, walls, tables, and even clothing.
They are super smart and quick to learn anything you ask of them, and they have plenty of energy to boot.
7. Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes are designed to be wild and bold. This breed not only endures the cold but can also do its best in extreme cold conditions. They are intelligent, strong-willed, and independent dogs.
According to Britannica, it is bred as a guard, herding, draft, or rescue animal. Breeds range from medium to large, but all are sturdy and muscular, intelligent, and loyal. They are not only the avalanche rescue dogs but also the mountain warriors.
8. Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs are guard dogs that provide a feeling of protection and authority in drastic situations. Their muscular body makes them more suitable to plow through the snow.
They work really well in teams; their sense of smell is exceptional, which makes them ideal for the rescue team. Dog handlers carry a go bag so we can have the fastest speed possible. Which has all of the essential equipment for safety.
9. Bernese Mountain Dog
As the name signifies, the Bernese Mountain Dog is the soul of the hills that are powerful, gentle, and quiet hero. Their heavy tri-coats and muscular bodies are of snow.
One of the obedient dog breeds that are bred for cold environments and are getting comfortable navigating the mountain—riding lifts, maneuvering deep snow, and staying focused in high-energy environments
Conclusion
Avalanche rescue dogs are more valuable than the searching devices; they are companions that can be trusted to work in the harsh weather conditions. These canine heroes are always ready with the passion to save lives. But it is not only their physical capabilities that make them stand out, but also their mental strength and emotional bond with the handlers that can not be broken.
Every dog has distinguished traits, whether it is the strength of the Bernese or the motivation of the Lab nothing can replace the fine instinct of the well-trained rescue dogs. These heroes help us to remember that not all heroes wear a uniform; sometimes, they run on four legs to save a life.
