Search and rescue dogs
Among all categories of working dogs, the importance of search and rescue dogs is self-evident. It is also one of the most popular occupations for dogs that are respected and praised by people. After a major disaster, it is also the first time that they rush to the affected areas. Search and rescue work is directly related to the safety of human life and property, which is of great significance. < br> I. History < /strong>
The history of search-and-rescue dogs can be traced back to 950 AD. A dog was trained in a monastery on the border between Switzerland and Italy, and many people in the mountainous area were rescued by it. He became the first search-and-rescue dog recorded in history. Unfortunately, the monastery was destroyed by fire in the 16th century, and all records were lost. But in the next three hundred years, recorded rescue dogs saved more than 2,500 lives in this area. One of the most famous search and rescue dogs in history, named "Barry" St Bernard Dog, has successfully saved more than 40 lives. The portrait of Barry is still preserved in the Museum of Natural History in Bern. < br> II. Work < /strong>
Search and rescue dogs work in a wide range, including searching and rescuing missing persons in natural disaster sites, such as earthquakes, avalanches, mountains and water surfaces. According to the rescue environment, it can be divided into mountain rescue, water rescue and land rescue. Search dogs also undertake the search and rescue work of some crime scenes. These jobs can rely on the sensitive sense of smell of search and rescue dogs to speed up work efficiency. For example, missing tourists in the mountains, buried avalanche or earthquake sites, finding and rescuing drowning people, and identifying items used by criminal suspects and traces of human beings at fire sites, etc. < br> III. Breed < /strong>
What breed of dog can be trained as a search and rescue dog? There are many kinds of dogs that can be used as search and rescue dogs. In principle, as long as they are of medium size, they should not be too small or too large. Another sensitive nose is very important, and they should be patient and adaptable in character. Usually, hound breeds can become search and rescue dogs. In addition, there are some special requirements according to the different rescue environments. For example, water rescue dogs not only require that dogs are good swimmers and have good physical fitness, so they will choose some larger dogs, such as Newfoundland dogs. However, mountain rescue dogs need the ability to work in the field in alpine climate.