First off, there is really no such thing as a “typical” search dog. but in general, the successful search dog has the physical health and robustness to perform the task asked of them, the drive and focus to persevere in the face of obstacles, and the obedience to be a reliable working dog.
Breed
All dogs, even those with small noses like pugs or bulldogs, are built to collect and process scent. Their noses contain hundreds of times more scent receptors that are spread across internal baffles called turbinates. They also have a much larger (as a percentage) portion of their brains dedicated to odor detection and differentiation. Estimates of “how much better” dogs’ noses are compared to humans varies widely, but hundreds to many thousands of times are often cited.
The simple truth is that many breeds can be trained for at least some aspect of Search and Rescue work. Over the years BSARD handlers have worked pure- and mixed-breed . . .
. . . and we know of many others. In addition to breeds listed above, we’ve known other handlers that have successfully worked Rottweilers, Australian Cattle Dogs, Vislas, Dachshunds, Russell Terriers, and even a Yorkshire Terrier. As soon as someone emphatically states “that breed won’t work,” someone else will come along with a working example to refute the statement.
With that disclaimer firmly in place, it’s generally accepted that the scent-oriented working and hunting breeds are the most commonly used breeds for SAR work. This is because they typically have the size, strength, and stamina that most handlers look for, especially for rough terrain or long-duration searches.
However, smaller breeds can have their own advantages. They are “portable” and require less resources than large breeds, and they can get into places a big dog can’t. As an example, many smaller dogs are used in building and collapsed structure searches. When BSARD alumni Ed Jagodzinski (then with another team) worked the aftermath of a flood in 1997, he was able to pick K9 Gracie up and put her through open windows and the like when other means of ingress were not available.
Keep an open mind about any breed being considered for Search and Rescue, but also be realistic about limitations and expectations.
Personality
The personality of the dog is critical to their performance as a SAR dog. In general, what one looks for in a search dog is:
- A high play drive and an inquisitive nature. Remember that this is all a game to the dog. The easier it is to get the dog “spun up”, the easier it will be to get them to respond to training.
- Self-confidence. The dog has to be willing to take the lead without constantly requiring reassurance from the handler.
- Focus. The dog must not be easily distracted by crossing trails, critters, kids, snacks, or other tempting diversions. Only when the objective is reached can they go back to “being a dog.”
- Obedience. This is defined as the ability to behave and reliably follow commands, but it is not necessary to have absolute obeisance.
- Socialization. A search dog must not exhibit aggressive behavior toward a stranger, whether that stranger is human or animal.
Gender
Nyx and Lily say girls are better, but Zeke and Dexter insist boys rule.
Since they all perform with a great degree of proficiency and probability of detection, we’re wisely leaving this question unanswered.