We all love dogs for being there for us. Dogs are amazing animals for just being our faithful canine companions, but some breeds are built for more and break the mold when it comes to helping their owners when it matters most.
Some people look for breeds that will be loyal and everloving, and while that normally goes without saying, some breeds can do a lot more when it comes to times of crisis. Here are the best breeds that will spring into action when they know their owner is counting on them to make a difference.
From dogs with a long lineage in police work and search and rescue to some unexpected breeds that just know when things need to be handled.
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois are a wonderful breed that loves to please their owners through hard work and dedication. They can suit nearly any role in a household, from just being a faithful dog to doing much more complex and stressful tasks.
Whether or not you give your Belgian Malinois special training, they will keep their protective instinct and, more likely than not, know when to jump in to help during a crisis. However, if they receive proper training and discipline, then their true potential is unleashed.
This training has led many examples of the breed to be protection dogs for private security when lives can be on the line. Despite their background in protection, they are extremely gentle with people they know and trust and are even great with other pets, including cats!
German Shepherds
German Shepherds don’t need an introduction. They may be the most well known dogs used in K-9 operations from departments ranging from private security, police agencies, and even the Secret Service, where the priority is keeping the president or another high ranking members of staff safe.
German shepherds are highly intelligent breeds that are well-known for their training capabilities. When in police careers, German shepherds are often expected to work in high stress situations including bomb and drug detection.
This stressful environment makes them high functioning working dogs that still love to play and snuggle up to their owner at home by the fire. A K-9 handler, officer Michael Turner, says, “German Shepherds are often the first to leap into action, whether it’s tracking a missing person or protecting their handler.”
Labrador Retriever
Although Labrador retrievers don’t have a military or security background like the previous two breeds, they are still amazing in crisis response. They are most notable for their role as wonderful family pets, but when they get proper training, they often work as therapists and search and rescue dogs.
They are amazing for water rescues because of their amazing ability to swim. Search and rescue expert Sarah Mitchell says, “Labs thrive in high-stress situations because of their calm demeanor and eagerness to please.”
They are a versatile breed, which means they can be up to nearly any task as long as they get the proper training and reinforcement. They are often used in earthquake and flood crisis response to look for and aid survivors.
Border Collies
Border collies are often praised for their high intelligence. This breed has a long heritage in herding, and if not properly trained, may try to herd other pets and even people. But when the time is put in to properly train them, their limitless energy makes them amazing search and rescue dogs.
The breed can be become solely obsessed with a single task, not being easily distracted from their goals. Canine behaviorist Dr. Emily Harris says, “Border Collies are natural herders, but their problem-solving skills and speed make them exceptional in rescue scenarios.”
Their adaptability and great samina means they are sometimes sent out on mountainous terrain to search for missing hikers when time is the most crucial component.
Golden Retriever
Much like Labradors, golden retrievers are often seen as lazy family dogs that keep their owners happy through snuggles and companionship. While they are great at this, they are also amazing in crisis response due to their background as retrievers.
Their unmatched friendliness works well in situations where humans or other animals need to be calmed down and not escalate. They have a great sense of smell to sniff out missing people after a crisis, like an earthquake, has happened.
“Golden Retrievers have an innate desire to help, which makes them perfect for disaster response,” says rescue trainer Laura Bennett. They are frequently used in urban search and rescue when a disaster has led to a collapsing building with people trapped under rubble.
Bloodhound
Bloodhounds are well-renowned all over the world for their nose, and the stereotype isn’t unfounded. Their exceptional sense of smell means that they can track the scents of people from a single item of clothing across many miles and even over a few days after other dogs would have thought the trail had gone cold.
Scent detection specialist Dr. James Collins commented, “Bloodhounds are the ultimate trackers, often used in missing person cases and criminal investigations.” Much like border collies, bloodhounds have impeccable focus when they have a job to do and won’t rest until they have completed their task.
They also love a good challenge, which helps to mentally stimulate them and means they won’t give up on a task as long as their handlers are there to encourage them.
Australian Shepherd
Australian shepherds have a history of herding livestock, which means that they are used to performing complex tasks that require effort, energy, and motivation. The breed is often used in disaster relief efforts, where time is crucial and lives are on the line.
They can easily get over difficult terrain like rubble, where some other breeds might struggle. They are amazing at finding survivors after disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and others. Disaster response expert Dr. Rachel Green explains, “Australian Shepherds thrive in high-pressure environments, using their problem-solving skills to navigate complex rescue scenarios.”
They have an unmatched work ethic, which means they are up to nearly any task thrown at them and remain diligent and effective during even the most extreme responses.
Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are fluffy giants that became more well-known after the movie “Beethoven.” While they make great family dogs with the proper training, they have a lineage in search and rescue dating back hundreds of years.
They were originally from the Swiss Alps, where they were specially bred to track and locate lost travelers in extreme conditions. While other dogs and even rescue operators may struggle, Saint Bernards travel the snowy terrain with ease and would historically rescue people all on their own and bring them back to civilization.
Alpine rescue expert Anna Muller notes, “Saint Bernards have a natural instinct to protect and rescue, often carrying supplies or pulling sleds to reach those in need.”
Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are another enormous but gentle breed that are coincidentally great rescuers when they have to jump into the water. They have a unique adaptation that gives them webbed feet.
This evolutionary trait coupled with a double coat means they are unmatched swimmers that are efficient at saving people that are stranding in the water and at danger of drowning. “Newfoundlands have an instinctive drive to save people in distress, often diving into rough waters without hesitation,” says water rescue specialist Mark Thompson.
They are a good natured dog, which helps people keep their cool in intense situations, which could end up saving their life. The Newfoundland, among all the other breeds mentioned, are unparalleled when it comes to crisis response with the proper training.
Explore more of our trending stories and hit Follow to keep them coming to your feed!
Don’t miss out on more stories like this! Hit the Follow button at the top of this article to stay updated with the latest news. Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
