Did You Know?
Some Interesting Facts About
Search & Rescue Dogs
There are at least 90 search dog units in the United States. They vary in versatility and expertise.
Search dog teams can reduce manpower needs. One dog/handler team can clear about one half square mile (1.3 sq. km.) per day on average, sometimes more (or less is some mountain countries).
A search dog has 44 times more olfactory (sense of smell) sensory cells than a human. He's a super sniffer!
A dog's olfactory lobes take up nearly one-eighth of his brain. He's scent smart!
A dog can perceive certain smells in the range of one part in ten quadrillion (10-15). That's incredible but true!
Dogs navigate most brush better than most people.
Dogs tire in deep powder snow, but the heavier coated breeds will still search.
A working search dog requires an average of 2 pounds of dog food (dry kibble) each day.
A working search dog will need at least as much water as the handlers.
No, a dog does NOT have to be purebred to be a search and rescue dog. Any dog with the right work ethic and drive can be a successful search and rescue dog!