The rescue dog breeds include those four-legged friends that are particularly frequently used for these purposes. But that doesn't automatically make them a rescue dog.
To do this, dogs have to pass the so-called “rescue dog test”. Dogs are usually specially trained for this after they are 6 to 12 months old.
There are also different focuses when it comes to rescue dogs. Depending on their training, the four-legged friends are suitable for different areas of application:
- Area search: finding missing people.
- Corpse discovery: locating human remains.
- Debris search: Search for collapsed houses and rubble.
- Water detection: rescuing injured or helpless people in the water.
- Mantrailing: tracking down specific people.
- Avalanche search: Search for snow avalanches. [1]
Below you will learn about the 16 best rescue dog breeds, their characteristics and their special features.
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#1 Malinois
The Malinois is one of the rescue dog breeds. He is also an excellent watchdog. Although he is rather skeptical around strangers.
These four-legged friends made headlines because, among other things, they were responsible for tracking down Osama Bin Laden in the military. So already in 2011.
In general, they are very versatile. Especially as a sniffer dog in the military and the police. They are used in bombs, drugs, cash and even corpses.
During the World War they were even used to transport wounded soldiers. And it is only in the last few decades that they have also become known as family dogs.
However, one could say that they are suitable for all purposes. Just not as a lap dog. They're too big for that. Life expectancy is up to 16 years. [2]
The animals were named after the Belgian city “Mechelen”. Which is the French translation for “Malines”. There are also one of 4 subspecies of the Belgian Shepherd Dog.
Her original work was that of a German Shepherd. That means they were primarily there to work. There is also a hard-working quality in her character.
Fun fact: This four-legged friend is very protective. It even protects you from the postman and the associated Amazon delivery.
#2 Saint Bernard
The St. Bernard is one of the lazy dogs. But it is also a rescue dog. In general he is very friendly towards strangers.
This four-legged friend has its origins in Switzerland. In the past he was mostly used as a working dog or guard dog. After all, he also has a very good nose.
He was also sometimes used as a rescue dog for mountaineers in the Alps. Because people often needed help or rescue during avalanches. [3]
Their nose is so good that people can smell through the snow. Even up to 5 m are no problem for the four-legged friends. They find injured people in no time.
Because of all these good qualities, this dog is among the top 50 most popular dog breeds in the world. However, his life expectancy is only 8-10 years.
The animals are also known as “Gentle Giants”. This means “gentle giants”. Because the four-legged friends are very large, but also very gentle and friendly.
This also makes them ideal family dogs. Finally, they are also very kind towards children. However, due to their size, they are not suitable for apartments.
Fun fact: Still waters are deep. This actually calm breed of dog often suddenly barks in the most unusual situations.
#3 Border Collie
The Border Collie is one of the rescue dog breeds. Because he is very intelligent, energetic and alert. It is also a police dog breed.
The four-legged friends come from Great Britain. They are in the top 35 most popular dog breeds worldwide. And in the top ten most intelligent dog breeds.
Plus, it’s the ultimate German Shepherd breed. Because he is super persistent. This means that he is still used as a sheepdog today. [4]
Nowadays he is mostly a family dog. However, he needs to be constantly mentally and physically occupied. Because of his very strong herding instinct.
The animals even go so far as to guard everything I move. In other words, children, bicycles, cats, cars and even squirrels are not safe.
In children, loud behavior is often interpreted in an interesting way. The dog believes that children's loud behavior is the stubborn behavior of a herd animal.
If this happens, the animals tend to bark and nip at the calf. They are also so curious that they always seem to find a way to escape.
Fun fact: Not only pointed on four paws, but also on four wheels. Because the “Jumpy” can skateboard 100 meters in under 20 seconds.
#4 Bloodhound
The Bloodhound gnaws on almost everything. No matter whether it is stones, plants or remote controls. So they are gnawing rescue dogs. [5]
They are also the best sniffer dogs among all breeds. Your nose has 300 million olfactory receptors. That's 60 times more than in humans.
The dog's ears are also impressively large. At 34.9 cm, these are the largest ears among dogs. But he also barks quite a bit.
In general, the animals are used as hunting dogs to track down deer and wild boar. This puts them in the top 50 most popular breeds worldwide.
Because they are difficult to train, they are not suitable for beginners. They are also very active. Therefore, apartment living is less of an option.
In addition, the four-legged friends need a lot of activity. This also means that they have difficulty staying alone. In general they are very sociable.
They are sociable even with strangers. They are also pack animals. This means that they love having other dogs around them.
Fun fact: Bloodhound is a really good fit because these dogs can smell blood from 10 meters away. And to all women… Yes, even this blood.
#5 Newfoundland
The Newfoundland loses a lot of hair. Apart from that, it is a relatively easy-care dog. The animals are also known as rescue dog breeds.
This makes them the 40th most popular breed. And finally, they are also easy to train. Another advantage is that they bark very little. [6]
They were originally bred as working dogs for fish. They are perfect for this task as they even have webbed paws.
However, the animals are not suitable for apartments. But smaller apartments are also not ideal. In general, however, there are hardly any dogs that are more sociable.
This four-legged friend copes well with cold, but not well with heat. Finally, he also has very cozy fur. The dog therefore resembles a bear.
The animals are also very trusting towards the family. This also means that they are very trusting towards children. But other dogs are no problem either.
Even strangers are accepted. They also love work, although they often drool. They also have an instinctive rescue instinct.
Fun fact: Would you like some filling material? This four-legged friend has to give off enough of it every time she changes her coat.
#6 English Coonhound
The English Coonhound. This is a rescue dog that has a very strong hunting instinct. Therefore he needs a lot of exercise.
The home of the four-legged friend is the USA. It was originally bred there to hunt raccoons. He is a hunting dog breed for so-called “treeing”. [7]
This means that the task was to scare wild animals into trees until the hunter comes. Nowadays they also make excellent families – and guard dogs.
According to a survey by American veterinarians, the breed is one of the twelve most talkative dogs in the world. No wonder they don't like loneliness.
By the way, they also get along very well with children. In general they are very trusting towards the family. But they are not for first-time owners or beginners.
The animals need a very strict master. Your skills are impressive. In addition to a very good sense of smell, they are very adaptable.
But be careful! These dogs have a very loud bark. But they get along well with both heat and cold. But they also need a lot of exercise.
Fun fact: Boredom? No one there to talk to? According to a survey of American veterinarians, these dogs are among the 12 most talkative breeds in the world.
#7 Labrador Retrievers
The Labrador Retriever is also a rescue dog breed. The retriever species has such a good nose that it is very likely to be able to detect cancer.
With a little training, the animals can also fish independently. In general, however, they are used as sniffer dogs for drugs or bombs. [8]
The webbed feet between their toes make them excellent swimmers. But they are also impressive on land. They can run at speeds of up to 48 km/h.
No wonder they are the number 1 most popular dog breed in the world. They are available in three different colors. Once in brown, black and beige.
Today the animals are primarily used as family dogs. However, they were originally bred as hunting dogs. Back then they hunted all kinds of birds.
They are also used as therapy and guide dogs. Because they usually get along well with children and other dogs, as well as other pets.
As a rule, they also get along very well on their own. However, sometimes they become hyperactive. And they bark at loud noises. But in general they are not loud.
Fun fact: Bathing and swimming are such a huge difference! Swimming is great and bathing is the enemy for this four-legged friend.
#8 German Shepherd
The German Shepherd was originally bred to work as a sheepdog. Today he is also used as a family, police, military, guard and rescue dog. [9]
The breed is only around 120 years old. They have 225 million olfactory receptors. So around 45x more than people. They are also called “frog dogs” in documentaries.
Their life expectancy is up to 13 years. They have a very strong bite. Around 73% of the strength of a shark. They are also available in 11 official coat colors.
They are in the top 10 most intelligent dog breeds in the world. They are also the second most popular breed in the world. So right after the Labrador Retriever.
The animals cope well with the cold. They are very trusting towards the family. In other words, they also get along well with children. But they only partially tolerate strange dogs.
They are also suitable for beginners. However, they are very difficult to stay alone. They then either start barking, digging or gnawing.
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