Search Dogs

GRADED DOG TEAM

Team Member, Karen Frith is the Team's Search Dog Handler. Her border collie, Dottie, was born in Oct 2004 and was 'Graded' on 21st January 2007 as a Search Dog. In their first year as a graded dog team they attended over 30 incidents and made two finds. Lake District dog handlers are available for deployment across Cumbria and often to the North West of England and Southern Scotland - in addition to their local team commitments.

TRAINEE DOG TEAM

Team member Glen Hodges puppy Molly (a relation of Dottie) was born in early 2008 and they started basic obedience training in the Summer of 2008.

TRAINING FOR SEARCHDOGS

'Graded' dogs are dogs that have successfully completed training, with their handler, and passed a series of 8 days of assessments. All assessments must be passed in succession for a dog to be Graded. If one assessment (a search for one or more 'bodies') is not completed successfully the dog and handler have to retake all assessments.

The training programme for dogs and their handlers lasts for between two and three years, during which time the dog is taught to hunt for airborne human scent, to respond to it by tracing it to its source, indicate to its handler when it makes a 'find', and to lead the handler to the scent source. The programme includes obedience training and testing for soundness with sheep.

During training, assessors of the Search and Rescue Dog Association build up a profile of the dog and handler, feeding back suggestions for improvement and training, until the team reaches a point where a consistent standard is being achieved. The Association requires a minimum of 8 consistent days, before the panel of assessors will consider whether the dog/handler team should be regarded as ready to be placed on the Call Out List, or “graded”.

Search Dog Handlers are also expected to hold a current Casualty Care Certificate (a Mountain Rescue award in advanced First Aid), because of the possibility that they will be first to locate a missing walker or climber.

In common with Members of Mountain Rescue Teams, Dog Handlers are equipped to be able to operate on their own, with up to date communications and navigation equipment, all weather clothing and survival equipment.

To find out more about the Lake District Search Dogs - follow the link to SARDA (Lakes)