Rescued dogs to be sent to Haiti to find survivors

[rozae]

Rescued dogs trained in Search and Rescue are deploying to Haiti to locate survivors.

And there are still so many people out there who think rescue dogs are inferior.

Comments

[kayashta]

I never really noticed that to be the case, among SAR people, actually. Some have preferences for certain breeds, but I never saw any 'eww, a rescue dog' attitudes. SAR is about drive and ability to do the work, not pedigree... but if I had been wanting to go into the work, which I considered, the fact that Cai's breeder has raised a number of certified search dogs would work in her favor to me... cause I love Dobermans. ;)

I have little doubt that our ACD rescue, Echo, has the heart and skill for search work. She'd have done well at it, as she does at anything you ask of her. A very clever, sensible dog with a strong ability to find. She cost me a whole $50 to adopt, if I recall correctly. ;)

[rozae]

Oh, I'm not talking about the folks involved in SAR. I mean people in general. There's still a lot of stigma surrounding shelter and rescue pets. The negative view is slowly changing, but there's still far too many people who consider these pets to be lacking.

[kayashta]

I can't tell you how many times at a Schutzhund show, a Doberman walked away with the tracking honors. It always astonished all the GSD, Dutch Shepherd, and Malinois people.. but Dobermans really do have great noses. *laughs* My dobes have always been so good at the nose work.. the problem is, like you said, the focus for other areas.

Cai is from working lines, and boy does he have the drive, but sadly he lacks that spirit that makes a dog want to work. He is just really lackadaisical and tends to like to just become sort of intractable when he's done working. ;) It was disappointing, but I have accepted it now... he is a wonderful companion so I can't feel too bad.

Lots of luck to you in your pursuit of obedience titles and more. :)

[caninepawprints]

A dog is a dog, whether it's a mutt or a purebred. They can be trained to do anything we can put our minds into training them to do.

[rozae]

The trick is getting more people to see the potential of each dog, regardless of background.

[caninepawprints]

You're right. I don't know why people shy away from shelter dogs. I've already decided from here on out I'm not getting anymore dogs from breeders or people giving away their animals. I'm only getting them from the shelters. Having three dogs right now, though, and soon to be four with Kellie giving me her Chihuahua, I won't be getting anymore dogs for quite some time, though.

I've seen some of the best dogs come from shelters. I wish more people would give them a chance.

[caninepawprints]

I read this comment and realized I sound like a hypocrite by saying I'm getting anymore dogs from people giving away their animals, and then in the next sentence saying I'm getting that Chihuahua from Kellie.

I don't know if you read about it, but she was my best friend and she passed away December 14. A few weeks prior to that, she had asked me if I wanted Two Spot's puppy, and I jumped at the chance because Todd and I have always been very fond of Two Spot. With Kellie passing away, I want Hannah to remember Kellie by because it's the baby of one of her most cherished dogs.

[silverblaidd]

This post is amusing me. I'm going to refer to it when discussions come up about NEEDING to buy a purebred breeder dog because sure, rescue dogs could do it, but you just never know. Every group of dog-sport and dog-work has this mentality, from SAR workers, to police dogs, to agility.