What do avalanche rescue dogs actually do?

When we think of avalanche dogs, the first thing that comes to mind is the Swiss legend, “Saint Bernard”. A friend of the mountain people and an extraordinary rescue dog, with his little barrel of brandy supposed to temporarily reactivate blood circulation. This story is more myth than reality, but what is very real, is the devotion of mountain rescuers and their loyal colleagues, the avalanche dogs. They are true heroes of winter.

How does an avalanche rescue work?

When people are buried in the snow during an avalanche, the first to arrive are the trackers with their detection equipment. They begin a search for clues in the field.

They observe the scene, consult the witnesses and secure the avalanche scene.

The firefighters, the gendarmes, as well as the teams of avalanche dogs and their handlers arrive second.

It is at this precise moment that the avalanche dog and his master take over and save the rescue team in a considerable time. The intervention of an avalanche dog increases the victims’ chances of survival.

Once the buried person is detected, the dog digs with its paws to reach and release the victim. It also uses the power of its jaw to pull the person out of the snow. She will then receive the necessary first aid very quickly.

A key role for avalanche dogs during rescue operations.

In France, during the 2017–2018 ski season, there were 79 avalanches and 37 deaths. Despite technological advances, no device has yet surpassed the extraordinary performance of the dog and its handler during rescue operations.

Thanks to its highly developed sense of smell, the avalanche dog is able to square a flow area in record time to locate the victims. Where a man would take several hours to detect the trace of one of his fellows, the dog will take only a few minutes. In this kind of mission, the survival of a man stuck in the snow without oxygen and incapable of the slightest movement is only a matter of minutes.

It is this precious time that the dog saves us, which saves lives every year.

How are Avalanche Dogs trained?

They start training at the age of 7 months for a year and a half, and then throughout their careers.

The animal receives training based on “playing” and will learn to recognize the scent of a man buried under several meters of snow.

He will be accompanied by an avalanche dog handler with whom he will develop a special relationship. The dog handler will have himself undergone training allowing him to obtain a national certificate issued by the Ministry of Defense and Civil Security.

The duo must complete five assessment sessions each year to validate their skills and allow them to continue their work.

Unfortunately, dogs begin to lose the quality of their sense of smell between the ages of 7 and 8, so they retire at that age.

What breeds for mountain rescue?

To return to the myth of Saint Bernard, although it is very often associated with the mountain rescue breed, it is far from the most suitable dog for the situation.

All dogs can potentially become rescue dogs, but dog handlers have chosen breeds whose abilities are more suited to their mountain activity and weather conditions.

Avalanche dogs are mainly German, Belgian Shepherds, and Malinois is known for their exceptional olfactory abilities.

Selected dogs should also be capable of intense concentration during rescue operations so that they are not distracted by rescue teams as well as helicopters and other noisy transport devices.

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