Hi all!  I was attending a vet tech conference in DC this weekend, and we went to a lecture and demonstration put on by the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association.  Somehow it just really struck a chord with me, I've done animal rescue in the past and it was immensely rewarding.  To train up a SAR dog from puppyhood, to take that dog out into the field and find missing people, the idea just takes my breath away.  My current dogs are too old, however (it's recommended that you start training when the dog is no more than 2 years old, because initial training can take like 2 years and then of course the dog never really stops training and learning).  We probably won't get another dog for about a year, or at the very least until I'm out of school which is about another 6 months.  So I've got it in my head that with our next pup, I'll be looking for qualities desirable in a SAR dog.

Of course, I gotta wonder, would a tripawd be able to handle search and rescue work?  I mean, I know they get around every day just as well as quads, but what about out in the field?  Thick brush, jagged plants?  Rubble, demolished buildings?  We saw a picture of a GSD in New Orleans after Katrina, this dog was scaling the roof of a house that was tipped over, the roof was at nearly a 90 degree tilt and you could tell that dog was working hard to get up it; I just wonder if it would be too tough for a tripawd.  I'd seriously love to adopt a young 3-legged dog, owning a tripawd is a very enriching experience.  But do I have to choose between 3 legs and a great tracking nose?  What do you guys think?

There are several different types and degrees of SAR dogs.

Some search out very specific things and others do it all.

It is a very physically demanding job on both of you.

My concern is there are timed events you must go through to get certified.

My Tripawd thinks he is the fastest dog on three legs,

maybe some Tripawds just are not?

Thanks guys, you're pretty much saying what I was thinking.  I wasn't planning on doing SAR with Katy, no way, she's going on 9 years old and I just wouldn't be able to do the intensive training with her.  She's my lil tripawd ambassador, she goes to school with me and just out and about, making friends.  :)  Any dog I get in the future for SAR work will be young, between 6 months and a year old.  And will pretty much have to have 4 legs.

This is not to say that I won't adopt a tripawd in the future as well.  I still think they're very special dogs and I love owning one.  They have their own special brand of service, just being them.  :)  I like the idea of a tripawd therapy dog, that's definitely something to consider, heck Katy could do that right now.  I just hardly have time to do anything while I'm in school.  Over Christmas break I'll have some time to breathe, look into stuff, we'll see.  Generally I believe that working dogs are happy dogs, dogs with a purpose, with a job, I think they have better attitudes and are easier to handle.  The trick is figuring out what job a dog is meant for.  Right now, Katy's job is being my babydog and telling the world, "pfft, who needs 4 legs?"  Suits her just fine.  :)