Hey Guys! I have a question for you all. We have a Daschund named "Radar". He is very active and is always on the move, either playing fetch with his toys or just plain running around the house. We had thought he had A.D.D!lol(Just Kidding) I have come to the conclusion that he just needs something to do other then just being a "pet". So my question to you guys is, can Daschunds do SAR? Would they be too small for it? My step-son is 14 years old, and was curious if he could train him for something like that. Radar is pretty much his dog anyways and will mind my step-son better then me or my husband. If he would not be able to participate in SAR, do they have agility for his size? I am just curious. It seems to me that he has a whole lot of prey drive and when we hide his toys he will find them in a heartbeat. So I thought that we could really use that prey drive towards something that will benefit the community. I wish my current GSD had as much prey drive as this little dog has.

Thank you in advance for any information that you guys can provide. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oops....I guess it would probably help you guys to know Radar's age. He is 1 yr as of 2/05. Sorry about that. If you need more info, please feel free to PM me.

Thank you

Hi Shelly, while Radar's size might be a hinderence in SAR, there are certainly other aspects of nose work that he could be suitable for! Narcotics, insects (some companies have dogs trained to indicate termites in buildings!), disaster work (searching small areas for survivors), other contraband such as fruits, vegetables, illegal animal skins (small dogs are preferred because they can travel the conveyor belts in airports). I guess the limitations would be on the resources you have available to you, and the opportunities to use him once he's trained!

I know when I certified my Dobie, Raven, the track layer took us places a rabbit wouldn't go! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> In some cases Daschund size would have been preferable, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> but mostly his short legs would have caused him to struggle with many of the obstacles. Also, due to their long backs, he would be at risk of injury from falls etc.

Another idea, if you can stomache it... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> is to let him do what he was bred for... hunt vermin!
My mother earns her green fees at their golf club by using her Shiba Inu to hunt the gophers that plague the course! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Just some ideas! Good luck with Radar!

Tammy.

I know they use wire-hair's to track wounded deer so I can't see why not. Give it a try, it will be up to whoever certifies him. In the meantime he will have a really good time!

I seen a drug detection Daschund while on board a ship when I was in the Navy. They used him for searching the racks(bunks).

There was a tv show: 'dogs with jobs' on the National Geographic chanel that had a segment featuring a dashound that did SAR. The woman, handeler, also had another dashound that she was bringing along in SAR with the help of the 1st dog. Was quite interesting. Although the dog was attacked at one time, during a search by a coyotte ( the handler was able to chase the coyotte away) & now stayed in closer proximity to the handler on searches. I would think, though, that they would be somewhat limited in where they could search due to the lack of physical ability to handle really difficult terain or extended search areas. They are afterall small in stature and unable to climb over large obsticles or have the endurance that a larger dog would have. So there would be some serious limitations in what they could do.

I've hunted behind a few minis. Many of them have the drives and the nose. As was said already, for certain uses, I think the right one could do a nice job. My concerns would be the limited abilities with their short legs. I've done a lot of searches in some really rough country. We also do a lot of work in the "hood". Somehow I don't think the gangbangers would give much respect to a Dasch. They clear the area fast when we start unloading GSDs.
Another BIG point! Not to put down your step-son, but I doubt any team would allow a 14yr old to join. In fact, I'd be leary of any team that did.

I'm of the opinion that SAR isn't a discipline for going out and screwing around with.

It isn't a fun thing to do with your pet and should be taken very seriously.


So I'd say go out and do agility, or competition obedience, or Schutzhund, or whatever else is a fun game.

If you want to do SAR go visit some certified teams, see what it requires, get a real good idea of the type of dog you'll need to do the work well, and get that dog.

I don't know that the little guy would have what it takes, honestly.

SAR is not a dogsport

I have met TWO young SAR Tech II certified individuals who were 12 years old....mountain boys who could probably survive quite well alone in the woods and quite possible out search the adults. Both were impressive young men and one was a darned good bloodhound handler BUT they were NOT allowed to participate in searches.

Our team does allow pre adults to join as auxillary members under certain circumstances, and with parental permission, but they mainly serve as dog tenders, training subjects etc. and pick up good training and simulated experience so that when they are old enough they can hit the ground running.

First of all, I would like to thank you guys for all the information. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I do understand SAR is a serious task at hand. I was not doubting that at all. However, with as much energy as this little guy has, it just seems that he should be active in something. I will probably check into agility or maybe even obedience. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I am currently looking into purchasing a GSD for either SchH or SAR.(For myself) So that is in the process. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> My current GSD I believe does not have enough prey drive to be able to work in it. He has some East and West German lines in him. So I think with that mix, he just does not have what it takes...plain and simple. Again thank you all for your time!