Look for a Lab out of British hunting bloodlines. They tend to be on the smaller side, especially the females. They are also usually not as hyperactive as American field trial lines although that does not always apply in both directions. UK bred dogs are know for being a little more biddable and the Brits tend to breed toward a dog that has a good nose and a lot of hunt.

You know, I had always thought that my little Jack Russell Terrier would make a good SAR dog, especially for a demolished building - he's agile, light enough not to cause debris to collapse, has a great nose, and unbeleivable drive.

That was until someone mentioned that non-dog aggression is also a consideration, and he is VERY male aggressive...

Just as a observation I saw a great dane in Israel that did S&R. It found a little girl in a earth quake collapsed building in Turkey a few years ago. It also did man work, might as well fight a lion as this thing. Wouldnt like to carry it home on my back though.

I can't imagine! They'd have to send in an entire rescue team to carry the dog out in a litter! I'd bet Danes have great noses, though.

Yes Richard, I agree with you on the ears, what a pain, but I sure like them better cropped. I was going to leave my first one natural but one ear was laying ok and the other was going goofy and I really didn't care for that look and had them cropped a little late, but they turned out really good.

Richard, I noticed you said even the show line Giants still retain good working ability. I was wondering if you believe that one of the biggest reasons may be that like the Standard they've never been that popular of a breed therefore not bred in such large numbers (stronger gene pool)? I also here you on the sensitivity. I only have to look at my female sideways and she melts. So I just make sure I have a ball or squeaker in my pocket to bring her right back up. My male has a fairly hard temperment although he does resent personal correction (leash & collar) but he snaps right back. He handles e-collar corrections better than anything. E-collar really comes in handy when you're training from a wheelchair.

I know when I was looking for my Standards I couldn't find anyone that was breeding solely for workability, but almost every line I looked into always had several dogs in their line that was doing advanced obedience, agility, tracking, therapy dogs, etc. Blondie, I'm surprised that link didn't work for you, I'm going to try and put another link in here that's directly to a list of breeders. If that doesn't work, just try doing a search from any major search engine like "excite". http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/7068/breeder_list.htm

Schnauzerman,

I think there are 2 reasons that the Giants have maintained their working ability. First that they have not been really popular until recently. They are getting more popular now than they have ever been. The AKc has always discouraged working temperament and especially protection work. Part of the argument I keep hearing is that the working temerament limits potential owners as many can't handle the working dogs. Second, a couple of the good breeders are on a semi-regular basis importing lines drom Europe. In several countries in Europe the Giants are still used for police work. So there is still available some good working stock.

The best thing about my new breed is it maintains the Giant temperament, without needing to have the ears cropped. I agree that the Schnauzers look funny without the ears done. We always put the long show crop on them and they look really elegant.

Some one made an observation to me the other day, that it wasn't so much an individual breed of dogs cut out for SAR work but an individual dog. I have seen so many breeds of dogs doing jobs they were never bred for. Found a good breeder for Giants at a reasonable price but still looking to make sure I get what I want. My brother owns 2 Jack Russells & they are very dog aggressive. They tried to take on a neighbors Rotti one day, I'll say one thing they have no fear.
Normally the ear cropping on some breeds does not make that big of a difference to me but I certainly like the Schnauzers with their ears cropped.

I'll second the Brit labs. An old supervisor of mine has two. They're smaller, lighter, and calmer than the American versions. He has his trained for bird hunting, and these dogs can WORK. They were also very well trained, and obeyed without question. Two very very good dogs, IMO.

Sorry I can't add anything more relevant.

Just my .02 cents.

Phil the SP

Phil,
Does your old supervisor know much about good lines? I'm curious to know as much as possible for when I pick my next Lab.