Baby dog ​​Ace: The new hopeful team of the Aveyron fire department!

Baby dog ​​Ace: The new hopeful team of the Aveyron fire department!

The exciting world of rescue dogs is enriched by a special newcomer: Ace, a Malinois who is only four months old. The young male is part of the cynotechnical team of the Service Départemental d'Incendie et de Secours (SDIS 12) in Aveyron and has already proven that he has what it takes to be a real hero. The SDIS 12 describes Ace as “curious, dynamic and promising” and emphasizes that he has already shown initial success in his demanding role. Together with his handler, Sergent Vincent Vigouroux, Ace has an important mission: to find missing people who are victims of avalanches, cave-ins or lost in nature.

Although Ace still has two years of training left, he is already showing promising skills. At just two months old, he was actively training with other dogs from the cynotechnical brigade. His job requires exceptional olfactory skills: unlike sniffer dogs that follow a trail on the ground, Ace must detect human presence over a large area without having a known starting point. This unique ability makes him a valuable member of his team.

The requirements for rescue dogs

The demands on rescue dogs and their handlers are extremely high. Not only are special dog breeds required, but also intensive training. Dogs are usually used in rescue services in teams consisting of a dog and a handler who must complete at least 180 hours of training together in the last 12 months. Eight hours of training with the unit for rescue and recovery operations are also mandatory. Dogs of the Belgian, German and Dutch Shepherd breeds are particularly often used. These breeds are characterized by high intelligence, ability to learn and a close bond with their people.

But what makes a good rescue dog? In particular, dogs that enjoy bonding with people demonstrate that they are eager to learn and have a certain level of agility. Almost any breed of dog or mixed breed can be trained as a rescue dog, but certain criteria regarding appearance and behavior must be met.

Versatile uses

Rescue dogs are used in a variety of scenarios. These include:

• Großflächige Gebiete: Hunde suchen ohne Leine in Wäldern oder Industrieanlagen nach vermissten Personen.
• Trümmersuche: Hier suchen Hunde unter den Trümmern nach Überlebenden, etwa nach einem Unglück.
• Wassersuche: Speziell ausgebildete Hunde, wie Neufundländer, sind auf die Suche nach Ertrinkenden spezialisiert.
• Mantrailing: In städtischen Gebieten nutzen Hunde einen Geruchsgegenstand, um vermisste Personen zu finden.
• Suche mit dem Helikopter: In unpassierbare Gebiete werden Hunde und Hundeführer geflogen, um dort nach Vermissten zu suchen.

By working closely with their handlers, rescue dogs are not only trained four-legged friends, but also loyal companions who can save lives in many dangerous and challenging situations. In order to be optimally prepared for use, dog handlers must acquire extensive knowledge of operational tactics, cynology and even first aid courses for humans and dogs.

As Ace and his partner prepare for the challenges ahead, anticipation remains high. It will be exciting to see how this talented duo develops in the coming years.

You can read more about Ace's impressive career and the challenges that await him here: actu.fr, emploi-securite.com, wamiz.de.