It takes a very special dog to meet the demands of the SDF training program, and to eventually join the ranks of the nation’s top search dogs. These characteristics are essential:

Bold, energetic, athletic
We’re looking for intensity, focus and perseverance.  A dog that not only wants to work, but needs to work!

A strong prey / play drive
Dogs with an insatiable appetite for retrieving a toy have what we call a strong “play drive.”  We look for the dog who hunts with an insatiable appetite, and who will not stop until the toy is found. 

Well-socialized, personable and outgoing
Our dogs approach strangers (human or canine!) with a curious, yet agreeable attitude. On the job, they encounter many distractions while they search for survivors: other people, animals, trash, and loud noises.  And through it all, they remain focused on the job at hand.  When deployed, these dogs must be well socialized, yet focused enough to screen out and ignore distractions. Also, since they are off-leash at the site, they must be able to concentrate within the chaos.

Ignore loud or sudden noises
A dog that is able to ignore all other noises at a search site and focus on the search is a must.  Sirens will be ringing, large machinery such as bulldozers will be operating, and other rescue operations will be going on at the same time that the dog will be searching. A Search Dog must stay attentive!

Sure-footed
A Disaster Search Dog must be athletic and show no hesitation stepping onto unstable surfaces.  Rubble piles will continually shift while the dog is searching.  They must be able to steady themselves, and remain confident.

The breed
We usually find the traits we’re looking for in the hunting and herding breeds.  These include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Border Collies.

Excellent health
The dog must have strong endurance and the capacity to withstand temperature extremes. Hip and elbow x-rays are required to verify they are strong and sound, able to work confidently and without injury on uneven surfaces.

From Pup to Certification
A dog must be at least nine months of age before it is determined whether they will have the necessary traits to be a Disaster Search Dog. Puppies will display some of these traits, but not all will maintain them when they reach maturity. If those traits remain strong, the dogs move on to six months of training at Sundowners Kennel in Gilroy, CA.  Then, after a period of several months of bonding and training with their handler, they are ready for FEMA certification testing. Once a team is certified, they still must continually train to maintain the focus necessary to be a Disaster Search Dog Team. Therefore, we cap our age limit at 18 months to allow for a long working life.