Disciplines

The formation of the rescue dogs is regarded by canine experts as the most difficult specialisation. Selection and psycho-canine tests are introduced from the age of three months, gradually observing the dog’s temperament, the educational aptitudes for this specialisation and his IQ. A crucial point is the dog’s compatibility with his owner. The chosen dog must be psychically stable, with an above average intelligence, with a long-term will to work, without getting bored or even phlegmatic, regardless of his (pure) breed. International experience has proven that it does not matter if the dog is a shepherd, a hound or a stray dog, as long as he is used in speciality contests, demonstrative exercises or real cases.

Read more: Disciplines

In this subspecialty, the principal objectives are the reduction of the search area, the rescue of victims, of people trapped under rubble. In these situations, we recommend the testing of any dog (of breed, crossbreeding or stray), of small-medium size, age five months.

Hence, we are looking for psihically stable dogs, with an innate desire to work, easily adaptable to any training area, regardless of weather conditions or time of day, psychologically resistant to successive, extended trainings.

Read more: 1.Rubble rescue dog

For this subspecialty, the principal objectives are the selection and formation of fast dogs, willing to work on large surfaces, surfaces inaccessible to man or other instruments of search-rescue ( forests, caves, rocky grounds, caverns, canyons, landslides, disabled urban areas), resistant to weather conditions, adaptable to any person commanding them; also, results should include an identification and reduction of the search area and the rescue of any victim.

Dogs must be psihically stable, sanquinic, extremely sociable and tender on the street, in training and real cases. Phlegmatic dogs are also accepted, but their conductors must have utilitarian canine experience. Natively advantaged are hunting dogs, German and Belgian Shepherds, Border Collies, but any dog with rescue aptitudes can be trained.

Read more: 2. Rough terrain rescue dog

The difference between rescue type-tracking and Sch H – type tracking is that in the latter we know the type of track (of the conductor or of a stranger), the starting point, the track’s shape and the number of items. In the SAR-type tracking, the dog must find all of the above.

Dogs must be tested from infancy (about 4 months), while permanently observing them until the educational period. Any dog can be used, regardless of his size, temperament, character, but the desire for a competition dog or a real scenario dog must be taken into consideration.

Read more: 3. Tracking dog, SAR type

A mountain rescue dog must be tested until he reaches 5 months, in different mountain areas; although they appear to be an easy verification, the first canine psycho-tests are not taken in winter, but after the dog’s preferences (any weather, any season on a mountain area).

We are looking for medium-large sized dogs, physically and psychologically resistant to cold weather, with an outstanding desire to work in winter, on large surfaces. The training methods vary, but we do not accept methods that include force, intimidation or the intensive one.

Read more: 4. Mountain rescue dog

In this subspecialty, the objectives are the quick and effective rescue of any person in a state of shock or at drowning point, in case of floods, shipwrecks, drowning or impossibility to come back ashore, in cases of maritime rescues, competitions or real situations.

The water rescue dog is different from other dogs because it is taught to dose his physical and psychological effort during the rescue mission. If in other specialties, the dog can stop and rest, then continue his mission, the water rescue dog cannot.

Read more: 5. Water rescue dog (lifeguard)

This is an optional specialty, as it mostly goes to extremes regarding the high risks of the dog getting injured, both in the educational process and in real situations. The fire fighting dog is selected from the rescue dogs that have reached level B in rough terrain search or rubble rescue.

These dogs are special, because they must withstand toxic substances, smoke, gases, and unpredictable reactions from the victims and the equipment with which they enter the mission.

Read more: 6. Rescue dog for toxic environments and fires (fire fighter)

Since 2001, the Centre of Craiova has been holding national educational projects for children, and also therapy and guide dogs for people with disabilities, according to the European standards.

Together with the FRPCA (the Romanian Federation of Animal Protection and Control), we have built a European project for communitarian dog trainings, for them to fit into families.

Read more: 7. Therapy Dog

For blind persons, people with hearing disabilities or other disabilities.

It represents the utilitarian ABC in the first educational part of every discipline. The obedience of the company dog is characteristic on the training field, in the urban area, in known and unknown areas. A BH graduate has to answer to the 10 basic commands that the family uses at home or on the street. BH level is part of the IPO discipline.