The 10 Best Search And Rescue Dog Breeds

When we think of rescue dogs, we’re likely envisioning police canines like German shepherds. Perhaps we picture this muscular pup racing into an emergency situation to save the day. But one surprisingly tiny dog is challenging our notion of “rescue dog”. A Chihuahua recently made headlines for saving her owner, who was hiking the Swiss Alps alongside her small companion when she slipped and fell into a glacier crevasse. The little pup sounded the alarm, barking and whining at passing hikers until she got someone’s attention. Her persistence paid off, and a rescue crew pulled her owner to safety.

This post was updated on July 18, 2025 to include the story of a small Chihuahua rescuing her owner.

Search and rescue dogs are the heroes of the canine world. Sometimes called SAR for “search and rescue,” these brave, loyal dogs work with law enforcement, first responders, and rescue teams.

All SAR dogs go through many months or years of training, especially dogs who work in the most difficult types of searches and rescues. These dogs do many important jobs, including:

• Human remains detection
• Water search for living people or cadavers
• Avalanche search
• Urban area search
• Drug detection
• Disaster search

The best breeds for search and rescue are intelligent, trainable dogs who have powerful scent and tracking abilities. Hounds, for instance, have an extremely keen sense of smell, and other breeds have powerful eyesight. All SAR dogs are eager to learn and willing to help their human partners do their jobs.

Finding all these traits in a single dog is a tall order, and that’s why these dogs are the best of their kind. Here is our ranking of the best breeds of SAR dogs and interesting facts about each.

#10. Belgian Malinois

These active, energetic dogs are ready to work long hours in searches. They are intelligent, highly trainable dogs who are popular with the military and police departments. Belgian Malinois have many talents that make them outstanding SAR dogs. They can find explosives, drugs, and other evidence. They can even be trained to sniff out cancer and other illnesses.

Shiraz, of Havana, Florida is one such shining example. The 12-year-old, 50-pound Malinois, has worked with police and sheriff agencies, and specializes in remains detection.

Having participated in over 70 searches, the canine professional was awarded the American Kennel Club Humane Fund Awards For Canine Excellence (ACE) for 2020.

Shiraz continues to make important finds and is currently employed by the National Park Service where she is involved in discovering historical burial sites.

#9. Basset Hound

Like the bloodhound, the basset hound is built for scent work. With almost as many smell receptors as her larger colleague, she also has huge ears and a long nose. With their short legs, basset hounds are ideal for scent-tracking of small animals and anything that might be close to the ground.

#8. St. Bernard

Many people think of St. Bernards as the original search and rescue dogs. These huge, shaggy dogs first came to the Menthon Monastery as guard dogs in the 1600s. The monastery is on the summit of a mountain in Switzerland, and the monks frequently had to rescue stranded hikers. They began bringing the dogs with them, and the monks soon realized that these dogs excelled at finding missing people. Today, St. Bernards are among several dog breeds used in mountain rescues.

#7. Beagle

The smallest of the hounds, the beagle is a superb tracking dog because he can get close to the ground. Beagles have a curious, friendly temperament that makes them good at staying focused on their goal. Although you might think police dogs should be large, the small, friendly beagle has become a popular choice for police work.

#6. Labrador Retriever

These dogs are a triple threat that can swim, run and track. They rank high on every list of desirable dog traits, including intelligence, willingness to learn, and loyalty. Labrador retrievers excel at some of the most difficult SAR tasks, including bomb detection, disaster recovery, and water recovery. All retrievers, including goldens and Chesapeake Bay retrievers, are good at search and rescue work.

#5. Newfoundland

Originally bred as fishing dogs, Newfoundlands can swim well in almost any water. Their thick, shaggy coats and webbed paws make them excellent swimmers. This trait has made them a popular SAR dog for the coast guards of England, France, and Italy. These gentle, brave dogs routinely rescue drowning swimmers and have even towed boats to shore.

#4. German Shepherd

German shepherds have worked with their human handlers for centuries. These brave, loyal dogs are the most common breeds used by law enforcement and the military. German shepherds are highly trainable and obedient when given the right training. These dogs grow extremely attached to their human handlers and will go fearlessly into danger with them.

#3. Border Collie

Legendary as a sheepherder, the border collie also makes an excellent SAR dog. A border collie enjoys nothing more than working hard for a reward. This intelligent dog enjoys a challenge, and it has the energy for SAR work. A border collie is a fast learner with a good temperament.

#2. Coonhound

These lean, lanky dogs were bred for hunting, which means they’re capable of sustaining their energy for miles of running and searching. They have a powerful sense of smell and a long nose that can pick up any scent. Coonhounds will follow a scent trail with a single-minded purpose. They’re also intelligent, friendly and loyal companions.

#1. Bloodhound

With more than 300 million scent sensors, the aptly named bloodhound can find anything with his nose. Even this dog’s body is built for scent tracking. The bloodhound has a long head with large nostrils and enormous ears, which help the dog pick up any scents in the air. A bloodhound is highly energetic and willing to track a scent for miles.

Summary Of The10 Best Search And Rescue Dog Breeds