Berger de Beauce

The Beauceron as a rescue dog

Since 1991 I am a member of the BRH - rescue dog brigade of Wilhelmshaven - Friesland (BRD). When, in 1994, I saw a Beauceron for the first time (before I knew only the Briard), I was fascinated by this breed. There are some characteristics you have to take into account when you want to train a dog, especially such breed as the Beauceron, to be a rescue dog.

According to the standard a Beauceron should have a steady character and be a quiet dog, which will never, without any reason, shows aggression. He can be reserved towards strangers and due to this, it is important to let him meet a lot of different people from different ages.

( My first dog Rocky during a jump through a circle of fire )

With 8 weeks Aaron joined us. After he was fully vaccinated we went for a puppy course and at the same time we started habituation exercises for rescue dogs. Aias joined us with 9 weeks, and it was directly clear that his character was totally different from Aaron's character. Aaron never avoided any confrontation, while Aias liked to look at things first from a distance. It took quite a while before he wanted to play with the other puppies in his course. One can never start to early with the education, because in general puppies are open for new experiences. However, this does mean that it is not possible to teach an older dog new trigs!! I started with my first dog when he was at the age of 4 and followed the training for rescue dog with him. Such a training takes about 2 - 3 years. The dog himself has to show if he can handle it or not. This has nothing to do with the age of the dog; it goes for a puppy as well for an adult dog. Neither does it mean, that a rescue dog, which is trained from puppy age on is the better one!!

For a start dogs have to learn, with a so called 'owner address', to find his owner and to bark. This exercise is considered one of the most difficult parts of the training and sometime it is very difficult to learn a dog to bark at command. During the search the dog is confronted with moving earth, unusual sounds, aggregates, chains saws, shots, boards, tires, styrofoam, gratings and ruins, all the time taking into regard the age and education level of the dog. During the training the difficulty level is increased step by step. The dogs are made conversant with all kinds of transportation, like helicopters, different types of boats, going down in a special harness from a crane of from a fire-brigade ladder.

The rescue dog works in fields and woods, as well as in ruins. They work always without a collar or a leash and they can smell human odours, because they are trained to smell them. They search high (so-called high wind search). This way of working enlarges the surface to be searched and decreases the risk of injuries caused by low hanging branches or ruins. Sometimes it is not possible for the dog handler to go into the area to be searched, but is it possible for an independent working rescue dog to enter the area, due to his lower weight and the better way his weight is divided.

At the age of 15 months the dog can pass his VDH-companion dog examination, which he needs before he can pass the rescue dog examination. From 16 months on it is possible to have the ability tested. During this test the education leader and to experienced handlers test if the dog is ready for his examination. Also the cooperation of the whole team of handlers and dogs is examined. The test, just like the real examination, is divided in ruins and fields and woods. At the age of 24 months the dog can pass his A-examination and with 24 months his B-examination. To keep the rescue dog team qualification the examination has to be passed on a yearly base.

( Our centre for biological water search )

The dog - leader visits also different education - courses, that are used as rescue - dog - leaders, in the time of the education. It becomes first aid at the human being and at the dog, card and compass, rescue - courses and radio - courses with license - examination educated.

Searching the water

Some dogs are trained to search the water. This on top of their training for searching the fields and woods and and ruins. These dogs search on inland waters for drowned persons or victims of swimming accidents. These training are a lot more difficult, because it is not possible to award the dog directly after he found the right place.

Character of the dog

Self conscious in neutral situations, quiet, alert and positive behaviour.

Does not bite easily and has a good temperament.

Preferably indifferent to noise, fire, smoke and other strange smells.

Spiritually and physically endurance.

Easy to guide and a good understanding towards the handler and a very good nose to search and of course a will to please.

Not to small/big or heavy.

Unwanted behaviour

Easily biting and aggression without any reason towards men and animal.

Fear, shyness and a nervous character and other kinds of weakness.

Tending to hunt or to make a game out of everything.

Fear from noise and sounds.

The skills of the handler

Spiritually and physically good assessable.

Fine team spirit.

Must be good with men and dog.

Has to have discipline and self-discipline.

Must be flexible.

Willing to do this voluntary and in its own free time.

Sport one can do with a Beauceron

Driving and herding sheep

Search dog

Breitensport

Agility

I.P.O. I.W.R. Police dog

Obedience

Teamtest

Endurance

Tournament - dog - sport

Companion dog

Information that is also given by:

Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen

or that

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		Work with a Beauceron The Beauceron as a rescue dog Since 1991 I am a member of the BRH - rescue dog brigade of Wilhelmshaven - Friesland (BRD). When, in 1994, I saw a Beauceron for the first time (before I knew only the Briard), I was fascinated by this breed. There are some characteristics you have to take into account when you want to train a dog, especially such breed as the Beauceron, to be a rescue dog. According to the standard a Beauceron should have a steady character and be a quiet dog, which will never, without any reason, shows aggression. He can be reserved towards strangers and due to this, it is important to let him meet a lot of different people from different ages. ( My first dog Rocky during a jump through a circle of fire ) With 8 weeks Aaron joined us. After he was fully vaccinated we went for a puppy course and at the same time we started habituation exercises for rescue dogs. Aias joined us with 9 weeks, and it was directly clear that his character was totally different from Aaron's character. Aaron never avoided any confrontation, while Aias liked to look at things first from a distance. It took quite a while before he wanted to play with the other puppies in his course. One can never start to early with the education, because in general puppies are open for new experiences. However, this does mean that it is not possible to teach an older dog new trigs!! I started with my first dog when he was at the age of 4 and followed the training for rescue dog with him. Such a training takes about 2 - 3 years. The dog himself has to show if he can handle it or not. This has nothing to do with the age of the dog; it goes for a puppy as well for an adult dog. Neither does it mean, that a rescue dog, which is trained from puppy age on is the better one!! For a start dogs have to learn, with a so called 'owner address', to find his owner and to bark. This exercise is considered one of the most difficult parts of the training and sometime it is very difficult to learn a dog to bark at command. During the search the dog is confronted with moving earth, unusual sounds, aggregates, chains saws, shots, boards, tires, styrofoam, gratings and ruins, all the time taking into regard the age and education level of the dog. During the training the difficulty level is increased step by step. The dogs are made conversant with all kinds of transportation, like helicopters, different types of boats, going down in a special harness from a crane of from a fire-brigade ladder. The rescue dog works in fields and woods, as well as in ruins. They work always without a collar or a leash and they can smell human odours, because they are trained to smell them. They search high (so-called high wind search). This way of working enlarges the surface to be searched and decreases the risk of injuries caused by low hanging branches or ruins. Sometimes it is not possible for the dog handler to go into the area to be searched, but is it possible for an independent working rescue dog to enter the area, due to his lower weight and the better way his weight is divided. At the age of 15 months the dog can pass his VDH-companion dog examination, which he needs before he can pass the rescue dog examination. From 16 months on it is possible to have the ability tested. During this test the education leader and to experienced handlers test if the dog is ready for his examination. Also the cooperation of the whole team of handlers and dogs is examined. The test, just like the real examination, is divided in ruins and fields and woods. At the age of 24 months the dog can pass his A-examination and with 24 months his B-examination. To keep the rescue dog team qualification the examination has to be passed on a yearly base. ( Our centre for biological water search ) The dog - leader visits also different education - courses, that are used as rescue - dog - leaders, in the time of the education. It becomes first aid at the human being and at the dog, card and compass, rescue - courses and radio - courses with license - examination educated. Searching the water Some dogs are trained to search the water. This on top of their training for searching the fields and woods and and ruins. These dogs search on inland waters for drowned persons or victims of swimming accidents. These training are a lot more difficult, because it is not possible to award the dog directly after he found the right place. Character of the dog Self conscious in neutral situations, quiet, alert and positive behaviour. Does not bite easily and has a good temperament. Preferably indifferent to noise, fire, smoke and other strange smells. Spiritually and physically endurance. Easy to guide and a good understanding towards the handler and a very good nose to search and of course a will to please. Not to small/big or heavy. Unwanted behaviour Easily biting and aggression without any reason towards men and animal. Fear, shyness and a nervous character and other kinds of weakness. Tending to hunt or to make a game out of everything. Fear from noise and sounds. The skills of the handler Spiritually and physically good assessable. Fine team spirit. Must be good with men and dog. Has to have discipline and self-discipline. Must be flexible. Willing to do this voluntary and in its own free time. Sport one can do with a Beauceron Driving and herding sheep Search dog Breitensport Agility I.P.O. I.W.R. Police dog Obedience Teamtest Endurance Tournament - dog - sport Companion dog Information that is also given by: Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen or that Deutsche Hundesportverband

		© 2007 by Manuela Schmidt • mailto: manuela at berger-de-beauce dot net

Work with a Beauceron