Abstract
Behavioral traits such as trainability, fearlessness, and energy are required for dogs to succeed as search-and-rescue (SAR) dogs. Certification by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ensures that dogs and handlers have extensive training and have demonstrated specific skills in the field. To determine whether behavioral differences exist between SAR and pet dogs, and between FEMA-certified USAR and non-FEMA-certified SAR dogs, the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) was administered to 129 SAR dogs participating in the post-9/11 medical surveillance study and a breed-matched sample of 2,131 pet dogs. Non-parametric mixed models were fit for each C-BARQ subscale with explanatory variables SAR/non-SAR status, FEMA certification status, breed, sex, neuter status, and age. SAR dogs had higher scores for trainability (P < 0.001) and energy (P < 0.001), and lower scores for aggression toward strangers (P < 0.01), aggression and fear toward dogs (P < 0.01), fear of dogs (P < 0.001), chasing (P < 0.001), fear of strangers (P < 0.001), and non-social fear (P < 0.001) than pet dogs. FEMA-certification was associated with lower fear of dogs (P < 0.05) and separation-related issues (P < 0.01) than non-FEMA certified SAR dogs. The traits identified in this study could provide guidance for more efficient selection of candidate SAR dogs and breeding stock.
Highlights
Search-and-rescue (SAR) and human remains detector (HRD) dogs are selected and trained for behaviors correlated with success in the field
In a larger, related study of 7,696 dogs from five guide and service dog programs, Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) scores at 6 and 12 months of age for 27 out of a possible 36 temperament traits were significantly different between dogs who successfully completed training and those released for behavioral reasons [4]
FEMAcertification was associated with lower fear of dogs (P < 0.05) and separation-related problems (P < 0.01) than non-Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certified SAR dogs
Summary
Search-and-rescue (SAR) and human remains detector (HRD) dogs are selected and trained for behaviors correlated with success in the field. Puppy-raiser evaluations on the behavior subscales: stranger fear, stranger aggression, nonsocial fear, owner aggression, dog fear/aggression, and trainability at 12 months of age were predictive of behavioral reasons dogs were released from the training program several months later [3]. In a larger, related study of 7,696 dogs from five guide and service dog programs, C-BARQ scores at 6 and 12 months of age for 27 out of a possible 36 temperament traits were significantly different between dogs who successfully completed training and those released for behavioral reasons [4]. In a sample of potential military working dogs, high scores on C-BARQ for trainability at 12 months were associated with better performance on standardized behavior test at 17 months, and negatively associated with non-social and stranger-directed fear [5]
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