Salivary cortisol levels in search and rescue (SAR) dogs under rescue examination conditions

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the salivary cortisol level in search and rescue dogs during rescue search examinations. The research was carried out during open-field and disaster examinations for search and rescue dogs in Poland. Forty-one dogs took part in the study. Saliva was collected just before the search test and immediately after the search examination. The salivary cortisol level in dogs was marked and analyzed in relation to the sex, breed, type of examination, dogs' experience, and detection time. Salivary cortisol level in search and rescue dogs increases during the examination in both male and female dogs. Examination type affects salivary cortisol levels in male and female dogs. The sex of a search and rescue dog can be an important factor when choosing the specialty in which to train.