K9andSports: First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions. Please introduce yourselves briefly!
Alexandra Lambert: 37 years old, office worker - with Groenendael dog “Baya von den Unglaublichen” (7 years old)
Astrid Kalff: 55 years old, business graduate - with her Malinois dog "Santanasangel's Hope" (7 years old)
K9andSports: How long have you been serving with ISAR Germany and do you do any other sports with your dogs?
Alexandra: - Search and rescue work since 2002, with the BRH (German Federal Association of Search and Rescue Dogs) since 2005 - with ISAR Germany since 2017 - also competes in obedience (Class 2) and does Mondioring as a counterbalance
Astrid: - Search and Rescue work since 1999 (member of SEEBA = rapid deployment unit for international search and rescue of the THW) - Founding member of ISAR Germany (2003) - since 2015 also IGP with my dogs
K9andSports: How many real-world missions have you participated in and where?
Alexandra: 2021: North Rhine-Westphalia (flood disaster) 2021: Haiti (earthquake) 2023: Turkey (earthquake)
Astrid: 2004: Thailand (tsunami) 2009: Indonesia (earthquake) 2010: Haiti (earthquake) 2015: Nepal (earthquake) 2021: Ahr Valley (flood disaster) 2023: Turkey (earthquake)
K9andSports: How does the nose work in your sport differ from that of search and rescue dog work?
Alexandra: In Mondioring, the dog searches for and finds the helper on the decorated field; the helper wears a full protective suit. After barking, the dog "accompanies" the helper. If the helper tries to flee, the dog is allowed to bite.
Astrid: In IGP (International Utility Dog Trial), the dog must pick up the scent trail with its nose to the ground and then follow its course (ground disturbance) with motivation, high search intensity, continuously, and consistently. The dog indicates the objects on the trail (e.g., by lying down). Alternatively, the dog can indicate the objects by picking them up.
In search and rescue work, the dog searches for a "live scent" in rubble; it usually doesn't see the "victim." The dogs run with their noses held high over the debris. Rubble dogs react to even the smallest scent fragment. They indicate a find at the point where they pick up the strongest scent. The indication is given by barking. However, depending on the structure of the rubble, the scent of a living person may be indicated in a different location than where the person is lying. Therefore, the indication of one dog is verified by another dog, which is then sent, if possible, from a different direction to the area of strongest scent. In addition, technical procedures are subsequently performed.
A tracking device (e.g., camera) is used to determine the exact location of the buried person.
K9andSports: How strenuous are your deployments on site, how long can your dogs work, and how long do they need a break afterward?
Search and rescue operations are extremely strenuous for both humans and dogs. In addition to the often long flight and transport to the actual disaster area, the change in weather (temperature differences of up to 30 degrees Celsius between home and the deployment site, e.g., the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti in January 2010) adds another layer of stress. Furthermore, there is the time pressure to reach the disaster area as quickly as possible, meaning there are no breaks. The smell of corpses is particularly challenging for the dogs (they exhibit unusual behavior), as they are not familiar with this scent in their everyday training. Therefore, the dogs are usually sent out for approximately half an hour for intensive searches, followed by a break of about one hour. In this sequence, the dogs can complete five to six searches in a 12-hour shift.
K9andSports: Don't search and rescue dog work and your sport conflict? Have you experienced that dogs you train concurrently in IGP/Mondio have more difficulty, for example, with indication behavior, or are there other problems in their work?
We even advocate parallel training in the aforementioned disciplines, as the fundamental structure of IGP/Mondioring, with regard to "drive consistency" (consistency of behavior), trainability, and resilience, provides a solid foundation for search and rescue dog work. The indication behavior of a search and rescue dog simultaneously trained in working dog sports is certainly not aggressive or otherwise borderline towards the "victim," as is sometimes falsely claimed. On the contrary, we observe dogs that display an urgent, powerful, and enthusiastic indication. In our view, IGP/Mondioring is even beneficial for search and rescue dog work, as it is based on the same approach to "drive development" and also demands impulse control, adaptability, and obedience from the dog.
K9andSports: How do you choose a puppy, where do you buy your puppies and why?
Alexandra: I choose my puppies based on self-confidence, emotionality, drive, assertiveness, a cool demeanor, a love of work, and a touch of quirkiness. I find these qualities in certain dogs that I've had my eye on for a while. The pairing is crucial, as is the health of the parents. Trust in a responsible breeder is absolutely essential; only together can you find the right dog. I'm lucky enough to have been friends with Kaya's breeder for a long time.
Astrid: I'm a Malinois enthusiast and observe various breeding lines for traits such as health, fearlessness, determination, toughness, play and prey drive, and social behavior. I always visit the breeding bitch and, above all, the puppy's upbringing beforehand. I prefer to start with a puppy that I bring home at eight weeks old. However, I've also had good experiences taking on a young dog, provided it has received proper socialization and, of course, has its health results. My breeder meets all these criteria perfectly.
K9andSports: What characteristics are important to you in a working dog for your work in the rescue service, and how do they differ from other dog breeds?
First and foremost are an absolute work ethic, high motivation, and assertiveness. Besides assertiveness and a certain toughness, a strong bond with the handler is also essential. These are all qualities that characterize a good working dog. However, there are also very good rescue dogs of other breeds, though proportionally they are not as numerous as working dogs.
K9andSports: Thank you so much for your time and especially for your dedication!
