frequently asked questions
Q: Why do you use only Border Collies?
A: We have a saying on AvaDogs, "That everything in life is not black and white—but our dogs are". This is pretty much just a coincidence. Most of our team member really like Border Collies because of their athletic ability, intelligence, stamina, play/prey drive and size. This is not to say that other breeds can not make great search and rescue dogs. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and most other sporting and herding dogs with a thick double coat would work well in Alaska. We currently have a dog (ZigZag) who is a Border Collie mix, and is proving to be a great search dog candidate.
Q: Why don't you use Saint Bernards?
A: Though Saint Bernards are a great breed, they would not work well for the type of mission AvaDogs is trying to accomplish. Modern search dogs are required to ride in helicopters and planes, on chairlifts and sometimes fit into small confined places. Dog of the Saint Bernhard's size would simply be to large to handle in these situation. Additionally, Saint Bernards have a shorter life expectancy than a lot of other breeds which would limit there operational life. It takes a long time to train an operational search dog, and most handlers want that asset to last as long as possible.
Q: Why don't your dogs have rum kegs attached to their collars?
A: Our dogs are far too smart to drink when working in the outdoors and would advise other to follow their example.
Q: How long does it take to train an avalanche dog?
A: It generally takes about two seasons to train an avalanche dog that can meet our minimum operational standard. This is not to say that we stop training at that time. Good dog/handler teams will train constantly until the dog retires due to age. illness or injury.
Q: Why don't your dogs wear booties like the sled dogs?
A: Actually our dogs do wear booties in some instances. The main reason the dogs usually don't wear booties when doing avalanche training is because booties impede the dogs ability to grip the snow with their toenails as well as their ability to dig as easily. On some surfaces the booties can cause the dogs to slip and possibly injure a joint. We do occasionally use booties when the snow is sticky and the dogs form snowballs between their pads on their feet. Another situation where we may use booties is when the dog has a cut to a paw, or in search areas where there are hazards like glass, nails, etc.
Q: How do your dogs get up the hill to train?
A: They ride on the Chairlift with their handler.
Q: Are the dogs afraid when they ride the lift?
A: Riding a chairlift is not a natural situation for a dog to be in, but all of our dogs have adapted very quickly. We try to get the dogs on the lift at an early age when their size allow the handler to control them more easily. Once the dogs realize that when they get to the top, they are going to work, they look forward to riding the lift. One of our dogs fell asleep on a lift and had to be awaken in order to off-load.
Q:Could my dog be a search dog?
A: Most healthy dogs that have an appropriate coat and size for Southeast Alaska could be a search dog. What many people are not aware of is the amount of obedience training that is required for operational dogs. Search dogs need to know how to behave in harsh, stressful and often unfamiliar situation. They must learn to ignore other dogs, animals, food, loud noises and other distractions when working. They must be courageous, without being careless. AvaDogs requires all dogs over age 18 mounts to pass an obedience test before being accepted for candidacy.
