Heroic Hearts of Our Four-Legged Companions – 10 Pictures
Dogs have long been considered man’s best friends for generations. Their loving and loyal demeanor has proven that they can act as more than just a friend or beloved family member. Historically, there are certain breeds that have been serving as rescue dogs throughout the years alongside their human companion. With their human-like characteristics and natural canine instincts, these breeds have become ideal life savers when disaster or tragedy strikes. Here are the breeds whose heroic hearts and instincts help save lives and keep us safe.
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Dalmatians: Fast & Fearless
The Dalmatian breed is synonymous with firemen and fire rescue. In the present day, we don’t often see Dalmatians on fire calls or on a fire truck unless it’s for a parade or at events related to fun. In the past, Dalmatians served as the guide in getting the horse drawn carriages and the firemen to their emergency calls. Due to their agility and speed, Dalmatians could easily keep up with the horses and would clear the paths for the fire carriages so they could get to a fire quickly. In the present day, the Dalmatian is more of a mascot for firehouses, but their nobility and speed is still as remarkable as it was years ago in helping those in need.
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Newfoundland: Natural Lifeguards
A dog that looks like a bear, Newfoundlands have hearts as big as their stature. Their courageous personality is only matched by their fearlessness. The Newfoundland breed is now being utilized in assisting organizations, like the Coastguard, in rescuing those stranded out to sea. With their strong build and natural instinct to help humans, Newfoundlands have the ability to swim and safely grab those in trouble. Their combination of high intelligence and great swimming technique makes this breed a natural lifeguard on the high seas.
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Belgian Malinois: A Special Soldier
A dog that isn’t afraid of battle, the Belgian Malinios is a breed that fights alongside the exclusive U.S. Navy Seal members. It’s smaller sized frame and fierce dedication makes the Belgian Malinois the ideal warrior for military personnel and rescue missions. Originally bred as a herding dog, the Belgian Malinois was brought over to the United States after WWI when soldiers were returning home. This breed quickly became popular, and their call to duty and obedience have made them a strong soldier among military units.
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Border Collies: A Friend to Lean on
A dog breed this is considered a ‘workaholic’, this dog is the happiest when it has a mission in life to complete. With their undeniable intelligence and top-notch obedience, Border Collies make excellent companions and service dogs. Border Collies has also proven to be stellar therapy dogs that bring great comfort to individuals with disabilities. Their calm awareness and desire to please is what makes this breed a true pal to have at your side.
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German Shepherd: Guardian & Partner
One of the most well-known service breeds out there, the German Shepherd, is as smart as it is strong. This breed was specifically bred for its brilliance and their ability to catch on to tasks extremely fast. German Shepherds are also very protective of their territory and those they love. Driven to have a duty in life, along with their immense longing to learn new things, German Shepherds are the perfect partners for those in law enforcement fields. The popular show “Rin Tin Tin” emphasizes the German Shepherd’s desire and intelligence in protecting those they love and care for.
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Labrador Retriever: Lifelong Companion & Helper
One of the most beloved breeds out there, Labradors are also the most popular dogs in assisting those with disabilities. Their gentleness with humans, coupled with their high intelligence, make them a perfect companion for helping a person in need of extra assistance. True to their name, Retriever, Labs excel at bringing things back to their owner. This is ideal for someone who struggles at doing daily tasks due to their health or incapacity to do so. Labrador Retrievers have a wonderful temperament and are able to solve problems on their own, making them a great choice for many dog lovers and for those in need of extra help.
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Golden Retrievers: The Golden Breed
A cherished breed among dog lovers and enthusiasts around the world, the Golden Retriever is beloved sidekick for many. Aside from their typical role as a family dog, Golden Retrievers are also used as a seizure alert breed. Golden Retrievers have a natural instinct in sensing an oncoming seizure for those who suffer from them regularly. They can alert their owner to take precaution before one strikes, such as laying down or leaving a crowded area. Golden Retrievers have proven to be loyal and trustworthy companions in watching over their owner’s health and well-being. With one of these dogs at your side, you can always be sure that they will always be looking out for you.
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Bloodhounds: The Sherlock Holmes of Dog Breeds
Have you ever heard the saying, “You have the nose of a Bloodhound?” Well, the saying holds true to the breed itself. Known for their nose, bloodhounds are phenomenal detectives in regards to sniffing out trouble or to help find those who may be in peril. It is estimated that a Bloodhound’s sense of smell is about 1,000 times stronger than a human’s smelling ability. This breed is able to make a mental image of something after sniffing an article of clothing that holds the scent of the desired object that needs to be found. The Bloodhound can follow that scent for miles and can zone out the other smells that may deter this dog from its path. Aside from being a naturally good detective, this determined breed is also a great companion for hunters.
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Great Pyrenees: Protector of the Herd
Human lives are not the only thing that needs to be protected and watched over. Many farmers have ‘guard dogs’ for their livestock. One breed in particular has made it their mission to look over the animals that a farmer holds dear to his livelihood. A Great Pyrenees is a white coated dog whose size can get up to 140 lbs. They are sturdy, yet quick, and they have a natural instinct to protect flocks of goats, sheep and poultry from outside predators.
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