Chances are if you are a new handler and visiting this site for the first time then you have many questions.  What type dog should I use for search and rescue?  Should I start with a puppy or an adult dog?  How do I train my canine?

All these questions we will try and answer.  Let's start with the basics.  What are the type of search and rescue dogs?  There are primarily 2 types of search and rescue dogs ... airscenting and tracking or trailing dogs.  There are many classifications under these 2 types such as scent discriminating verses non-scent discriminating. Airscenting dogs use airborne human scent to home in on subjects, whereas trailing dogs rely on scent of the specific subject to locate a victim or clues.

Air-scenting dogs generally follow scent in the air. They:

Seek out generic human scent in the wind and follow it to the source (the missing person).
Search without needing a scent article (although some places have scent discriminating air scenting dogs).
Are able to search areas that have already been searched.
Work off leash and cover large areas.
Are able to search for a missing person long after the trail is cold.

Tracking dogs generally follow scent on the ground. They:

 
Are scent discriminating - seek scent of a specific person.
Require a scent article.
Perform best with fresh track, little contamination.
Work on leash and follow track
May determine direction of travel of the missing person.