An immersion into avalanche dog training in Méribel Mottaret
Avalanche dogs: their crucial role and what makes them unique!
Imagine a dog capable of finding victims buried under several metres of snow… That’s an avalanche dog! These four-legged heroes who train all year round are essential to mountain rescue missions. Thanks to their sense of smell and a close bond with their master, they carry out an essential job.
In this article, find out about their training and what makes them veritable saviours in the snow.
Who are they?
Avalanche dogs are canine detectives, chosen for their intelligence, energy and sense of smell. Preparing them to face challenging conditions takes time, discipline and tireless motivation! Some breeds are particularly well suited to mountain rescue missions:
- Border Collie
- Malinois
- Berger Allemand
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador
- …
Thanks to their natural aptitudes and daily training, they are ready to intervene under whatever circumstances require.
What are the criteria?
To become an avalanche dog, there are several criteria to fulfil: be a male, aged 1-4 years, have a tattoo and be up to date with vaccinations.
But that’s not all! They must have a good sense of smell to find victims, plenty of stamina for long missions, agility for difficult terrain, able to withstand cold and determination to keep going. Finally, they must be obedient and sociable to work in perfect harmony with their master, other rescuers and avalanche dogs.
What is their role?
The role of an avalanche dog? Quite simply: to save lives!
Thanks to their sense of smell, these dogs find their victims under several metres of snow in record time. Their mission is essential: they guide the ski patrol rescue team directly to the place where the victim can be found, a vital role when every second counts. These agile accomplices play an essential role in the close-knit team, ready to rise to the challenge and save lives!
The profession of a rescue dog handler
No dog without a master! Dog handlers are indispensable for their loyal four-legged friends. From the moment of adoption, a unique relationship is formed, based on trust and communication.
Each day, through different activities and games, handlers educate and train their dogs, to reinforce the precious bond. Thanks to these daily efforts, the dog becomes more skilled and together they form an unbeatable team, ready to take on any challenge!
Real life training: teaching dogs to save lives
Throughout the year, avalanche dogs train at their masters’ sides to develop their sense of smell, speed and agility. At least five times a year, they participate in exercises under real-life conditions.
I had the opportunity to join one of these training sessions in Méribel Mottaret, alongside ski patrollers and their Savoyard dogs. Find out how this unique experience went:
The ski patrollers, aided by a piste-basher and driver, dig a hole in the snow to recreate avalanche conditions. Working as a team, they create a space into which a ‘volunteer victim’ can hide. The aim? To simulate realistic but safe conditions to prepare the dogs for rescue missions. I watch in silence as the stage is set in front of me, admiring the team’s concentration.
Once the hole is ready, it’s my turn to join in! Ready to take on the role of the buried victim, I crawl under the snow, well equipped and in radio contact with the team. It's rather intimidating to be enclosed in this space, and I feel a slight sense of fear. I can't even imagine what you must feel like to really be buried under snow. So, I focus on the mission and stay calm. Meanwhile, the dogs are getting ready for their mission, eager to start their search!
After a few minutes of searching, one of the dogs picks up my scent. He marks the spot and alerts his master. Then he starts to dig. Little by little, I start to see rays of light, then the head of the dog getting close to me. He grabs the sausage I had in my hand and pulls me out with disconcerting strength! The ski patrollers finish the job, releasing me.
I exit the hole in complete safety, very much impressed by what just happened. The dog handler congratulates the dog for his performance, to reinforce the integration of this success into his training. Mission accomplished!
This exercise remains engraved into my memory. From the preparation of the terrain to my role as a test dummy in the snow, up until the dog’s arrival, each step affected me. Taking part in this training was a truly immersive experience, and I realised just how essential their training is when it comes to saving lives. Huge respect for these ace pairs!
Training puppies
Puppies are also put to the test! On the same day as their elders, they take part in a tailored training session, adapted to their age and capabilities. Under the supervision of masters and dog trainers, and as a game, they learn to go in search of a person buried in the snow.
These sessions allow them to develop their natural sense of smell whilst consolidating the bond with their masters. A key step in preparing them for their future as avalanche dogs ready to save lives in the mountains.
Dog handlers and avalanche rescue dogs: our mountain heroes
Dog handlers and their avalanche rescue dogs are essential partners in mountain safety. Whether they are experienced dogs or puppies in training, their efficiency and determination are impressive. The dog’s sense of smell alongside the human guidance allows the team to respond quickly and save lives should an avalanche happen. Dive into the universe of an avalanche rescue dog and discover how these four-legged heroes are trained to save lives.
Find out more about our rescue worker Philippe and his dog Usko on the TV show Télématin.
