Dog group 🐕🔍

The HSSR dog group is not a working group within the team in the traditional sense, but rather members of the group own and train search dogs in collaboration with the Icelandic Rescue Dog Team. These teams, consisting of a dog and a handler, play an important role in search operations where the dogs' sense of smell can be crucial in finding lost individuals.

A lot of time and effort goes into training search dogs, which often begins immediately after puppies are born. However, there are also examples of older dogs that have achieved good results in search operations.

The teams are specially trained in two main search methods:

  • Wide-area search 🏞️ – Where the dogs search for people in open areas, woodlands or mountainous terrain.
  • Avalanche search ❄️ – Where the dogs are trained to find people who have been caught in avalanches.

Search dogs are an extremely important addition to search and rescue, as they can scan large areas in a short time and locate individuals who may be invisible to humans.

Although the Dog group is not a formal group within the team, the search dogs and their teams are an invaluable part of rescue operations when they are needed. 🐾🚁

Group leaders

  • Anna Karen Jónasdóttir

    Member since : 2022

  • Alexandra Einarsdóttir

    Member since : 2015

  • Helgi Tómas Hall

    Member since : 2010

Group dogs

Rökkvi

Fæðingarár: 2016
Annað: Summer Search: Winter Search: A

Krumma

Fæðingarár: 2020
Annað: Summer Search: A Winter Search:

Asi

Fæðingarár: 2023
Annað: Summer Search: C Winter Search: C

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the dog group do in HSSR?

The dog group consists of members of the search and rescue team who train their search dogs in collaboration with the Icelandic Rescue Dog Team. The group conducts both open-air and avalanche searches with their dogs.

Is the dog group an independent group within HSSR?

No, the dog group is not an actual group within the search and rescue team, but rather the members of the search and rescue team have dogs that they train through the Icelandic Rescue Dog team.

What skills do search dogs need to have?

Search dogs are trained to find people by scent, whether in the open or in an avalanche. They need to have a good work ethic, be willing to search for long periods of time, and be able to work in challenging conditions.

When does search dog training begin?

Training often begins soon after the dogs are born, but there are also examples of older dogs having good success. Training is an ongoing process that continues throughout the dog's working life.

When are dog group members called out?

Search dogs are called out when they are needed in search and rescue missions, whether it is for missing individuals on land or people trapped in an avalanche.