The Ultimate Search-and-Rescue Dog Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Ultimate Search-and-Rescue Dog Quiz
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About This Quiz

Search-and-Rescue dogs carry out important, life-saving missions on a day-to-day basis. Learn about their training and what motivates them to do this often dangerous work by taking this quiz.
What makes a search-and-rescue dog go through wild terrain to search out a missing person?
its play drive
its sympathy for lost humans
its inherent discipline and courage
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Surprisingly, search-and-rescue-dogs are drawn even into wild terrain because of their play drive.

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There are two parts to the job of a search-and-rescue (SAR) dog. What are they?
1)sniff out the territory; 2)indicate when something of interest has been identified
1)use eyes, ears and nose to familiarize itself with the environment; 2)follow any possible paths to find missing humans
1)find the origin of a human scent; 2)indicate to the handler where it is
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A SAR dog's job is to find the origin of a human scent and to indicate to its handler where that scent is.

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If a SAR dog's search value were to be weighed against that of a human searcher, what would the ratio be?
one dog does the work of 10-20 human searchers (1:20)
one dog does the work of 20-30 human searchers (1:30)
one dog does the work of 40-50 human searchers (1:50)
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to experts, one SAR dog can accomplish the same as 20 to 30 human searchers (or 1:30).

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When a SAR dog sniffs out a human scent, what is it looking for?
a trace of blood from a live or dead person
a live person
any scent connected with a human: a live person, dead body, tooth or article of clothing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Any human scent is possible. This could be in the form of a live person, a dead body, a human tooth or an article of clothing.

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Humans constantly shed dead skin cells and this is the scent that SAR dogs pick up. What are these cells called?
tissue
rafts
cellulose
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The dead skin cells are called rafts.

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Which of these breeds is a popular choice as a SAR dog?
Doberman
terrier
German shepherd
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The most popular breed is a German shepherd. Other popular breeds for SAR work include Labrador and border collie.

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A tracking dog follows the trail of one human scent. What is the most crucial issue for a tracking dog?
lots of space to work in
time
the association the tracker has with that scent
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The most crucial issue is time. If, say, a child goes missing, the tracking dog goes with its nose to the ground in search of the child's trail, but it must do so before someone contaminates the trail.

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Although SAR dogs can pick up the scent of a human body that is completely immersed in water, they can't pinpoint its exact location. Why?
because the body is constantly moving
because of the movement of water currents
because their senses aren't sharp enough
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Moving water currents make it difficult for the dog to determine the exact location.

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Why did firefighters and handlers hide in the rubble at Ground Zero in 2001?
to give the SAR dogs living people to find
to train them what to look for
to see if the dogs were adequately prepared
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

SAR dogs can become discouraged if they find only dead bodies, so firefighters hid in the rubble to "reward" the dogs with live people.

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The K-9 Search-and-Rescue Team defines three skill levels. The first is basic obedience. What are the other two?
motivation to learn and physical agility
canine professionalism and physical/mental ability
willingness to work long hours and comfortability with the outdoors
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The other two skills levels are canine professionalism and physical, as well as mental, ability. To work with K-9, a SAR dog has to pass all three levels.

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When a tracking dog is tested, what does K-9 do to make it hard for the dog?
They put distractions and obstacles in the way.
They taint the original scent.
They deprive the dog of sleep beforehand.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

They put all manner of distractions and obstacles along the way to test if the dog can keep to its mission successfully.

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How many hours with the handler are usually required for SAR training?
200
600
1000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

About 600 hours of training are required for field readiness.

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In SAR work, what is meant by "victim loyalty"?
staying with the person (or victim) while alerting the handler to his location
living permanently with the victim as a reward for saving his life
being loyal to the underdog (as opposed to the victimizer)
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It means remaining with the victim or injured person, while barking to the handler to indicate its whereabouts. This is in contrast to other SAR work, whereby the dog leaves the located person and runs back for help.

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What attribute must a SAR dog have in order to perform tasks that are not necessarily instinctive?
stamina
resolve
confidence
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It must have confidence. Stamina and resolve might be helpful, too, but just in order to see the "game" through to the end. Of greater priority is its confidence.

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Why are searching conditions better for a SAR dog at night?
because of the air currents
because of its superior night vision
because there are less noise distractions
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The way the air currents move at night make better search conditions for a SAR dog than daytime searches.

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How often do SAR dogs get vacation?
once a year
once every five years
never
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The nature of their job is such that they work 24-7, 365 days a year with no vacations at all.

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During a search, if a SAR dog gives a full-blown alert at a particular location, what happens?
the handler notes the location
everyone mobilizes
he is rewarded
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a full-blown alert, it's all hands on deck. Everyone mobilizes to search that location, including digging through snow, moving rubble, etc.

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Why does the handler play with the dog even after the missing person is found dead?
because he feels bad for the dog
to relieve the tension
because the dog is constantly engaged in play
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The whole SAR task is a game to the dog. Playing with the dog indicates to it that the dog's won the game.

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When do SAR dogs retire?
from the age of five to eight
from the age of eight to 10
from the age of 10 to 12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A SAR dog is retired from work usually between the ages of eight and 10.

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Why did some SAR dogs retire early after 9/11?
because of extreme stress and health problems
because they were rewarded for their sterling achievements
because they had done enough for mankind
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Unfortunately, some SAR dogs suffered extreme stress and health problems after 9/11. For this reason, they retired early.

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