Lowland Search Dogs Kent

Lowland Search Dogs provide a valuable resource to Search and Rescue operations, covering a large area of ground quickly and efficiently. Dogs have an excellent track record of finding missing people.

~ Dog handler: Lesley ~
I joined in 2008 because I wanted to train my dog to be a Search and Rescue dog. Being a Collie she is very active and needs a job to do and although she is involved in Obedience I wanted to do something useful with her.

I am an Administrator for a well known electricity distribution company and have been with them for about five years.

My hobbies include photography and making greeting cards when I have the time. I am also the Treasurer for a dog training club in Kent and instruct at another, in-between training Shannon for Obedience shows and Search and Rescue.

I have owned dogs for over 40 years and it never ceases to amaze me how they understand what we want from them; I sometimes wonder which is the most intelligent species!

~ Shannon ~
My name is Shannon and I was born on an Irish sheep farm in 2005. I was rescued along with my brothers and sisters, from the farmer who was going to drown us all. We were brought over to England by Wiccaweys Border Collie Rescue and that is where my Mum and Dad found me.

I have recently started training as a Search and Rescue dog and I am enjoying it very much. I have also tried Flyball, Agility and Obedience. Agility is really good fun, but we are not doing much at the moment as Mum can't keep up with me and I have to concentrate on my SAR training; maybe we can go back to it next year.

During the day I go to work with my Dad where I get all his work mates to play with me.

My Mum says I am too clever for her own good, whatever that means.

I live with Willow, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

~ Dog handler: Sally ~
Logan and I are new to the unit having only joined in December 2009. I joined because I felt that I wanted my dog to give something back to the community and that he would enjoy the training. Logan is my first Search Dog.

I am a Science teacher in a modern secondary comprehensive school, near to the Kent/Sussex border. I have been teaching for around 4 years and enjoy the variety that it brings.

The remaining time that I have, is spent dog training the public in general Obedience and the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme, for which I am also an assessor. I am an Agility Club recognised Agility instructor and an Obedience Steward.

Logan is Obedience and agility trained to a good level. I have been training dogs for over 20 years, ever since I was a child and enjoy the interaction and rewards that it provides; I also volunteer for the Young Kennel Club and this year have the honour of Judging at Crufts.

~ Logan ~
Hello, my name is Logan and I am a 3 year old Australian Shepherd. Contrary to what my name suggests, I am a breed that originates from America where we are used to herd cattle. People sometimes think that I am a fat Collie, but my Mum and Dad explain.

My mum and I spend a lot of time training at Obedience and Agility, but I think that I like the search and Rescue training best!

I enjoy spending my time chasing balls, playing in water and eating whenever I can. I also love to meet new people, but Mum keeps telling me off because I like to jump up and meet them at their head height.

~ Dog handler: Louise ~

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~ Mali ~

~ Dog Handler: Dave ~

I'm a qualified dive leader with the British Sub-Aqua Club, I am also a dyslexic author, with work displayed internationally in the UK, Eire, Australia and America.

I have undertaken bank search team training.

At some stage I would like to train my own dog for search and rescue.

For my goal in life, I would like to make a difference.

~ Teddy ~

~ Dog Handler: Mel ~

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~ Pedro ~
Pedro was kindly donated to Lowland Search Dogs Kent by Keith and Victoria Hankins of RAF Fairford. Pedro is a lively Flat Coated Retriever who Mel hopes will become a search dog in the future. He's already starting obedience training and doing very well !

If anyone is interested in the Flat Coated Retriever breed or would like any information on using this breed for search and rescue, please visit the Flat Coated Retriever Society website for details.

~ Dog Handler: Tania Butler ~

~ Flick ~

~ Dog Handler: Rhia Butler ~