Dogs make amazing pets as a huge number of us can attest to, having decided to welcome many new pups into our homes over the last couple of years.
Kennel Club figures show dog ownership soared over the global pandemic and have continued to rise since.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
Some dogs also excel in any number of important jobs, having the perfect range of attributes to carry out tasks.
For example, their day jobs can range from herding sheep to guiding blind and partially-sighted people about their daily lives.
What’s more, they are also experts at finding people – whether it’s criminals trying to evade arrest or the victims of natural disasters.
These are the 10 breeds that make the best search and rescue dogs.
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5. Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a close cousin of the Bloodhound and is a similarly great tracker. Running slightly closer to the ground, they have traditionally been used more to track small animals, but are also experts at sniffing out humans. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

6. German Shepherd
There's not much that the German Shepherd can't do - being a favourite breed for poliice, army and fire duties. Their incredible urge to please their handler and dedication to their demands, means they are also useful for search and rescue tasks. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

7. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands were bred to help out fishermen and can swim in even the coldest waters - making them a top choice to rescue drowning swimmers. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

8. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is the world's most popular dog and are a jack of all trades when it comes to search and rescue duties - being strong swimmers, fast runners, and able to track well. They are particularly good in disaster recovery situations. Photo: Canva/Getty Images