The National Search And Rescue Dog Association
Maple Barn, Canterbury Road, Molash, Kent CT4 8HF
National Standards
NSARDA maintain a documented Guidance, Criteria and Standard covering the assessment process for our search dogs. These are discipline specific.
We also have National Assessment Forms that are used by the National Assessors at all assessments. These are also discipline specific.
In terms of suitability of dogs and handlers we have documented Acceptance and Control Tests. The Acceptance test relates to the suitability of the dog to be accepted into training whereas the Control Test is to ensure the dog can work safely off a line in the vicinity of Live Stock so we know that no harm will come to these animals during training and live searches.
If you look at the photos of our dogs you will see that they mostly sport colored tags. These tags are to identify to farmers and others that the dog they see roaming around their land is a stock tested search dog that is qualified or in training.
The YELLOW Tag is given to a dog & handler when they pass the Control Test, some Associations call these Stock Tests.
The GREEN Tag is given to a Dog & Handler when they have also passed their acceptance Test and have been formally accepted into the training program.
The RED Tag is given to a Dog & Handler when they have passed an Assessment,. They are then Qualified and added to the call out list. These dogs are the ones that are deployed to live searches for high risk vulnerable missing people.
our dog profiles
Meet the Dogs
We have profiles for our wonderful dogs with interesting information, a story, some image and videos.
Whether they are in training, operational, retired or fallen, they are our absolutely amazing fluffies!
View Nowour member associations
Meet the Members
We have profiles for our Member Associations with details and contact information.
Our Associations are integrated with Lowland & Mountain Rescue Teams.
View Nowwhat search dogs do
Types of Missing Person Search Dog
We have lots of information to explain the different types of missing person search dogs we train and qualify.
View NowGifts in Wills
Your legacy will save Lives
We will send you a guide to explain how to update your Will to support the amazing work of the NSARDA Search Dogs.
Request GuideDetailsyou can help us in so many ways
How Can I Help ?
It's not just about money.
We need access to land for training.
We also need dogs bodies who are willing to hide out for the dogs to find.
Find Out MoreNational Standards
All of our Search Dogs are assessed to a set of Nationally agreed Guidelines and Standards so that each dog in each individual discipline is qualified to a consistently high standard, hence we call them standards. Combined with the use of independent National Assessors at all search dog assessments we maintain a very robust system and processes so that our Partners have confidence in the capability of our qualified dogs and handlers.
Every Search Dog Team - Dog & Handler - go through a rigorous assessment process.
Each assessment follows the guidance, criteria and assessment process for each discipline and is overseen by a National Assessor.
The dog & handler will be represented by their own Internal Assessors.
Dog handlers can work solo if required.
The RED Tag is given to a Dog & Handler when they have passed an Assessment,. They are then Qualified and added to the call out list. These dogs are the ones that are deployed to live searches for high risk vulnerable missing people.
The GREEN Tag is given to a Dog & Handler when they have passed their acceptance Test and have been formally accepted into the training program.
The YELLOW Tag is given to a dog & handler when they pass the Control Test, some Associations call these Stock Tests.
The RED Tag is key as this can only be issued to a Qualified dog, which means they are Control or Stock Tested.. Some dogs may be sporting all the colours or possibly just the red one.
Here's a number of dogs from Member Association SARDA Ireland, just after they all were awarded their GREEN Tags.