Breeds and Breeding
MineTech International runs a breeding
programme at the Dog School. A great deal of time and
effort is invested in socialising and training
puppies that are born at the school.
The physical appearance of the breeds of
dogs used for mine detection is important. The
breeds must have good colour and pigmentation with
ears that stand erect. The dogs are of normal size
according to breed standards and they must be free
of any sign of hip dysplasia. The dogs also need to
have a highly adaptable and courageous
temperament.
The types of breeds MineTech uses for mine
work are mainly German Shepherds and
Malinois.
   German Shepherd
MineTech uses
German Shepherds because they are loyal, courageous
and quick to learn. This breed is alert to every
sight and sound, nothing escapes their attention.
They are also decidedly suspicious of strangers.
They require plenty of room and exercise and need
careful obedience training when young to fulfill
their potential as a companion and
guard.
At one time called the Alsatian, they are
now known as the German Shepherd, originating in
Germany from long established breeds of herding and
farm dogs. A well-proportioned dog with great
suppleness of limb, their heads are long, lean and
clean cut with broad-based erect ears. They have a
smooth and long-reaching gait with a double coat
made up of a woolly undercoat and a dense,
straight, flat-lying outer coat that requires
regular brushing. The German Shepherd is valued
around the world as a sentry, police dog, tracker,
search and rescue dog and guide dog. That by all
means does not cover all the talents of this
amazing breed.
Malinois
A Malinois is a type of
Belgian Shepherd Dog and these are also used as mine
dogs. The breed is sensitive, responsive and
extremely intelligent, excelling at obedience work.
They have a lively, enquiring mind and, although
wary, are neither timid nor aggressive.
This breed originates from Belgium and the
Malinois takes its name from the town where it
originated. It is a light-footed, medium-sized dog,
squarely built, elegant in outline with a finely
chiselled, long head. The Malinois is short-coated
with an undercoat and colouring ranging in fawn,
grey and red with black tips to hairs.
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