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.