The Nine Edges
Team Search Dogs
Edale Team currently has 2 operational search dogs. The dogs and handlers are also members of the Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA). SARDA oversee the training and assessment of search dog teams assuring that high standards and competency is firstly achieved and then maintained throughout the dogs working life.
All SARDA handlers have to be full members of mountain rescue teams for a minimum of 12 months prior to starting training their dog. All SARDA training is in addition to whatever training requirements their respective teams have.
It generally takes between 18 and 24 months for a dog to become reliable and competent enough for it to undertake the rigorous assessments that SARDA sets. It is not until these assessments are passed that a dog team is allowed to work operationally.