Dogs Finding Dogs – Top 5 Escape Artists

This article sponsored by Dogs Finding Dogs.
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Dogs Finding Dogs has been a non-profit charity since 2008 that specializes in K9 search and rescue for missing pets. With more than 4,000 pets returned home, we have seen a pattern in certain breeds of dogs regarding loss and difficult capture.

Shetland Sheepdog

Also known as the “I Miss Nothing and am a Really Fast Sheltie,” this is one of the most beautiful breeds of dog. They are from the herding group, which means they see everything! They will see a trap when it is perfectly disguised. Any movement at all causes them to run. Their eyesight is extremely keen. They are intelligent and agile. We had a case of a Sheltie that took more than one year to catch. We had to constantly keep finding ways to outsmart her—and most of the time she outsmarted us.

Beagle

People get fooled by this cute little dog. With a strong hunt drive accompanied by a very strong sense of smell, this breed goes missing frequently. They see a rabbit, deer or squirrel and off they go. If you have a Beagle, make sure it’s well-leashed. For this breed, we strongly recommend a GPS collar. They have endurance and run far distances. Beagles need to be exercised daily. Families often want the Beagle for apartment living because they are a smaller dog—however, this is not the best choice for this mighty little hunter.

Siberian Husky

A master of escape. Huskies put the “H” in Houdini and need a heavily-fenced yard to prevent escapes. When a Husky goes missing, we put on our running shoes! They love an adventure, and endurance is a key attribute. This breed is very athletic and needs obedience training. Being a working dog, they have a strong will to do what they want to do. They are a loving dog and fit in with multi-dog families well. Like the Beagle, a small investment in a GPS collar will have you prepared to find them quickly.

The Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is an independent guardian dog that will monitor the fields of a farm to warn off predators. It’s a roamer, usually knowing its boundaries. When this breed goes missing, we know that we have to cast a huge net for tens of miles with awareness, flyers and more. One of the most famous cases was during the summer of 2014, when a newly-adopted Great Pyrenees took off in Gettysburg and traveled 57 miles down into Baltimore. The Pyrenees breaks all the rules. It will keep going, never setting up a home base. Don’t get a false sense of security with these dogs. Definitely get them micro-chipped and have a GPS collar on them.

And lastly, the most challenging smart difficult dog to catch is…

The Rhodesian Ridgeback

It is actually a personal favorite of DFD to track because you can see the intelligence in this dog. It really outsmarts us! Bred to hunt lions and big game, this dog is astonishing to watch in action. It will set up a temporary home base in a wood line and then pop out into the area looking for food. However, try to follow him and you will see the Rhodesian Ridgeback has learned every escape route, every nook and cranny in a neighborhood. This dog has a strategy to evade you. It’s smart, athletic and is a thinker. Very difficult to catch. With a GPS collar on to see where he is at, and to track his patterns, is not enough to catch this fellow. It takes great skill and a small army filled with creativity to catch the Ridgeback.

The best advice is for these breeds to have a secure yard for them to exercise in. Keep a GPS collar on them at all times and mostly, do not under-estimate their capabilities. Have them microchipped. Understand their breed characteristics and put a little extra pound of prevention in to keeping them safe. You will have a loving happy dog with you for a very long time.

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This article brought to by Dogs Finding Dog. Dogs Finding Dogs is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of highly trained handlers and dogs that can track and find a lost pet. When we take on a missing pet case, we stay with you until your pet is found. We never turn down a plea for help!