K-9 Handler Requirements

Be certified at least to SARTECH II level by NASAR and pass the TRUSAR Canine Specialist Exam with a grade of 70% or higher.

Be in good physical condition with the ability to work the dog in various types of terrain found in the local area in efforts to complete the assigned task.

Be aware of all field positions on the team and how to properly interact with other team members in a search situation. Handlers should be able to communicate the most effective way to work their dog(s) to both the K-9 Training Director and any flankers that assist.

Participate in K-9 training practices for a minimum of 70% for uncertified dogs and 50% for operational dogs each quarter. - Maintain training logs for their dog(s) indicating the location, date, time, type of training, weather conditions, instructor’s name, names of flankers/helpers, and brief description of the training session.

Be available to respond to a reasonable amount of call-outs throughout the year.

Realize that not all call outs will require the use of their dog(s) and that the use of canines is determined by the K-9 Training Director and staff according to which dogs will be most beneficial to the search.

K9 Handlers are required to have served on at least one search as a flanker prior to their canine becoming fully operational, even if the canine has passed its certification.

Canine Requirements

The dog should not be aggressive towards people or other dogs and under the handler’s control at all times.

The dog should be able to work both on- and off-lead with the exception of tracking/trailing dogs who work on lead.

The dog should be in good physical condition and able to navigate terrain found in local areas with ease. Dogs should maintain a reasonable weight for their breed and height. Dogs with flat/pushed in noses (such as Pit Bulls or other bully breeds, boxers, some mixed breeds, etc.) may not be considered as candidates. Flat nosed dogs have a more difficult time regulating their body temperature in the Texas heat and are more likely to overheat.

All canine candidates will be evaluated by TRUSAR for temperament, hunt drives, reward systems, and scent work prior to being considered for acceptance into the training program. Once accepted, the handler must attend trainings for 1 quarter (3 months) with a 70% attendance minimum before TRUSAR will begin training the dog in scentwork.

The dog should be no more than 3 years of age at the start of training.

The dog should successfully complete the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test or equivalent or higher (i.e. AKC Companion Dog title, Schutzhund I, or BH) by the time the dog is ready to attempt its first SAR certification test.
The dog will be required to complete obedience and agility commands within time frames specified.

All dogs must successfully complete TRUSAR's certification tests for their specific discipline, pass all of their obedience/agility commands, and have a handler who has acquired the NASAR SARTECH II certification and passed TRUSAR's Canine Specialist exam in order to become operational. Operational dogs are retested every 2 years. Canines will also be required to earn at least one national certification.

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