Search and Rescue Teams

At Battle Buddies Therapy Dogs, we’ve chosen for our first handler teams a breed that may surprise some—bullmastiffs. While they may not be the first dog that comes to mind when people think of search and rescue, these gentle giants are uniquely suited for the job. Their history, temperament, and physical traits make them exceptional partners not just in the field, but in the homes and lives of the veterans and families we serve. We are proud to currently be training our first SAR teams for our veteran handlers.

What makes bullmastiffs even more special is their personality. Despite their imposing size, they are affectionate, loyal, and deeply intuitive. These dogs bond closely with their people, making them natural candidates for therapy and service work as well. They respond well to calm environments, thrive on routine and structure, and seem to have an innate ability to detect distress or discomfort in humans. Their balanced temperament means they’re just as comfortable walking slowly through a crowded hospital hallway as they are navigating an open field on a SAR mission. They’re steady under pressure, gentle with children and the elderly, and exceptionally attuned to their handler’s emotions and body language. 

The bullmastiff was originally bred in 19th-century England as the "Gamekeeper's Night Dog." These dogs were tasked with silently tracking and apprehending human poachers on large estates. Unlike other protection breeds, bullmastiffs were never meant to bite or harm the people they located. Instead, their job was to track down intruders quickly and then pin them to the ground and hold them there using their massive size and calm control until the gamekeeper arrived.

That same breeding makes them incredibly well-suited for live human search and rescue (SAR) work. A bullmastiff can silently track a missing person through dense brush, uneven terrain, or wooded wilderness. And once they find the person in need, their instinct isn’t to bark or bite—it’s to lie down on or beside them, staying still and keeping them warm until help arrives. In harsh conditions, this behavior can quite literally save lives.

Of course, every dog is unique. A bullmastiff’s behavior—like that of any dog—is shaped by a combination of genetics, environment, and individual personality. That’s why our training program at Battle Buddies focuses not just on obedience, but on relationship-building, trust, and matching each dog’s strengths to the needs of their future handler. We start with strong genetics—choosing dogs from lines known for stability, health, and temperament. We then raise them in a supportive, enriching environment with positive reinforcement training. Finally, we spend time getting to know each dog as an individual before assigning them a role as a SAR, therapy, or service dog.