A key job for mountain safety
The avalanche dog handler is a key player in mountain regions like Savoie, where resort safety is a priority.A specialist in snow rescue, this mountain professional intervenes during avalanches to search for and rescue buried victims. Accompanied by his specially trained dog, often a border collie, German or Belgian shepherd, he can detect people under several meters of snow thanks to rigorous training.
Although, like the Patou, it lives in a mountain environment the Patouthe herd protection dog, this canis lupus fulfills a totally different mission. Unlike the Patou, which guards sheep against predators, the avalanche dog is specially trained to detect victims buried under the snow.
Working hand in hand with the ski patrol and resort rescue teams, the dog handler is particularly in demand in the ski areas of Savoie, where avalanche risks are frequent. The job demands excellent physical condition, a close bond with the animal, and a perfect knowledge of the mountains and their dangers. These skills make it an essential pillar in guaranteeing the safety of skiers and hikers in ski resorts.
Cristiano, a life dedicated to mountain safety
Accompanied by his faithful Thor 🐶For 40 years now, Cristiano has been an emblematic figure of La Normawhere with his faithful canine companion. Every morning, at dawn, Cristiano and his dog, Thor, embark on a routine punctuated by patrols and training sessions.
Opening slopes, triggering avalanches, rescuing... Together they experience the days of the pisteurs, Thor being stationed at strategic points in the resort to be able to intervene in the event of an avalanche.
However, the role of this dog and his handler is not limited to staying in their station: they can also be called upon to provide backup throughout the valley, to lend a hand to their colleagues in neighboring stations, particularly when the situation calls for a maximum number of people to be on the ground.
A unique relationship between man and animal
Never one without the otherThe bond between handler and dog is at the heart of this profession. " It's often said among trackers that the dog has the power to smell and the handler has the power to lead," Cristiano emphasizes. This complementarity is crucial for quickly locating victims buried under tons of snow. The dog's exceptional sense of smell enables it to detect human odours, while the handler guides the search and tells it where to look.
This symbiosis is based on years of complicity, but also on rigorous, playful training. Cristiano explains: "We reward our dogs with petting and play. The dog doesn't do it out of conviction - although I'd like to - but out of play!"
The magic tool of dog handlers: the boudin, a small toy used in avalanche training. The seasoned tracker explains how each avalanche dog is trained using this object: during training, the guinea pig who simulates the buried victim holds the pudding in his hands, and for the dog, it's a game where he pulls on it to try and win it.
When an avalanche strikes, it's a team effort involving the trackers, the PGHM, the sounders... and the dog. The dog's role: to help find buried victims as quickly as possible, thanks to play-based training.
A passion for helping others
Being an avalanche dog handler is much more than a job: it's a way of life. Cristiano and his peers embody a total devotion to the mountains and their users. Their mission is as much prevention as intervention, and their work is based on the magical alliance between man and dog.
Flambeau, the vaguemestre dog
Meeting a Patou: what are the right things to do?
