The Center for Service Dog Training ‘Strazh’ and the Pavlograd Search and Rescue Canine Unit ‘Antares’ have shared updates on the achievements of Ukrainian dog handlers.
The 2nd FMBB SAR 2025 Championship for Belgian Shepherd Rescue Dogs took place in Belgium from April 16 to 20, as part of the annual multidisciplinary world championship. A total of 56 teams from 15 countries competed in the skill of locating missing persons under debris and in natural environments.
Participants in each category had to go through several stages, including obedience and agility tests, along with search missions.
The Ukrainian team was represented by canine units from Pavlograd, Odesa, and Kyiv, all members of the National Club of Belgian Shepherd Owners ‘Canine Union of Ukraine’.
“Our team demonstrated an impressive level of preparation and professionalism, proudly representing Ukraine on the international stage. Special recognition goes to our instructor Darina Tytarenko and her Belgian Shepherd Haku, who achieved 2nd place in the ‘Search in Technogenic Collapse’ and ‘Obedience’ Class A categories.
This is the second time in history that the FCI Cup returns to Ukraine, thanks to Darina and Haku!” – reported ‘Strazh’ with pride.
19-year-old Maria Romanova from Pavlograd and her dog Pulya secured 4th place in the ‘Search in Technogenic Collapse, Level B’ category.
Meanwhile, Iryna Shvets and her dog Natsu from Kyiv, representing the SarCan rescue team, placed 5th in the ‘Search in Natural Environment, Level B’ category.
Interestingly, the four-legged helpers of Odesa’s rescuers participated in a rescue operation under the rubble of a residential building on Dobrovolskyi Avenue after a devastating Russian drone strike destroyed an entire wing of a nine-story building, burying 12 people on March 2, 2024.
