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Canine lifeguards hit the beaches of the Costa del Sol
Meet the Super Six: Highly-trained lifeguard dogs of Vélez-Málaga
This summer, as sunbathers relax on the beaches of Vélez-Málaga, a dedicated team of four-legged lifeguards is on a mission to ensure everyone’s safety. Meet Queen, Oso, Mai, Brown, Nancy and Buddy – the six remarkable dogs comprising the MresQ Canine Rescue and Emergency Unit.
With the arrival of the high season, beaches across Spain fill up and lifeguards are in higher demand than ever. However, this popular Costa del Sol town faced a unique challenge: a shortage of human lifeguards. In a creative twist, they decided to ‘hire’ a team of canine lifeguards, a first for Andalucía.
The Super Six, as they’re already being affectionately called, are aged one to seven and are a mix of Newfoundland and Labrador Retrievers, breeds known for their exceptional swimming abilities and keen senses. They are based at the Torre del Mar dog beach, where they captivate bathers with their friendly nature and impressive skills.
Not only are these canine companions trained in water rescue, but they also possess an extraordinary sense of smell, making them ideal for search and rescue operations. Their keen noses can detect victims in inconspicuous waters, where human visibility may be limited, making them invaluable assets to the lifeguard team.
To ensure the dogs’ safety during their aquatic adventures, they will don special life jackets and work alongside their human lifeguard colleagues.
The trend of canine companions joining forces with conservation efforts extends beyond the beaches, too. Over in Alicante, two specially trained dogs from the Oceanogràfic Foundation are volunteering their extraordinary skills to locate and protect sea turtle nests along the coast.
Both of these innovative initiatives enhance beach safety and showcase the incredible capabilities of our four-legged friends, giving an entirely new meaning to ‘the dog days of summer’.
Image: Perros de Málaga/Facebook
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