Ukrainian Canine Teams Shine at Belgian Championship
This information was provided by the Center for Service Dog Handling «Strazh» and the Pavlohrad Search and Rescue Canine Unit «Antares».
The 2nd Belgian Shepherd Rescue Championship FMBB SAR 2025 took place from April 16 to 20 in Belgium, featuring 56 participants from 15 countries competing in locating victims under rubble and in natural environments.
Each category required participants to pass several stages: obedience and agility tests along with a search phase.
The Ukrainian team consisted of dog handlers from Pavlohrad, Odesa, and Kyiv, representing the National Club of Belgian Shepherd Owners «Canine Union of Ukraine».
«Our team showcased an exceptional level of training and professionalism, representing our country with honor on the international stage. Special congratulations to our instructor-canine handler Daryna Tytarenko and her Belgian shepherd Haku, who secured 2nd place in the «Search in Technogenic Rubble» and «Obedience» class A categories.»
«For the second time in the history of FCI rescue championships, the Cup goes to Ukraine, and it was Daryna with Haku who brought this victory home!», – proudly stated «Strazh».
19-year-old Mariya Romanova from Pavlohrad and her dog Pulya achieved 4th place in the «Search in Technogenic Rubble, Level B» category.
Meanwhile, Iryna Shvets and her trainee Natsu from Kyiv, representing the SarCan search and rescue team, placed 5th in the «Search in Natural Environment, Level B» category.
Additionally, the four-legged assistants of Odesa's rescue workers participated in a rescue operation under the rubble of a residential building on Dobrovolskyi Avenue after a Russian strike destroyed an entire entrance of a nine-story building, burying 12 people under the debris on March 2, 2024.
