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A poodle saves lives on the Andalusian coast: Nilo joins the canine rescue team in Málaga
With his white coat, a life jacket snug against his chest and sunscreen on his snout, Nilo does not go unnoticed on Las Lindas beach, near Málaga.
This two-year-old giant poodle has just become the newest member of the canine rescue team, which until now was made up exclusively of Labradors.
Nilo works alongside his handler, canine instructor Miguel Sánchez-Merenciano, who enters the water first to locate the swimmer in trouble and then calls Nilo or other dogs to help tow the person back to shore.
Although Labradors and Newfoundlands are common in these teams because of their strength and affinity for water, the poodle is not as unusual a choice as it might seem. Originally from Germany, poodles were once used for waterfowl hunting in lakes in northern Europe. In fact, their name comes from the German verb puddeln, which means "to splash."
Nilo, who was once afraid of noise and crowds, has overcome his fears through gradual training. Today, he swims with pinpoint precision, uses his tail as a rudder, and proves that canine intelligence can also save lives.