IT’S not always humans who deserve rewards for bravery and heroism, as Taz the border collie has proved.

The 11-year-old is the senior search dog at Trossachs Search and Rescue in Scotland and, along with handler Gayle Wilde, has been on the scene of some shocking and heart-breaking incidents in his nine-year career.

The pair, who are on call 365 days a year and work entirely voluntarily, searched the Clutha pub in Glasgow for casualties after a police helicopter crash in 2013.

Other searches have included murder victim Suzanne Pilley in Arrochar in 2010, an exploded electrical sub-station in Dunipace in 2013 and trying to locate missing fisherman Paul Alliston in the Outer Hebrides in 2016.

His efforts have led the former stray to make the finalists of the Crufts Friends for Life competition from the category of Extraordinary Life of a Working Dog. The finalists gathered at the Kennel Club headquarters on Clarges Street, central London, for the official launch.

And the secret to his relentless work rate? The promise of his toy ball on a rope, according to Gayle.

“The reason why it’s such a high value for him is that there’s nothing like it in the house,” she said.

“He has tennis balls too – squeaky tennis balls are another favourite – but he never sees this thing at any other time other than when we’re searching, which makes the value and drive later.

“He’s brave – he goes into environments which can be dangerous, complicated and intimidating and for him to go in there and search pile for casualties is just amazing.

“I’ve had him since he was about 13 weeks old – I picked him up from Bandeath Stray Dog Shelter – he’s amazing. We’ve got a unique and close bond and he’s my left hand, so to speak.”

Friends for Life is a celebration of just how much dogs change and improve people’s lives. Five of the finalists will go to the 127th edition of Crufts – where every dog has its day – held once again at the NEC in Birmingham, where the winner will be announced on Sunday, March 11.

People can vote for the dog they want to win by visiting the Crufts website, with the victor receiving £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to donate to a dog charity of their choice and runners-up £1,000.

While the winning dog will undoubtedly have its day, Gayle has been bowled over by the stories in the Friends for Life competition and is relishing the chance to go to the NEC next week for the big announcement with her new-found friends.

“We’ve never been to Crufts before,” she said. “It will be an experience and a half! I’m sure there will be lots of stalls and I think the atmosphere will be electric.

“To be part of the whole Crufts experience, from a competitive side than just visiting, will be really unique.

“It’s been great - we’ve all clicked quite well and I think I’ve made Friends for Life out there!

“They’re a lovely bunch and every dog is amazing out there. Whoever wins is a worthy victor.”

People can vote for the dog they want to win by visiting the Crufts website, with the victor receiving £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to donate to a dog charity of their choice and runners-up £1,000.