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rescue dog

British  

noun

  1. a dog trained to assist rescue workers See also search dog

  2. a dog that has been placed in a new home after being abused, neglected, or abandoned by its previous owner

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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Josh is a lecturer at the Allbritton Journalism Institute and the enthusiastic owner of a rambunctious rescue dog named Pepper.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

Mountain rescue, coastguard, drone pilots, and search and rescue dog teams took part in the operation in challenging winter conditions.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

"By only recruiting a rescue dog, it's a win-win -- giving a dog the chance of a new life while helping our iconic koalas," Innovation for Conservation director and handler Russell Miller said.

From Barron's ● May 20, 2026

Finnegan is a shaggy black rescue dog who, for all his good-natured goofiness, carries the guilt and shame of being abandoned by his first owner.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

“You’re lucky I’ve got the greatest rescue dog ever.”

From "Eleven" by Tom Rogers

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