The phrase “dog days of summer” has taken on a whole new meaning for tourists on some of Italy’s beaches, where, as well as the traditional human lifeguard, they may well see a red-uniformed dog.

The dogs, mostly breeds such as Labradors, Newfoundlands and Golden Retrievers which are naturally comfortable in the water, are trained from puppyhood for at least two years in special schools run by the Italian Civil Protection Agency. They are taught to recognise signs of distress in swimmers and use their keen hearing and sense of smell to locate those in trouble. When not rushing to a rescue, they sit with their human counterparts on the beach, listening for screams and constantly scanning the sea for bathers who are waving their arms.

Sometimes a dog lifeguard will tow its handler out to sea so that the human lifeguard has enough strength left to administer first aid to the person in trouble. The dogs are incredibly strong and can tow a chain of three people back to the shore. They are trained to grab a swimmer with their teeth or a conscious swimmer can hold a harness attached to the dog.

The fearless animals can jump from boats or jet skis and even leap from helicopters to effect a rescue.

Italy began training canine lifeguards in the 1980s and three hundred dogs are now certified to work as lifeguards on the country’s beaches. There are twelve special training schools and tourists and locals alike love the dogs.