Thanks for the warm welcome guys!

Dweste, I wouldn't get a dog just as a survival aid. Way too expensive in time and money. Only get a dog if you love dogs.

Police dog handlers love dogs - its very competitive to become a police dog handler. Same with army dog handlers and customs dog handlers. To spend so much time training a dog you HAVE to love it.

If you do love dogs then why not? Its good to have a goal for training, so long as that goal is realistic. Just don't underestimate the time and money required though. Expensive for a survival aid but cheap for a best mate.