Excellent first post, KenOTBC! Very nice, indeed.

Going back to the original question, I wouldn't go out and acquire a dog as part of a 'survival strategy'. If you want a dog, get one that you would get for a pet and then work with it.

And remember that dogs don't really think, they associate. They're not going to think a problem through and then do what is best. Even a trained dog can revert to instinct, as in the case of Bane, the still-missing Michigan police dog.

Bane was on-lead, assisting in a search for a dementia patient in the woods. He got tangled in some brush, his handler disconnected his leash to free him, and just then a deer bolted by, and Bane took off after it. This was in November of last year, and he hasn't been found yet.
Find Bane

A strong connection with your dog is probably going to be worth more than all the training you can provide.

Sue