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Covid-19 Sniffing Detection Dogs
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America is
facing a shortage of K-9 sniffers to
thwart domestic terrorists
Purpose Raised Puppies
2020 Conference – Cancelled Due To Covid-19 Pandemic
The 2020 Conference will be replaced
with webinars.
Visit
the AKC Detection Dog Task Force
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“The capability they (Military Working Dogs) bring to the fight cannot be replicated by man or machine. By all measures of performance their yield outperforms any asset we have in our inventory. Our Army (and Military) would be remiss if we failed to invest more in this incredibly valuable resource. – General David H. Petraeus”
"The global demand
for highly trained, explosive detection
dogs is only increasing. Despite
technological advances in almost every
facet of security, when it comes to
explosives detection, dogs remain the
most accurate, cost-effective, and
reliable way of locating explosives. As
a result, law enforcement agencies
across the world are in heated
competition to acquire the most suitable
dogs for these tasks." – Sheila
Goffe, AKC Detection Dog Task Force
Final Bill Signed Into Law in 2018
American Kennel Club Working To Increase Domestic Detection Dog Supply
AKC Detection Dog Task Force
Shortage of Explosive Detection Dogs
Pentagon Best Bomb Detector is a Dog
Supporting National Security Defense, Purpose-Bred Dog
Breeding & Standards for U.S. Bomb-Sniffing Dogs
AKC Detection Dog Task Force FAQ's
Why is there a shortage of
domestic detection dogs?
Following the events of 9-11, the demand
for scent detection dogs for use in
search and rescue, as well as explosives
detection, began to grow and has
steadily risen since. Recent events,
including the 2016 bombings in Brussels
and New York City, have accelerated the
interest in detection dogs. Nowadays, it
is not just governments and militaries
that are seeking dogs. Non-governmental
demand across the developed world is
also increasing, especially by private
entities tasked with protecting malls,
movie theaters, sports complexes,
schools and universities.
Most
U.S. government agencies are relying
almost exclusively on the importation of
working dogs from Europe to meet their
needs. Most private working dog trainers
and private providers of security
services in the U.S. are also dependent
on European sources.
American
experts in the importation and training
of working dogs claim that for many
years the U.S. has received less than
the best picks of the litters in Europe,
as the best dogs tend to be retained for
use in Europe. However, due to the
growing terrorism threats and consequent
demand for working dogs within Europe
and around the world, there is now a
shortage of even mediocre quality
foreign dogs available to protect the
United States. U.S. Department of
Homeland Security and Department of
Defense (DOD) officials say there is a
need to develop a national source of
dogs that meets the standards for this
work and that can be made available to
government agencies.
There are
currently an estimated 10,000 working
dogs in the United States, including
dogs working in government, military,
law enforcement, and private facilities.
About 20 percent of working dogs retire
each year. Working dogs typically go to
work at 18 months to 2 years of age and
have an average working life of five
years before retirement.
The (DOD)
operates a small breeding program,
primarily for Belgian Malinois, at its
kennels at Lackland Air Force Base in
San Antonio, TX, but the program cannot
meet the total need so the (DOD) purchases
most of its dogs in Europe. The
Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) had its own detection dog breeding
program for primarily Labrador
Retrievers until shutting it down in
2012 due to budget cuts.
AKC
Vice President of Government Relations
Sheila Goffe testified at a
congressional hearing in October
regarding the dire need for more dogs to
protect the country. “Experts
recognize that there is no better or
more efficient way to detect explosives
than through the use of high quality,
specially trained scent detector dogs.
Since the terrorist attacks on 9-11, and
subsequent attacks worldwide, global
demand for high quality explosives
detection dogs has skyrocketed,” Goffe
said. “A shortage of appropriate,
domestically-bred dogs available for
work as explosive detection dogs
presents a significant threat to U.S.
security.”
Why is the
American Kennel Club involved in this
issue?
The AKC Board of
Directors formed a task force to study
this issue and how AKC could assist
after receiving requests for help from
government and academic officials. AKC
has always been a leader in purpose-bred
pure-bred dogs, and it is purpose-bred
pure-bred dogs that have the skills,
ability and breeding to produce the
traits needed for detection dogs to
successfully do their important jobs. It
is a natural role for AKC to assist in
meeting this national need to protect
our country, and a great opportunity to
promote the incredible abilities of
pure-bred dogs. The AKC’s support of
this issue demonstrates to the American
public that purebred dogs bred by
thoughtful, purposeful, American
breeders are vital to the safety and
security of their country.”
How is AKC working to solve the
shortage?
The AKC Detection
Dog Task Force is helping spread
awareness of the issue with breeders of
the most in-demand dogs. The Government
Relations team is working to change
government policy to make it easier and
more advantageous for breeders to sell
dogs to the government and make the
government more accountable for the
amount they are paying to import
European dogs. AKC also has helped bring
the many interested parties together to
discuss this issue through the AKC US
Detection Dog Conference, first held in
2017 and the second one scheduled for
August 2018.
What breeds
are most in demand for detection dog
work?
Sporting breeds are
the most in demand for explosives
detection work in public settings.
Breeds that excel at the work include
Labrador Retrievers, German Shorthaired
Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers,
Vizslas and Golden Retrievers. Sporting
breeds have been found to be less
intimidating to the public and their
keen noses and hunting ability are
easily transferred to the search for
explosives. German Shepherd
and Belgian Malinois are still the
preferred breeds for patrol work and
dual-purpose patrol/detection dogs.
At what age are the dogs
purchased for detection dog training?
The US Government and most private
detection dog training schools seek
older puppies that are at least 10
months old, with 12 months being
preferable. Some private programs are
now accepting younger puppies since it
can be more difficult to get older
puppies that have also had the desired
early socialization and foundation
training.
What is a
“green “dog and is it defined in writing
somewhere?
A green dog is an
informal term used to describe a dog
that has not undergone advanced
detection work training. It is not
defined in the government requirements
for potential detection dogs. Most dogs
presented to the government for sale at
around 1 year of age are categorized as
green dogs. This does not mean that a
“green” dog has not received any
training. They are expected to have been
prepped for the government evaluation
which includes socialization to a
variety of people and places; exposure
to walking on different surfaces, steps
and elevated areas; and has developed
toy drive for a ball, Kong or another
toy.
What is the
government willing to pay for a puppy
and at what age will they purchase them?
The government will
evaluate dogs starting at about 10
months of age and average price for a
“green” dog is about $8,000. Private
detection dog schools also purchase
candidates and some take younger dogs,
including puppies as young as 8 weeks.
Prices vary from private channels,
depending on age, pedigree and other
factors.
Where will the
pups be taken for evaluation? Do I ship
them or they do pick them up?
The TSA and Department of Defense
conducts evaluations at its training
center at Lackland Air Force Base in San
Antonio, Texas. It is up to the seller
to bring the dog to Lackland, where the
dog will be left for evaluation for up
to 10 days. At this time, only brokers
with government contracts can sell to
the government. Private vendors do buy
from private breeders and have different
requirements, and many do travel to
kennels around the country to evaluate
dogs.
Will there be any
meetings or seminars I can attend to
learn more and meet others?
Yes, the third annual AKC US
Detection Dog Conference will be held in
Aug. 27-27, 2019, in Durham, NC. There
will be special workshops focused on
breeding, socializing and early training
of detection dog prospects as well as
other pertinent information on the
issue. For more information, contact
e-mail:
DetectionDog@akc.org
AKC Detection Dog Task Force
Mission Statement: The American Kennel Club (AKC), the oldest and largest dog registry in the country, will provide assistance to the US Government and AKC breeders to improve the domestic supply of dogs for explosive detection training by raising the awareness of obstacles, exploring multiple solutions, educating key stake holders, and fostering collaboration for continuous improvement.
Issue: With incidents of homegrown terrorism and mass shootings on the rise, explosives detection is a growing need for government agencies and private businesses. Dogs have amazing scenting capabilities and are the best explosives detectors. The United States has relied on Europe for most its working dogs and now is facing a shortage of dogs for detection work, due to overseas demand for detection dogs. The AKC has formed a task force to examine how it can assist with this national security issue.
Government Regulation Revisions: The AKC Government Relations team is working to make it easier and more advantageous for domestic breeders to sell to the government. The AKC was instrumental in submitting key language to HR 2810, which will require the Department of Defense to provide regular reporting on questions related to the sourcing of military working dogs, including the number of dogs purchased from domestic vs. non-domestic breeders, the costs associated with each, information on the difference in accounting for domestic vs. European dog purchases; and how they determine which dogs to get.
Breeder Outreach: Most breeders are unaware that there is a need for dogs to be trained for explosives detection work. The most in-demand breeds for public detection work are sporting dogs, including Labrador Retrievers, German Shorthair Pointers, German Wirehair Pointers, and Vizslas. The AKC is conducting outreach to breeders through articles, meetings and presentations to kennel clubs and national parent clubs.
Raising Awareness and Bringing Stakeholders Together: The AKC has met with many stakeholders in the detection dog field, including TSA and Department of Defense officials, university scientists who are working to improve the dogs and their performances, and private businesses that train and sell the dogs and provide security services through handler-dog teams. AKC hosted its first US Detection Dog Conference in 2017 and hosted its second US Detection Dog Conference on Aug. 28-30, 2018, in Durham, NC. The goal is to stimulate discussions among key players on how to solve this national security crisis. The third conference was held August 27th – 29th, 2019 in Durham NC.
How to get involved:
You are invited to the AKC US Detection
Dog conference. If you are a breeder or
owner of the needed breeds, spread the
word. Let your clubs know about this
issue. For more information, e-mail:
DetectionDog@akc.org
Home Growing Our Heroes
ATF Accelerant and Explosives Detection
Homeland Security Explosive Detection
2017 AKC Working Dog Detection Project Conference
by Dr. Carmen Battaglia
TSA Training Center Fact Sheet
What Does Bred With H.E.A.R.T. Mean?
HEALTH: Certifying that your breeding stock is health tested in accordance with the recommendations of their breed’s
American Kennel Club (AKC) Breed Parent Club.
EDUCATION: Promising that you will pursue AKC-provided or AKC-approved continuing breeder education so that you stay educated on the best breeding practices, including advances in canine health.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Agreeing to comply with the AKC Care and Conditions Policy, including inspections by the AKC, and promising to share health testing and continuing education documentation with AKC.
RESPONSIBILITY: Accepting responsibility for the health and well-being of the puppies you produce and for complying with all laws regarding the ownership and maintenance of dogs.
TRADITION: Upholding the AKC’s tradition of breeding purebred dogs that are happy and healthy.
"...By the way, there is nothing better than a good old fashioned German Shepherd..."
- President Donald Trump, February 11, 2019 in a speech in El Paso Texas -
Fun Fact: When the call came on September 11, 2001, K-9 Apollo was the first Search And Rescue
(SAR) dog to arrive at the South Tower of the World Trade Center with his handler, Peter Davis.
Appollo was a German Shepherd dog. The pair arrived 15 minutes after the collapse to a scene a total chaos. Apollo wasted no time getting to work assisting the injured victims and at one point, was almost
killed by falling debris and fire. His life was only spared as he was wet from recently falling into a large pool of water. In hopes of finding living victims, Apollo
bravely worked 18 hours a day for several weeks. He was given a daily bath to wash his body of the dangerous contaminants located at the scene and all the while, provided
workers with moral support. In 2001, Apollo received the American Kennel Club Ace award. On March 5, 2002, he was given the Dickin Medal (along with Salty and Roselle) on behalf of all search dogs
who participated in the 9/11 rescue effort. Apollo died in November 2006 after suffering from health problems.
Note: Many dogs used in the 9/11 rescue developed health issues from
continually sniffing dangerous contaminants...