see also: in May 2005 Press Releases:   Machine Readable Passports Required for all Visa Waiver Program Travel as of June 26, 2005   CBP Officers Rescue Screaming Woman at Calexico   CBP Border Patrol Intercepts Over 8 Tons of Marijuana   Brazil Will Participate in Container Security Initiative to Screen Cargo Destined for U.S.   CBP Officers Seize Almost Two Tons of Marijuana at Calexico Port   Tips For U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents Traveling Abroad ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert C. Bonner is pleased to announce that nine Labrador retriever puppies were born on Monday, May 23, at the CBP Canine Enforcement Training Center.

"These nine Labrador retriever puppies are CBP’s next generation of detector dogs. The CBP breeding program enables us to augment our detector dog force and we expect another litter of puppies to be born in the coming weeks. Currently, the breeding program has produced 130 puppies in 20 litters," said Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Field Operations Jayson Ahern.

In September 1998, the United States Customs Service received 12 Australian Customs detector dogs with the working bloodlines necessary for starting a breeding program. These dogs became the nucleus of Customs breeding program. To keep the program going, CBP’s Canine Enforcement Training Center veterinary staff selects top field trial dogs (champion Labrador retrievers in the United States), outside the current gene pool as the sire. All dogs that are candidates for the breeding program are researched for pedigree and background and are either Amateur Field Champions or National Field Champions. These puppies have the genetic make-up and the behavioral traits necessary for high quality detector dogs.

“These new Lab pups will be raised and trained in narcotic and concealed human detection looking for potential terrorists as part of the CBP anti-terrorism mission in protecting our nation’s borders,” said Lee T. Titus, Director of the Canine Enforcement Program. “It is incredible watching these pups grow up to become well-trained detector dogs. This is “Nikki’s” first litter and not only is she a superb detector dog, she was born here at the Canine Center in the puppy program.”

Recruiting dogs capable of being trained for detection work is extremely difficult. Typically only one in every 70 canines recruited is deemed suitable for training. A detector dog needs to possess confidence in unfamiliar environments and have a strong retrieval drive

At the age of 10 - 12 weeks, these puppies will be fostered out to various families. If you are interested in being a foster parent for these or future puppies consult the web site for additional information at www.cbp.gov.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.