|  |  | Detector Dog FAQs
(12/12/2008)| Q: | How long has CBP been using dogs to search for narcotics, currency, smuggled agriculture products, and dangerous materials? | | A: | Detector dogs were introduced on a wide scale in April 1970 as part of a major effort, by the then U.S. Customs Service to interdict narcotics being smuggled through major air/sea and land border ports. |
| Q: | How are detector dogs used? | | A: | Teams consisting of a dog and officer are used to screen arriving aircraft, cargo, baggage, mail, ships, vehicles, and passengers. |
| Q: | What types of dogs are used for this work? | | A: | The CEP uses a wide variety of dogs including, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and many mixed breeds. The Agriculture side of the canine program uses Beagles as well. The most important factor in selecting detector dogs for training is not its breed, but the extent of enthusiasm the dog displays toward retrieving a given object. All potential CBP dogs are tested to see if they possess the inherited traits that make them a likely candidate for detection training. Many dogs are tested, but relatively few are procured. Dogs used by the CEP can be of either sex, but must be between 1 and 3 years of age. |
| Q: | How does the CEP obtain its dogs? | | A: | Dogs that are selected for training are obtained from animal shelters, humane societies and rescue leagues, primarily in the Eastern and Midwestern part of the United States. Many of these dogs are unadoptable and would have to be destroyed. Dogs meeting the entrance qualifications are also taken as donations from private owners. Some dogs are purchased through contract vendors. Several years ago, the CEP began breeding program to provide additional detector dogs to the program. As the CEP detector dog program grows, we continue to look for new and better ways to recruit dogs. |
| Q: | Where are the dogs trained? | | A: | OFO canines are trained at the Canine Enforcement Training Center and occasionally satellite facilities, when warranted. The Agriculture dogs are trained at the National Detector Dog Training Center. |
| Q: | What are the dogs taught to find? | | A: | The CEP narcotic detector dogs are taught to detect concealed narcotics, such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, methamphetamine, and other dangerous substances. Some dogs are trained to detect either currency, concealed humans, agriculture products or dangerous materials that could be used by terrorists. While the dogs are trained to detect specific odors, the officers are trained how to effectively utilize the detector dogs, and to enhance the detection capabilities. Officers are also instructed in the various areas of Customs law, Immigration law, agency regulations, policies and procedures, proper firearms techniques, use of force issues and non-lethal control procedures. |
| Q: | What is the typical workday for an OFO canine team? | | A: | Canine teams work a full 8-hour day. Teams assigned to airports and seaports alternate between examining aircraft, vessels, baggage, cargo, mail, as well as passengers. Teams stationed at land border crossings devote their time to examining vehicles and merchandise entering the United States. Canine teams can be utilized to search for a trained odor in most any area imaginable. During every workday, canine teams conduct training exercises to enhance the dog's performance in the work environment. Officers also respond to requests for detector dog services from other agencies and off-sight sources on a limited basis. CBP Officers are also responsible for the general health and care of their assigned detector dog. |
| Q: | How do dogs compare with people in examining vehicles, cargo, or mail? | | A: | At border ports a canine team can examine a vehicle in 5 to 6 minutes. Even a cursory search by a CBP Officer without a canine would require at least 20 minutes. Canines can check packages in a fraction of the time needed by mail examiners. A canine team can process 400 to 500 packages in approximately 30 minutes. |
| Q: | How many years does the CEP keep dogs on the job? What happens after they retire? | | A: | The CEP employs dogs as long as they can successfully perform and meet workload requirements. The service career of a detector dog will typically last no longer than eight years. Upon retirement, their handlers usually adopt the dogs or a good home is found for the animal. |
| Q: | Can a civilian law enforcement agency acquire detector dog training from CEP? | | A: | Yes, on a limited basis. For information on courses, availability, costs, etc., contact the Canine Enforcement Training Center 1-888-USA-DOG1, or the Program Manager, Canine Enforcement Program (202) 344-1479. |
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