SWGDOG SC 3 – SELECTION OF SERVICEABLE DOGS

Posted for public comment 4/22/06 – 6/22/06. Approved by membership 10/2/2006.

APTITUDE AND TEMPERAMENT

1. Evaluating potential detector dogs 

When submitting a dog for evaluation, the supplier could provide the documentation in paragraph 

1.4 below to allow the evaluator to carry out a basic assessment of the medical history. It is normal 

for a full veterinarian test to be carried out on completion of a successful evaluation. 

1.1 Due to the importance of the initial selection evaluations, they should only be carried out 

by a competent evaluator. 

1.2 It is considered a best practice to conduct business with suppliers equitably, fairly and 

according to appropriate legal and contractual agreements.

1.3 During evaluation it is considered a best practice to care for all dogs in the same manner 

as privately-owned dogs.

1.4 Before carrying out a temperament and evaluation test, the dog’s basic medical 

condition and physical health could be assessed to eliminate those animals which are 

fundamentally unsuitable for the task. This assessment should include hip and elbow xrays and current vaccination records. Acceptance of a dog should normally be on a 30 

day return policy from arrival at the training center.

2. Definition 

2.1 A potential detector dog is one that is untrained on any specific odor and the evaluation 

is designed to establish that the dog has the essential behaviors and temperament to be a 

successful detection dog. 

3. Temperament Standards

3.1 A primary consideration in selecting a detector dog is that it should have the suitable 

temperament for the role. A potential detector dog should be even tempered and 

demonstrate a confident outgoing investigative attitude. The temperament is in direct 

connection and control of the intent, motivation, attitude, performance, response and 

reaction. 

3.2 Example of temperament flaws include: a variety of fears, poor past experiences 

from which the dog has not recovered, unwarranted aggression or shyness; an over or 
under reaction to external stimuli. Dogs must be able to tolerate a variety of work 

conditions appropriate to the task. 

4. Evaluation Methods

4.1 In general, evaluation of adult dogs should take place between 12 and 36 

months of age because this is when dogs are normally behaviorally and socially mature. 

4.2 Evaluation should be conducted by the buyer or their representative and be carried out 

in an environment unfamiliar to the dog, but indicative of the type where the dog will be 

operating after training. The supplier should not normally be present during the

evaluation.

5. Environmental soundness evaluation 

5.1 The environmental soundness evaluation is designed to assess the dog’s normal

reactions to commonly encountered environments. It looks for confidence in all these 

areas or that the dog after one or two exposures will start to demonstrate marked 

improved confidence. The evaluation also is looking for independence and continuity 

of focus without constant handler reinforcement so demonstrating levels of

concentration.

The dog should be walked through an environmental conditioning area which will

contain different examples of flooring and footing (carpet, wood, ceramic etc), open 

and closed stairs, temperatures, light values (from bright light to totally dark), open 

and confined areas, with and without obstacles, and various noise distracters.

6. Search and retrieve/food drive evaluation

6.1 This evaluation is to assess the dog’s ability to hunt and its retrieve/food drive in 

different environmental conditions. An example of this might be:

Throwing a reward item for recovery on grass, solid wood floor, steel decking, open 

stairs. Where the throws are indoors, the evaluations are done in full light to complete 

darkness. The dog should also be evaluated where the evaluator carries out a fake 

throw where the dog thinks that the item has been thrown when it has not. This 

evaluates the hunt drive. A further evaluation of the hunt drive should be outside where 

the item is thrown into long grass and also both upwind and downwind. The evaluator 

should be assessing the dog’s change in behavior when the dog can see the reward 

and is able to anticipate the hunt, the speed with which the dog goes out for the reward 
as well as the speed of approach and of the strike (pick up). The dog should be 

assessed for its determination to retain the reward after recovery. 

This evaluation is the measurement of the dog’s need, drive and desire to obtain its 

reward in the variable conditions. The dog’s performance is graded on the intensity to 

obtain the reward (speed and possession; persistence to obtain the reward). 

7. Sociability Evaluation

7.1 The purpose of this evaluation is to study the dog’s reaction to people, dogs and other 

animals as appropriate. It is to assess abnormal aggression, submission, fear and 

potential for distraction. 

7.2 This evaluation should be done with and without the dog’s expected detection reward 

(ball, Kong, towel, food).

7.3 An example of an evaluation could be: 

The dog is led by its handler through a minimum of two people. The dog should move 

between the people without overt response, without showing avoidance-behavior or 

aggression. Curious sniffing is evaluated as a completely natural social behavior and 

therefore is considered as harmless as ignoring of the passive person group. An 

excessive avoidance behavior and an excessive aggressive response have to be judged 

as negative.

The evaluation should be then repeated to assess the dog’s ability to recover its 

primary reward (ball, Kong, towel, food) in and around the people. The reward 

should be thrown near them and the evaluation will assess the dog’s ability not to be 

distracted by those standing round the reward. 
8. Tracking Evaluation

8.1 This test determines whether or not the dog has any natural tracking ability or any 

previous training. It measures his desire/ability to use his nose, his interest level, his 

desire to pursue the track and his tenacity to stay with it to the end.

An example of the evaluation could be:

The track would be laid in an open field free from distractions and with grass up to six 

inches in height. The quarry will walk in a straight line, downwind, for approximately 

200 feet, lay a ball at the end and return to the start, double laying it. The track can be 

marked by scuffing it but the handler must know where the track is. It is then aged for 

10 minutes. The dog is cast over the track without encouragement to see if he will 

indicate and pursue it on his own. If he does not then some direction can be given. 

Once he has indicated the track, observe his level of interest, if he stays with it or 

distracts and if he is happy working the track. This test is merely a measure of what 

there is to work with and is not a pass/fail situation.

9. Desirable evaluation outcomes

9.1 Desirable outcomes may include but are not limited to:

Stable and outgoing in any environment

Should have an excellent retrieve/hunt drive on a thrown or hidden object. 

Concentration and maintenance of focus over time with the dog’s attention on the 

object, regardless of area and other distractions. 

The dog should maintain strong drive throughout the entire evaluation 

The dog should demonstrate independent sniffing behavior

The dog should demonstrate independent searching behavior 

10. Undesirable evaluation outcomes

10.1 Undesirable outcomes may include but are not limited to :

Dog chases but does not search for the object 
Will not search/hunt for the object

Gives up the search easily 

Will not chase a moving object 

Chases but leaves for distractions, such as animal contamination - i.e. urine/feces –

other people or casual items in area - i.e. piece of paper on ground 

Distracted/overwhelmed by the environmental conditions 

Behaves in a shy manner 

Behaves in a nervous manner 

Behaves in an overly aggressive manner 

Fail to search 

Fail to hunt for the odor/object 

Fail to find the odor/object. 

Show a lack of search intensity. 

Show a lack of stamina

Diminishing interest in the reward during the evaluation

Over-aggressive dogs that are unable to work around people 

Over-aggressive dogs that are unable to work around other dogs 

Dogs that exhibit excessive panting that is not due to heat or exercise. 

Dogs with low drives 

Dogs that do not have the desire to complete the task. 

Dogs that are easily distracted by noise, people, other dogs 

11. Evaluation structure and method
11.1 Examples of detailed evaluation assessment and scoring system are at Annex A. 

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL

12. Physical evaluation

12.1 Preliminary requirements

To ensure proper identification, all dogs submitted for evaluation must have a 

collar/harness with the dog’s name affixed to it. 

The collar/harness must be strong enough to restrain the dog. 

It is considered a best practice to ensure that a computer microchip/tattoo for 

identification purposes is implanted in each dog.

13. Breed, sex, weight and height requirements

 13.1 Breeds historically selected for detection purposes come from the sporting, herding, 

hound and working categories.

 13.2 Age. The adult dog should be 12 to 36 months of age at time of the evaluation.

13.3 Sex. Dogs of either sex have shown good ability in detection work. A female in estrus 

should be deferred until a minimum of 4 – 6 weeks after completion.

13.4 Weight/Height. Weight must be proportional to the dog’s frame and skeletal size. An 

objective rating system to measure body condition (weight for frame) should be used. 

(Development and Validation of body condition score system for dogs: a clinical tool. 

La Flamme Canine practice 1997 Vol 22 pages 10-15.)

13.5 Color. Any color typical for the breed is acceptable. 
14. Medical requirements

14.1 General. Must be in excellent health, structurally sound and medically able to enter 

training

14.2 Immunization required for evaluation and procurement. At minimum must either have 

been vaccinated (essential in the case of Rabies) or have a titer indication showing that 

a particular vaccination was not needed within the previous 12 months for :

Rabies – vaccination in accordance with state and local laws

Canine distemper (CDV)

Canine adenovirus (type 2) (CAV-2) (Canine Hepatitis)

Parvovirus (CPV-2)

Leptospirosis 

There may be particular regional/national requirements which must be considered. The 

2006 AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) guidelines should be consulted.

14.2.1 A vaccination/titer certificate issued by a veterinarian with individual dog identification 

(name, tattoo, brand or microchip #) must be provided on all dogs 

14.3 Socialization and ability to be examined. Dogs should be socialized to humans and 

should be able to tolerate medical examination procedures 

14.4 Minimum signalment data

14.4.1 The following minimum information should appear on all medical record documents and 

information:

Dog identification

Name

Tattoo number

Microchip number

Whelping date (or age at time of examination if whelping date not
known)

Date of examination or entry 

Name and signature of examining veterinarian 

14.4.1.1 The following should appear at least once in the medical record:

Sex and reproductive status 

Breed 

Color pattern 

Contact information for owner 

Contact information for examining veterinarian 

14.5 Minimum medical examination database

14.5.1 The following constitutes the best practice to complete minimum database for an 

examination 

14.5.1.1 Complete physical examination 

Gait. The gait should be assessed at the walk, trot and run

Skin and coat. Must be healthy in appearance 

Oral cavity. Dentition.

Heart and lungs

Heart sounds

Heart rate

Heart rhythm

Lung sounds

Cardiovascular system at rest
Cardiovascular system upon exercise 

Respiratory system at rest 

Respiratory system on exercise 

Musculoskeletal system

 Nervous system and senses, and sensory organs 

Nervous system 

Eyes and adenexa 

Functional vision 

Anatomy of ears 

Functional hearing 

Nose and nasopharynx 

Demonstrated olfactory ability 

Reproductive and urinary system. 

Intact or neutered reproductive system. Document monorchidism or 

cryptorchidism. 

Urinary tract anatomy 

Urinary tract function 

Laboratory minimum database

Hematology and blood chemistry

Collection of blood sample for routine testing 

Blood chemistry. Complete blood count. 

Serology
Canine heartworm testing 

Urinalysis

Collection of urine sample for routine testing 

Urine specific gravity 

 Fecal examination. 

Collection of fecal sample for routine testing

Skeletal radiology.

Depending on the planned use of the dog, it may be that early signs of 

degenerative joint disease would not be acceptable. 

It is considered a best practice to acquire diagnostic elbow and hip radiographs 

for evaluation of elbow and hip conformation and that these be reviewed by an 

independent board certified veterinary radiologist.

 

It is a best practice to ensure that the minimum patient data are projected or 

imprinted (“flashed”) permanently on the radiograph at the time of exposure 

If further evaluation is warranted, evaluations may be completed at the discretion 

of the veterinarian or the dog may be deemed unacceptable