The use of dogs can supply Anti-Smuggling staff with valuable information about passengers , baggage and vehicles before they reach controls. They are able to pin point the location of drugs in vehicles and freight consignments, saving Anti-Smuggling staff considerable time. Passive Response - detection of drugs carried on the body or in accompanied luggage. The majority of dogs used by the Department come via the Defence Animal Centre's 'Gift Dog Scheme'. The potential working standard required for detector dogs is very high and many dogs do not make the grade.
Suitable dogs are always in demand.
Dogs are recruited between 12 and 24 months old. Gun Dog breeds are ideal as Detector Dogs as training is based on the dogs natural instinct to hunt and retrieve. The most popular breed used is the Springer Spaniel for pro-active work. Taller breeds such as Pointers are ideal for passive response dogs. The majority of Customs Detector Dogs are trained by the Defence Animal Centre, the military training agency at Melton Mowbray.