[Mike Schoonbrood]

http://www.fbi.gov/kids/dogs/narcot.htm

I never realized how many \"mutts\" are used as working dogs, especially in tracking and detection... I guess it doesn't matter what breed the dog is as long as the nose works right.

 

[Jenni Williams]

That's what I've been sayin'!!! I've seen lots of different ones lately. Sadly, some of it's because of the increasing health problems in GSDs. Dept's don't want to spend the money on an import who could still have issues that a mutt from the pound probably won't. That's what some cops around here have told me anyhow.

 

[Ingrid Rosenquist]

Did you all see the DS they have posted on the site

 

[Jenni Williams]

Ingrid, it's late and I'm not thinking very fast. What's \"DS\"

Nevermind-DS is Dutch Shepherd. :roll:

 

[Bob Scott]

Lots of trainers are now going to the pound and picking out the high drive, pain in the a$$ dogs that have been given up as to uncontrolable as a house pet. I've seen some fantastic \"mutts\" in SAR.

 

[David Frost]

I have 40 drug and 5 explosive detector dogs currently working. Nearly 50% of them are from shelters, pounds or rescue agencies. My selection is behavior specific. While most of the rescues are lab/mix it's not a requirement. Good dogs can be found, as as Bob said, they are usually pain in the patootie dogs that others have given up on. Some dogs also come from homes that purchased a cute puppy that low and behold grew into a full sized dog (go figure).

DFrost

 

[Hil Harrison]

I have 40 drug and 5 explosive detector dogs currently working. Nearly 50% of them are from shelters, pounds or rescue agencies. My selection is behavior specific. While most of the rescues are lab/mix it's not a requirement. Good dogs can be found, as as Bob said, they are usually pain in the patootie dogs that others have given up on. Some dogs also come from homes that purchased a cute puppy that low and behold grew into a full sized dog (go figure).

DFrost

Tell me about it David, I rehome these dogs daily. A lot of good dogs are in the pound. Take them out and really work with them what they are bred for , you suddenly get a completly different dog. I do wish the average general public would think better before going out and buying cute pups that turn into high drive working dogs and then want them out because they are \"uncontrolable' :roll: Its the general public that are uncontrolably buying dogs they dont have a clue about I'm afraid to say.

 

[Mike Schoonbrood]

Did you all see the DS they have posted on the site

The Search & Rescue DS? Yeah I found that page months ago, thought it was kinda cool that the FBI uses a dutchie

 

[Scott Zettelmeyer]

I agree 100% with David.

I would only look at shelter dogs for prospects that are going to be used exclusively for SAR or Detection-only applications. There are PLENTY of dogs with decent nerves and hunt drive out the ying-yang for those jobs just wasting away (and losing time) in shelters. The dog is usually free, you save the dogs life, give him a job to do and find a new home for him. Win-win for everyone.

Plus, even if you have a high wash-out rate, it's not like there aren't a TON of dogs available for testing at any given moment. And it costs you virtually nothing as opposed to the hassle of importing a dog that doesn't work out.

I woudn't look in shelters for a patrol dog, but if the dog only has to use his nose for his job? Absolutely!