Introduction
Growing recognition of the detection canine as being the most versatile and effective method for real-time explosive detection has resulted in a worldwide increase in their use in security and military operations. This is putting pressure on the supply of explosives detection dogs. The U.S. Congress stated that the U.S.' dependence on foreign procurement and a shortage of domestic explosive detection dogs (EDDs) creates a security hole.
The International Working Dog Conference of International Working Dog Breeding Association 2021 highlighted the dearth of EDD candidates from traditional private sources. EDD tasks are becoming more complex and specific, making it harder for dogs to have the necessary behavioral, physiological, or structural characteristics.
Homeland Security's "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign urges citizens not to ignore signs of terrorist acts.
Explosive threats can often not be seen by human eyes alone. Explosive terrorism attacks are a constant threat to public safety.
You must take safety precautions if your service is residential, commercial, or public. Explosive detection dogs are essential in preventing terrorist acts and improving security measures. This article will discuss the most common dog breeds for bomb detection. We'll also talk about their characteristics and how they can help protect the public.
Explosive Detection Dogs: Key Responsibilities
Explosive detection dogs use the senses of their canines to detect explosives in high volume, high-traffic areas. This applies to outdoor areas, commercial buildings and residential buildings as well as vehicles. Explosive detection dogs can also perform package, luggage and human searches.
All canines that are trained must possess four essential behavioral traits and skills.
Behavioral Characteristics
Explosive detection dogs must share the following four behavioral characteristics to be impactful:
Persistence: The dog must aggressively detect a scent and track it down until they find the object.
Courageousness: The dog cannot startle easily by loud noises or large crowds.
Trainability: The dog needs to complete complex training procedures.
Energetic: The dog must meet the physical demands of the job.
Top Dog Breeds for Bomb Detection
The most common dog breeds that used for bomb detection jobs are:
German Shepards
Labrador Retrievers
Belgian Malinois
Golden Retrievers
German Shorthaired Pointers
German Wirehaired Pointers
Vizslas
Next, we'll dive deeper into the characteristics of each breed listed.
German Shepards
German Shepherds have a reputation for being intelligent and are frequently chosen because of this. Because of their intelligence and training ability, they are an excellent breed for learning different commands. They can be loyal and protective, even when they are in danger. This breed is a favorite for bomb detection.
German Shepards are muscular and athletic. They can cover a lot of ground quickly. These physical traits are important for quickly detecting chemicals-based weapons or bombs.
Labrador Retrievers
Labrador Retrievers were originally bred to hunt and are skilled at detecting explosives. They are also friendly and social. They love to please their owners and are very intelligent. These characteristics make them an easy breed to train.
Labrador Retrievers are sturdy and strong. They are also very active dogs and need to be exercised a lot. Their physical attributes allow them to cope with the constant demands of the job.
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois have a reputation for being herding dogs. Their ability to perform well in this job is due to their alertness, quick reflexes and speed. They are sensitive and intelligent. They can be less sensitive to extreme training. They can adapt quickly to new skills, which is a good thing.
Belgian Malinois are reminiscent of German Shepherds, with their dark, mahogany fur and pointy ears. They are medium to large dogs and have strong, square-built bones. The Belgian Malinois Males are 64-75 pounds. Females typically weigh between 55 and 66 pounds.
Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers seem less intimidating than some of the bomb detection dogs available for purchase. Because of their intelligence, versatility and obedience, they are an easy breed to train. Their ability to learn new detection skills is also helped by their people-pleasing qualities.
Golden Retrievers usually grow up to be medium-sized dogs. Golden retrievers are averagely 65-75 pounds in weight. Females can weigh between 55-71lbs. As with other breeds, they're well-known for their athletic, solid build.
German Shorthaired Peters
German Shorthaired pointers are a hunting dog that excels in sport. They can hunt, sniff out and locate various types of animals. They thrive in mentally stimulating environments, making them excellent for detecting explosives.
The German Shorthaired Pointers are another breed that seems less intimidating to the general public. German Shorthaired pointers average 55-70lbs while their female counterparts are typically between 45-60lbs. Because of their high energy, they are ideal for long hours and demanding duties.
German Wirehaired Poisons
German Wirehaired Pointers look similar to German Shorthaired Pointers. However, they are also strong hunting dogs. Their keen sense of smell, quick response times and sharp sense of smell allow them to hunt in all locations. They possess impressive search and retrieval abilities. They are energetic and can be very active. These abilities allow them to be bomb-sniffing canines.
German Wirehaired Pointers possess a strong muscle tone. Their athletic build makes them a great choice for fast-paced, high-energy tasks. The average German Wirehaired pointer male and female weighs between 60 and 71 pounds.
Vizslas
Vizslas are also known as Hungarian pointers. Vizslas are energetic hunting dogs who need a lot of social interaction. They are more responsive to training than many other breeds. Vizslas can recognize bombs in packages and other places.
However, they are more susceptible to being startled by loud and abrupt sounds. They are also more susceptible to distraction than other breeds of dogs. This breed is not used as often as the other dog breeds we've covered.
Vizslas can be muscular and lean. Females are typically between 40 and 55 pounds, while males average 44 to 64lbs.
Get an Explosive Detection Dog
Bomb detection dogs are a breed of dog that is persistent, brave, trainable and energetic. They must learn new skills, be able to handle stressful situations and take immediate action.
Protecting the public is possible by investing in large-scale safety precautions. You can't afford to wait for security to be improved for your clients, friends, family members, colleagues and loved ones. You can always trust explosive dog detection professionals to provide top-notch protection.
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