Detector dogs at the border
Detector dog teams help protect Canada’s borders by detecting a wide range of contraband and supporting law enforcement partners. They are highly trained and are evaluated regularly throughout their careers with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
How detector dogs stop crime
Detector dogs and their officers play an important role in the detection of prohibited and regulated goods entering the country by:
- increasing opportunities to intercept drugs, guns, money, and food, plant and animal products
- discouraging smugglers, while educating Canadians about the CBSA's innovative enforcement approaches
- helping border services officers simplify searches
- reducing screening times for passengers, luggage and commercial shipments
Dog teams also help other law enforcement agencies with search warrants for drugs, guns and money.
About the dogs
The CBSA uses all types of dog breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers and Beagles, to detect contraband.
Typically, detector dogs:
- are 11 to 16 months old when training begins
- live with their handlers
- travel in air-conditioned vehicles
- work for 8 to 10 years
- retire and live with their handlers or in a home arranged by their handlers
Previously, all dogs were trained to scratch, dig, bite and bark at the source of a contraband odour. Today, the primary method of training is for dogs to give a subtle signal to their handler when detecting contraband.
Training for duty
Detector dog teams receive intensive training at the CBSA College in Rigaud, Québec.
The agency also trains dogs from Correctional Service Canada and many other domestic and international policing agencies worldwide.
Handlers learn to care for and train their dogs at the CBSA College where the animals learn to understand their new working environment.
The CBSA maintains very high standards for its dogs. Only one of 10 dogs evaluated is accepted.
Once dogs go on duty, an assessor evaluates every dog team annually to ensure they are working at an effective level.
History of detector dogs
The CBSA (formerly Canada Customs) began using detector dogs in to help frontline officers with a more effective method of detecting drugs and firearms.
Currency detector dogs began working with border services officers in . They helped officers enforce the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. Today, these dog teams are part of the Detector Dog Service.
In , the Detector Dog Service expanded to include food, plant and animal detector dog teams from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Contact us
Detector Dog Service
Email: dds.scd@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
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