Welcome to the first in a new series of quarterly bulletins for those who want to learn more about the breeding, development and training of dogs needed for detection work.

Our goal with these newsletters is to keep you apprised of advances and opportunities in breeding, development and training of detection dogs as well as information and updates about public policy, standards, and other factors that play an important role in decreasing U.S. dependence on the acquisition of foreign dogs to protect our national safety and security.

Explosives detection dogs play a crucial role in U.S. safety and security at home and abroad, but unlike other vital national security tools, the United States is importing approximately 85-90% of its bomb dogs. This deficit leaves the U.S. captive to other countries for a key national security input, and begs the question, “Why aren’t we relying on U.S breeders?"

The AKC Detection Dog Task Force (DDTF) is working to answer this question and reverse the threat.

Like many serious dog fanciers of today, most of us were introduced to dogs by someone else.  Someone with some knowledge of different breeds, or training, or care.  Through the years an interest in dogs often turns into a passion that consumes our thoughts and our dreams.  We may become breeders, amateur or professional trainers, competitors in dog sports, veterinarians or dog handlers. 

Throughout it all, it’s the dogs that make us who we become.  A hunter chasing game. A competitor chasing ribbons. A trainer chasing perfection. But as a breeder, we can chase a number of dreams within a single breed, or even a single litter. A family pet, hunting companion, field trial or hunt test competitor, or a canine working to keep America safe.

The AKC Detection Dog Task Force is pleased to invite you to join us for a unique discussion with Jay Crafter of Invictus K9.  Jay has extensive experience and specializes in training working dogs for conservation efforts in Africa. 

Jay focuses on building dependability in detection and tracking dogs; which allows for them to be deployed with relatively inexperienced handlers. 

The discussion will involve both detection and tracking disciplines. He looks forward to relaying his operational footprint working in multiple African countries and employing handlers from various backgrounds. 

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report on the health and welfare of dogs in federal working dog programs.  The report, Working Dogs: Federal Agencies Need to Better Address Health and Welfare, compiled data on the use of working dogs by federal agencies and provided recommendations for improvement.

The report was prepared in response to a Senate directive, supported by AKC and the AKC Detection Dog Task Force, in the committee report for the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (S 4049) (Senate Report 116-236). 

At our recent conference, participants have asked about materials and findings about better ways to raise puppies and dogs.

Here are some findings from research studies, program meetings with researchers and attendance at seminars. We will continue to report them in future Newsletters.

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