08/15/2026
I recently returned from the AKC Detection Dog Task Force conference in Durham, NC. From my notes, I have divided the conference into five content areas: breeding, general care, scent work, handling, and the field trip to a large kennel operation south of the conference site in Jackson Springs, NC. These are summaries are based on the presenters, though I have incorporated information from other sources, including earlier AKC conferences.
Breeding – Approximately 80% of dogs serving in scent, protection, and other security work are imported. Approximately half of these dogs do not complete training and are placed in service. The AKC is attempting to increase the availability of domestic, purpose-bred dogs with their Patriotic Puppy Program. This program has shown some early success with 250 dogs placed with a 90% success rate.
The dearth of domestically available dogs is attributed to poor breeding selection, limited breeding, and the influence of “animal rights” organizations.
The two major breeds for scent detection are Labrador Retrievers and German Short Hair Pointers, though four other breeds are involved. Dogs are from working lines, not “show lines,” though there is the occasional exception. Appearance and breed standards are not related to performance. Lab field trial dogs transition well into scent detection.
“Wearable sensors” on dogs, often reverse engineered from ecollars, and similar to human wearable sensors, have promise not only selecting successful dogs but eliminating dogs early that will not successfully complete training. Many of the dogs that fail training fail due to the “environmentals” such as excessive fear or failure to adapt.
Government contracting standards, such as no “pointy eared dogs,” also contributes to the difficulty placing working dogs. However, TSA “environmental” standards were considered very fair.
Genetic testing of mongrel dogs depends on the reference pools of the testing service. Tests at different times and difference services often yield different results.
General care – Methods of acclimating dogs to heat and cold included markers of impending “heat mortality.” Heat mortality is difficult to determine but appears to be the second leading cause of death in police dogs (gunshot is first), and the third leading cause in the military. Signs of heat distress include a saw horse stance, refusing a reward, a floppy tongue, uncontrolled panting. Cooling dogs should be aggressive.
The best acclimation factor is weight. Generally, dogs should eat 75% of an “ad lib” diet. Most detection dogs are overweight. Dogs can be acclimated statically (kept outside) and dynamically (increasing the workload in the working environment). Acclimated dogs should be able to tolerate 105 degrees F. Shaving dogs may help with heat dissipation. Black Labs are no less heat intolerant than lighter-colored dogs.
Working dogs, when matched to controls (pets), live longer with fewer problems. This suggests that a quality commercial dog food, rigorous exercise, and kenneling have benefits.
Scent – Academics presented data regarding scent that included the concepts of “headspace,” volatility, dispersion, and surface. The “beef stew” analogy was compared to single scent training, and neither had any advantage. There were warnings regarding contaminating a detection object with the handler’s scent.
Handling – In addition to a Golden Retriever that demonstrated a live detection of hidden electronics, an African anti-poaching presentation (Working Dogs for Conservation) included enlisting local dogs in detection, handlers and dogs tracking for long distances looking for poachers and avoiding wildlife, and handler selection. This last point is interesting as dogs are generally not valued in African countries. Handler selection traits included “live for the passion of dog training,” determination (“I want angry” but cool and calm), and the cardinal trait, “problem solver.” “I will allow failure.”
Field Trip – K2K9 is a large training kennel operation with multiple buildings. In one building, there is an “environmental” room that had many distracting and difficult tasks such as a suspension bridge, a pit full of plastic bottles, ramps, and teeter-totters. On the other side of this large building are rooms set up for scent detection with desks, lockers, and furniture, and a large room that included the ability to hide scent in many areas. The inside training areas were above the kennels, requiring dog and handler to climb up open metal stairs. The operation also had a large, mowed field for area searches. Some conference participants brought untrained dogs for evaluation and possible sale. One participant brought a trained dog for an interior and area search.
