Actually explosive detection dogs are normally not police dogs. In Oak Ridge TN there is a privately owned kennel called K-9 Search on Site. They have a government contract so our tax dollars pay for it but it is money well spent. There are about 60 dogs on the place with several working about 8 hrs a day at Y12 and the National Lab. Any vehicle or package that comes through the gates gets checked by one of the dogs.
I worked there some when they had a lot of pups by doing basic obedience with the young dogs. I'm friends with a couple of the handlers and the main trainer. Also Freddy Brasfield who owns it is best friends with my boss. We do all the vet work for them and anything those dogs need, they get.
There is a satellite kennel in NM and when the dogs and handlers go back and forth they fly first class...the dog too! Most dogs are Malinois but some are Shepherds. Because Freddy has also trialed herding dogs in the past there also are some Border collies. They can get up on office furniture and such and go places some of the larger dogs can't. Most of the older dogs are imported but Freddy started a breeding program so he has raised a lot of the younger dogs.
About 1 in 5 makes it in the program and the rest are placed. Sometimes they end up in police work and some have made it as search and rescue dogs as well. One I placed for him (almost kept her, but have too many now) will be ready for agility competition this fall.
If you want to check it out go to: www. k-9sos.com. There is a link on my page.
