There are many Americans who dream of becoming a breeder or a puppy raiser of a working dog that will protect the United States.  This is a patriotic idea, but what does it take and who can do it? Understanding begins with some background about why there is a need and why the AKC is involved.

Background

For the past 50 plus years plus years, the United States has relied on European breeders to produce explosive detection and patrol dogs that were needed to protect our Federal, State and city governments, universities, malls and entertainment events etc.  According to the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, about 90 percent of the working dogs in the US come from overseas breeders. This began to change following the events of 911, Brussels, Boston, Las Vegas, New York and London coupled with the increased number of worldwide terrorist attacks and natural disasters. This national need and the potential of more threats made these special dogs a national security need here in the US and in other countries as well.

There are many problems related to the supply and availability of these valuable dogs. For example, of those that are selected, only a few complete their training. Some are withdrawn from service prematurely due to lack of accuracy and others for reasons related to behavioral issues. The high loss of candidates confirms the need for a domestic breeding program that can help produce better dogs that are more trainable and less likely to fail later. The nature and scope of this problem has many moving parts and they are not new. During the past 50 years, the Federal government built and operated four federal breeding programs, only to terminate each of them because of a budget cut or a lack of funding.

In 2016, the US Senate became concerned and held three hearings about the security of our airports, borders and infrastructure. Following those hearings, the AKC was asked to help. The AKC Board responded by establishing the AKC Dog Detection Task Force. The mission was to bring together the stakeholders, involve breeders in a pilot program and help increase the supply of explosive detection dogs.

Breeders interested in helping were encouraged to apply through an application process. Candidates were screened by AKC’s consultant, Scott Thomas, and those accepted agreed to breed their females, socialize the pups produced and enrich their experiences until they are 8-10 months of age. The AKC Dog Detection Task Force also supported a program for puppy raisers called the Patriotic Puppy Program. This was a program for those willing to help raise and develop young puppies using recommended protocols.

Applicants who become a Participant

The success of the Task Force is based on breeder and puppy raiser involvement. It requires breeders to breed, raise and develop pups in a yearlong data-gathering program.

The AKC Dog Detection Task Force program began with two breeds that were most popular with government agencies and private sector vendors. They are the Labrador Retriever and German Short hair Pointer. Adjunct breeds were also added based on their breed history as a detection or patrol dog.  More than 90 breeders are now involved in an on-going effort and more are needed.

Participant Expectations

The objectives of the Dog Detection Task Force include behavioral and DNA studies that are used to better understand breeding methods, kennel life, maternal influences, nutrition, and ways to make improvements in training and election. In order to accomplish these objective, those selected are expected to:

1. Plan to produce a litter with the intention of holding back one or more puppies to be dedicated to this program for one year. Breeding stock will include only those dogs that meet the health initiatives recommended by their parent club
2. Complete timely reports and take videos of their pups developing
3. Participate in conference calls and webinars hosted by the AKC consultant
4. Participate in weekly reporting and quarterly video testing
5. Record and submit data weekly on each pup
6. Submit a DNA mouth swab that is provided which will be used for research
7. Actively participate in evaluations scheduled at 3, 6, and 9 months of age
8. Submit on a quarterly basis behavioral videos of each dog performing a standardized test (ACS/TSA)
9. Receive and use feedback about puppy development based on reports and videos submitted
10. Be willing to share information and learn from others
11. Puppy Raisers agree to socialize and train a puppy (8-12 weeks) using suggested protocols for one year

What Breeders and Puppy Raisers can expect from the AKC Consultant:

1. Assistance and help via email, website, and social media
2. Advice and counsel during whelping, weaning, socialization and enrichment periods
3. Recommended protocols and ideas during socialization, enrichment and training periods
4. Feedback about puppy videos submitted (breeders and puppy raisers)
5. Guidance throughout with answers to questions that arise regarding weaning, socialization and development of the pups
6. Personal and individual dog or puppy information will not be shared with others
7. Cumulative data about the dogs and pups will be shared with those involved in approved research

Support for Puppy Raisers

Puppy raisers are a special feature of the AKC Dog Detection Task program. These individuals help by raising a puppy for up to 10 months of age. Those with children provide an ideal situation for puppy development. The protocols developed by the AKC consultant include socialization, enrichment and training experiences. Puppy raisers are expected to provide information and videos as pups develop. They are also expected to participate in the evaluations at 3, 6, and 9 months of age.

Breeders who place puppies with puppy raisers select their own puppy raiser and enter into their own agreements regarding any financial considerations for raising the pups and how the costs and expenses will be managed. The final disposition about a pups selling price is made by the breeder.

Buyers

Most buyers are looking for young untrained dogs, called "green dogs". Experience shows that most of the buyers are: Federal and State Agencies, police departments and private vendors who are breeders. Others purchase young puppies from breeders and train them for specific buyers.

The Task Force does not negotiate, own, buy or sell dogs. Agencies and organizations are not recommended. If they are known to the Task Force they will be placed on an information list that is passed along for breeders to use.

Sale Price of Puppies

Breeders who participle in the AKC Dog Detection Task Force have made the commitment to breed their females and provide puppies for sale. Because the buyers are from many different agencies and organizations, there is no set price for a pup or dog. The selling price is usually based on the age of the pup, the buyers need, and their opinion about its potential and worth. The final selling price is generally related to age and performance at time of evaluation. Buyers are usually looking for well socialized puppies that are comfortable around children, adults, crowds, new places, different surfaces, smells, are happy, upbeat, playful, willing to chase and retrieve a ball or toy. Many buyers want to see how pups handle isolation and confinement. Therefore, breeders and puppy raisers are encouraged to crate-train when developing their pups.

Depending on age and the needs of each buyer, performance at the time of evaluation becomes the important factor in determining price. There is a large market for well socialized pups. Those who demonstrate the traits mentioned generally demand the higher prices.

&There is also a market for pups not selected. Breeders who decide to sell pups early will learn there are other buyers looking for older pups. To help these breeders, the AKC supports a website and a program called “AKC Market Place” where breeders can list their pups by breed and age. Market Place provides information about the breeder and pups for buyers to review. Experience shows that many buyers prefer older, well socialized pups who have been exposed to an enriched environment, which makes them ideal for placement in a family or home environment.

Adjunct and non-traditional Breeds

Adjunct and non-traditional breeds, their breeders and puppy raisers are commended for their desire to participate in this program and for their willingness to help in this national security effort. Because of limited time and resources, only two breeds were identified in the current pilot program. Adjunct breeds are those known for their established history and versatility as a working dog breed. Some adjunct breeds are used for single-purpose (detection only), others for dual-purpose (patrol and detection). Their participation is welcomed and they will have access to the resources of this program along with reports and suggestions. Feedback and recommendations about their dogs and pups will be provided as time permits.

&Adjunct and non-Traditional breeders who choose to become involved do so with the understanding that they will complete the application, be screened and agree to the conditions above (1-11 steps) indicated above.

They can also expect help as breeders and puppy raisers (Adjunct and non-traditional breeds) as follows:

Breeders and Puppy Raisers can expect from the AKC Consultant:

1. Assistance and help via email, website, and social media
2. Advice and counsel during whelping, weaning, socialization and enrichment periods
3. Recommended protocols during socialization, enrichment and training periods
4. Feedback about puppy videos submitted (breeders and puppy raisers)
5. Guidance throughout a process that answers questions that arise regarding weaning, socialization and development of the pups
6. Personal and individual dog or puppy information will not be shared with others
7. Only cumulative data about the dogs and pups will be shared with those involved in approved research
8. Be willing to share information and learn from others

All breeders, including those in the adjunct and non-traditional breeds, are expected to negotiate their own deal with buyers regarding the selling price for their dogs and puppies. The Task Force does not negotiate, own, buy or sell dogs. Agencies and organizations are not recommended. If they are known to the Task Force they will be placed on an information list that is passed along for breeders to use.

More information is available at:

For the Application: Survey Monkey

For More information: purposeraisedpup.com

AKC Patriotic Puppy Program AKC Patriotic Puppy Program

For weekly data on your dog for analysis (currently at google forms) Weekly data on your dog

For Program Manager Information about AKC Dog Detection Task Force contact: Penny Leigh: 919-816-3749, Email Penny Leigh

For the Task Force breeding program contact: Scott Thomas Or phone: 210 392 4109