The Cost benefit of small breed illicit detection dogs for police departments, government agencies, and private security companies can be a huge asset during the global economic struggles we see day to day. Canine detection is a growing field of study that is still relatively new to most people as we learn how these dogs can better human life. The top of the line dog breeds for police enforcement include imported Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds. and Rottweiler’s. These dogs are still quite amazing and so is their price tag. The rise of gas prices, veterinary care, maintenance and food show no signs of slowing down and its crippling many police departments, prisons, contractors and private security agencies. If you glance around at your local police departments statewide the canine programs have been almost cut in half. These global financial struggles also impact your environmental groups who depend on such working dogs for Ginseng, bat guano, bed bug, and foreign food to name a few.
To offset the cost many agencies are looking to smaller breeds like Jack Russell’s, English Cocker Spaniel, Foxhound, Beagles, English Springer Spaniel and even the Schnauzer. These small dogs are still very much working line dogs with work ethic, drive, and a keen sense of smell for illicit detection. Law Enforcement in the UK have been using these dogs for years, mainly for drug and explosive sniffing, here in the U.S. we typically follow suit with the trends in the UK. Dog Handlers world wide are learning that these small breeds are ideal for single purpose applications, whether searching vehicles, boats, or aircraft they are easy to handle and are extremely sociable and non threatening in the public domain.
Other advantages of small breeds are smaller kennels, no need for canine insert in vehicles, less food, cheaper maintenance for heartworm, flea/tick medications, and of course longer working life. First line enforcement working dogs are still the best in what they do: bite work, handler protection, drugs, explosives, article search, and trailing, these canines are simply the “Jack” of all trades. However under todays budget crunches, its worth progress and safety of our communities to look at other avenues to strengthen our canine units as a whole.
