Narcotic detection dogs are trained to use their sense of smell to detect illegal drugs that their human handlers cannot see. Drug dogs are used to find illegal drugs at police traffic stops, on routine prison searches, and on police drug raids. Drug dogs are also used in airports, train and bus stations, storage facilities, and anywhere else a police investigation takes them. Drug dogs provide the probable cause their police handlers need to search a location or item, such as a suitcase or storage locker, by detecting the presence of drugs. Sometimes drug dogs are used in schools to search for hidden drugs.

Different breeds of dogs can be trained as drug dogs. Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds, and Labradors are some popular breeds used as drug dogs. Most drug dogs are bred and trained especially for police work. Dogs are chosen to be drug dogs because they are intelligent, aggressive, strong, and have a keen sense of smell.

Drug dogs are able to sniff out even small amounts of illegal drugs because their sense of smell is very powerful. Dogs’ sense of smell is 1,000 times more powerful than a human’s. Drug dogs are taught to recognize the scent of different illegal drugs. Drug dogs can detect marijuana, crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin by smell. Even when drug dealers attempt to camouflage the smell of the drugs by packaging them with strong-smelling items such as coffee or soap, drug dogs can detect them. When a dog detects drugs, he may alert actively (by scratching or biting at the area) or passively (by sitting near the area). In training, drug dogs’ handlers teach them to associate the smell of drugs with their favorite toy. The dogs learn that when they smell drugs and alert their handlers they are rewarded by playing with their toy. Most drug dogs work for approximately six years before retiring.

In addition to specific training on how to sniff out drugs, drug dogs and their handlers undergo other extensive training to become certified as law enforcement narcotics detection teams. Dogs are trained to obey their handlers, even in stressful or exciting situations. This training allows handlers to control the force their dog uses in any situation. Drug dogs also undergo physical training to build their endurance and agility and to accustom them to ignore the noise and distractions of city sights and sounds. Dogs and their handlers are trained on how to search buildings and other environments, track suspects, and recover evidence.

Detection dogs work at more than sniffing out drugs; dogs work with the Border Patrol, Homeland Security, and the Armed Services to detect bombs. Bomb sniffing dogs undergo training similar to that of drug dogs, except they are trained to sniff out certain chemicals used in bombs instead of drugs. Bomb sniffing dogs work in airports to detect bombs in luggage and can be used to make sure a building is safe before an important political figure or dignitary visits. Bomb sniffing dogs also help determine if a school, sports stadium, office building, or other area is safe after a bomb threat.

Drug dogs and their handlers are highly mobile teams that can be deployed quickly and in many types of situations to detect illegal drugs. Drug dogs are accurate and make searches of luggage and vehicles faster and easier for their handlers. A police or border control officer might take 20 minutes to search a car for drugs while a dog may take only five to seven minutes. Drug dogs help to control the sale and distribution of illegal narcotics by searching the places where drugs can enter the country, such as airports, train and bus stations, mail sorting stations, ports, and border control stations. Drug dogs also work to control the small-scale distribution of narcotics by working with the police to arrest drug dealers. Other types of security dogs also work hard to ensure our safety. Bomb sniffing dogs make sure that explosive devices are not on planes or in schools or sports arenas. Bomb and drug dogs also make the mail safe from explosives and illegal narcotics. Security dogs can also seek out concealed people and dangerous items that terrorists might attempt to smuggle into the country. Security dogs keep our mail, borders, planes, ships, and cities safe from illegal drugs, explosives, and other dangerous items.