Detector dog facts
The dogs
- Purebred Labrador dogs are bred at the Australian Customs Service Breeding and Development Centre in Melbourne, and sent to New Zealand when they are aged between 12-24 months for training as detector dogs.
- Detector dogs are recruited for their attitude, temperament and strong - but not aggressive - retrieval instincts.
- Customs currently uses a variety of pure breeds and cross breeds as detector dogs.
- Dogs are kennelled at home with their handlers.
- Customs has K9 units based in Auckland, Tauranga, Christchurch and Wellington. However, dogs are deployed throughout New Zealand for detection work.
- Dogs retire around eight or nine years of age and become household pets.
Their training
- New handlers and their dogs undergo a comprehensive and technically-challenging training programme.
- Detector dog teams also undergo weekly refresher training sessions to stay at peak performance.
- Dogs are never fed, dosed or rewarded with drugs. They receive praise and are allowed to play with their handler, such as a game of tug of war, as a reward for detecting drugs and explosives.
- All handlers are experienced Customs officers and have a minimum of two years service before joining the detector dog unit.
- All specialist dog units from the various government services (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Police, Aviation Security, Ministry of Justice) work alongside each other and share training resources.