Our breeding program began in Melbourne in 1993. Since then, we have bred and developed thousands of pups to be trained as detector dogs.
We only use Labrador Retrievers because they:
- are highly driven
- have a steady temperament
- are adaptable to challenging environments
- have a non-threatening appearance
Trained volunteers in and around Melbourne and Geelong foster our pups. They stay with them from 9 weeks old until they reach maturity.
We choose breeding pairs carefully, to reduce the risk of hereditary medical conditions. We want to produce dogs that are bold, outgoing and have a strong drive to hunt.
All pups in the program are evaluated when they are 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months old. Their progress is monitored to assess their development needs and assist them to reach their full genetic potential.
A small percentage of dogs bred for the Detector Dog Program do not pass the training needed to become a detector dog, and working detector dogs eventually retire from their working life to live their remaining years as a pet.
These agencies use the dogs we breed and train:
- Australian Federal Police
- Department of Agriculture
- State and territory police
- Correction services
- Seeing Eye Dogs Australia
- Australian Defence Force
- International agencies
- Zoos Victoria
