Surely, at some of the airports where you’ve landed for your holidays, you’ve come across police dogs. So far, nothing unusual — they’re a common sight at major international airports. Their developed sense of smell, skill, and training make them a perfect tool for the security forces to detect explosive devices or narcotics, for example.
But what if someone told you that in some countries these dogs were intentionally born through cloning? Would that catch your attention? Does it sound like science fiction? Nothing could be further from the truth — this happens and is common in countries such as China or South Korea, among others.
Detector dogs, special support for security forces
Detector dogs are animals that, after specific training (through positive reinforcement using games), are capable of identifying and locating the scent of a substance they’ve been trained for. They can also search for traces and footprints of people.
All thanks to their excellent sense of smell combined with very focused training in detection and tracking. However, not all dog breeds are suitable for performing such specific tasks.
Certain breeds stand out for these duties, such as the beagle, German shepherd, Labrador retriever, and Belgian Malinois, due to their physical and sensory characteristics.
These dogs provide special support for the security forces, as their sense of smell allows them to detect, for instance, narcotics that would be impossible for humans to perceive. Since the introduction of these trained dogs into the forces, police effectiveness has increased significantly, which is why the vast majority of countries have chosen this option as part of their team.
The animal’s genetics, fundamental for its selection
The animal’s genetics are fundamental for its selection and inclusion in the state security forces. Thanks to its genetics, its innate abilities are determined: intelligence, endurance, agility, and tracking capacity.
This ability, predisposition, and quick learning are due to the information and essence of its DNA. Therefore, the breeds mentioned above are the ones selected for these purposes and tasks.
Genetic factors in police dogs
-Intelligence and loyalty: These genetic traits allow them to understand, interpret, and respond to their handlers’ commands.
-Agility and speed: Their speed in pursuing suspects, tracks, or scents makes officers’ work easier.
-Hunting instinct: This important factor, closely linked to their particular genetics, gives them the innate drive to pursue objects, substances, or people.
-Adaptability: They can adapt to different situations and environments and perform their tasks remarkably well.
Genetic selection of police dogs
-Selective teaching and training: Dogs from genetic lineages known for their aptitude for work are selected, allowing teaching and education to be effective, efficient, and fast.
-Behavioral tests: The behavior of certain breeds and their predisposition for pursuit are analyzed and tested.
After this genetic selection, the breeds of dogs that are most suitable for replication are determined.
The power of cloning and its importance for security forces
As mentioned throughout the blog, it’s clear how important the exact replication of the genetics of certain dog breeds is for security forces. To achieve this, cloning is the most effective way to reproduce the identical lineage and, consequently, the exact replication of their aptitudes and sensory capabilities.
Thanks to cloning, the police ensure that the response of these new animals will be identical to that of their predecessors. The dog’s epigenetics and how it is raised in its first months of life also play a role. Obviously, since they are cloned for a specific purpose, their education and training are highly focused on their future tasks, resulting in a trained dog with optimal conditions to perform its function perfectly.
Countries such as South Korea or China are pioneers in introducing this laboratory technique for the benefit of the security forces. Therefore, if you travel to one of these countries, the police dogs you see at the airport or in the cities are most likely cloned animals.