I don't necessarily mean patrol dogs, but maybe drug dogs or bomb dogs or some such.

I have a litter of pups that are 11 weeks and they are mixed breeds (should grow to 75-80 LBS).

There is one puppy in the litter that has SO MUCH drive, I am not really comfortable with trying to place him as a family pet. I just don't think this dog is a pet. He has tons of drive and (from the discussions I've read on this board) has a natural, calm, full grip. (hah, I've never ever trained a dog for bitework, but I swear that's what he has).

I am constantly removing this puppy's teeth from my flesh. He is very active and has excellent toy and food drive for being only 11 weeks old. He is also very confident and focuses well. I am concerned that (because I am a rescue) this dog will be too much for a pet owner to handle and I will just end up getting him back.

My question for this board is, do any police departments consider using non-traditional breeds for detection or search work and if so, do they take puppies in order to ensure they are raised according to their standards. Our provincial police (I contacted them) prefers GSDs, and even then the dog has to be over a year old. They do not consider puppies as they don't have a puppy program. I would drive quite a distance if someone was interested in evaluating this pup.

I would *really* like to see this dog in a working home. I just don't think he'll make a good pet. Does any of you know if this is possible or am I barking up the wrong tree? I don't really know how all this works.

i've no idea the age requirements, but i believe toronto uses dogs other than GSDs or Mals for specific work (non-patrol).

Sometimes Departments actually prefer non GSDs or Mals for dope work in the schools. Whatever the dog for dope work it must have crazy prey drive, ball drive.

Our program has Labs, Goldens, Chessies and various mixes of dubious origin. All are single purpose detector. We won't take a dog less than 1 year as we are a working kennel and don't have time for puppies. If you visit http://www.gapdogs.org you can see some of the dogs we have in our program. Click on the link that says GAP dogs at work. Davey, Rock, Turbo, Moose and Moses are all rescues and are now working drug dogs. Buster is a SAR dog and without question the ugliest dog I've ever selected. Since all these dogs were rescues, the age is an educated guess.

DFrost

Have you seen Ed's info on testing a pup?

Carol, yes but I didn't really understand how to fill in the sheets.

David Frost - that program would be perfect, it is just that kind of thing I am looking for. Unfortunately my puppy is only 11 weeks old. If I would be assured of a great life like that i would raise him myself and then give him up at 1 year. This dog is CRAZY with drive and I am soooooo hesitant to put him in a pet home. He would probably be classified as "hard to handle" and he's still only a baby.

David Morris - don't know about ball drive but he sure has prey drive. Usually it is one of my body parts. Heh

Looking for any programs like the one David Frost mentioned.

 Quote: Angela Burrell

Carol, yes but I didn't really understand how to fill in the sheets.

From my experience, it is difficult to place a dog for LE use, only because they usually get their dogs from other sources.

If you have a SAR team in your area, you could contact them and ask if they could evaluate for you or maybe even the LE officer that oversees the training program would do it for you.

David's program is great from what I have seen so maybe he would have some other recommendations as well.
When I first started, I always liked to have an experienced trainer look at any dogs I thought would work. Some were okayed, but most did not have what it would take for the long haul.

Some dogs seem like they have what we look for only to find out that with the right exercise and conditioning they settle down into a great pet.

The GAP program does have people that will foster younger dogs that have the potential for service work. Some organizations will even take younger dogs. You might contact them and see if there are any GAP programs in your area.

DFrost