The canine drug detection unit was established at the sane time as the Russian Federal Drug Control Service (FDCS).
The sniffer dogs do not just have to search for drugs. Their duties also include detaining wrongdoers, resisting their attacks, and convoying and guarding detained persons. For this reason, larger breeds, such as German shepherds, Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers and Labradors are preferred.
Temperament, working qualities, ancestry and health are also taken into account. Female dogs are preferred because their behavior is not as hormone-orientated as it is among males.
Sniffer dogs are trained in accordance with their natural needs. Games and treats are used to improve the dogs' sense of smell. Training methods depend on the dogs' temperaments. Dogs, like people, may be cholerics or phlegmatics.
The training procedure usually begins when the dog is 1.5 years-old. The dogs are not only trained to sniff out certain smells, but also give special signals, showing the specialist where the source of smell is. Each dog passes an exam and receives a certificate.
Drug detection dogs have unique training experience and specialists working with them try not to show off their work, Dmitry Sharer, head of the Drug Enforcement Dog Service said.
Experienced sniffer dogs need around two minutes to sniff out a passenger car and seven minutes to check a lorry.
The dogs are in service for eight years before their retirement, when they are cared for by dog specialists.
MOSCOW, May 1 (RIA Novosti)
