June 30, 2004

By: Kate Forrester
Website: http://www.1st-in-pets.com

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Announces Seven New Puppies Born at Canine Center

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner is pleased to announce that seven black Labrador Retriever puppies were born yesterday, May 4, at the CBP Canine Enforcement Training Center.

The CBP Breeding program is a fantastic way of acquiring valuable detector dogs. Currently, the program has produced 111 puppies in 18 litters, said Commissioner Robert C. Bonner. These Labrador Retriever puppies are the next generation of CBP detector dogs.

In September 1998, the United States Customs Service received 12 Australian Customs detector dogs with the working bloodlines necessary for starting a breeding program. These dogs became the nucleus of Customs breeding program.

To keep the program going, CBP canine enforcement officers select top field trail dogs (champion Labrador Retrievers in the United States), outside the current gene pool as the sire.

All dogs that are candidates for the breeding program are researched for pedigree and background and are either Amateur Field Champions or National Field Champions. The puppies born today have the genetic make up and the behavioral traits necessary for high quality detector dogs.

The CBP's Canine Enforcement Program fully supports Commissioner Bonner's mission of anti-terrorism and national security, said Lee T. Titus, Director of the Canine Enforcement Program. Our new Lab pups will certainly be raised and well trained to be used in our anti-terrorism efforts to protect our nation's borders.

Recruiting dogs capable of being trained for detection work is extremely difficult. Typically only one in every 70 canines recruited is deemed suitable for training. A detector dog needs to possess confidence in unfamiliar environments and have a strong retrieval drive. For more information, see pet training aids.

About The Author:

Kate Forrester is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-pets.com.  Pamper your pet and get up to date information on pet health, food, accessories, behavior, gifts and toys.