Authors: David Deglau and Kari Medienbauer

Odor detection canines (ODCs) continue to play a critical role in homeland security as primary detectors of potential threats and aiding first responders. As the United States’ need for ODCs continues to grow the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) has been tasked to ensure that the ODC user community has a sufficient and stable domestic source of quality working canines and advance ODC capabilities through a systems engineering approach of applying selective breeding, genetic and phenotypic evaluation, and early training.
While other detection and support technologies have benefited from scientific advances and operational research studies, canine selection, breeding and training remain rooted in traditional methods. Modern scientific advances in canine theriogenology, genetic selection, neuropsychology, genomics, behavior and physiology paired with biological and systems engineering should be used to advance traditional selection, breeding and early training techniques for ODCs. A commonality amongst commercial, government, and hobbyist communities of ODC users and stakeholders is the constant need to obtain quality operational ODCs. The key to maintaining an operational force of successful ODCs is being able to classify what makes a successful working dog, and specifically, what makes a successful ODC. Through continuous interaction with the user community, literature reviews, and subject matter expert interactio ns JHU/APL has identified specific phenotypes, or behavioral characteristics, that are often found in successful ODCs as well as isolated specific behavior traits that have previously hindered canines from thriving in operational environments. By defining and aggregating these phenotypes JHU/APL has established the critical foundation for developing metrics that can be used for accurate and repeatable canine selection criteria and procurement.
JHU/APL in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology (DHS S&T) has stood up the Domestic Breeding Consortium (DBC) which is focused on establishing and expanding a domestic supply for ODCs, developing a line of canines that are suitable for the user community’s immediate needs as well as long term demand, and to intentionally take a scientifically based approach that can endure and improve over time.