The Beagle Brigade is the group of dog "sniffers" utilized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). While on the job, the beagles' noses are busy with traveler's luggage and packages, trying to filter out fruits, plants and meat not allowed into the United States.

The beagles are the front line against items brought into the country that could carry disease or pests. Because their job is important to the security of the nation, the canines must undergo extensive training at the USDA National Detector Dog Training Center in Orlando, Florida.

Beagles are recruited for the program through humane societies, beagle rescue groups, and private owners. Of course a keen sense of smell is required, but potential members of the Beagle Brigade must also deal well with adults and children.

The dogs are first trained with boxes scented with the odors of beef, citrus, and mango. They are taught to recognize these odors and when detected, to sit quietly near the box to allow the handler to inspect the box closer.

Once training is completed, they are matched up with USDA officers to work as a team. The teams then train for four weeks in an airport before they are given their validation test. If they pass, they "graduate" and go on to work. They'll be assigned to one of 21 international airports, three land border ports or numerous U.S. mail facilities.

Officials said an average team's detection success rate is about 90 percent after working together two years. Authorities estimated Beagle Brigade teams keep around 75,000 prohibited products from entering the United States each year.

Most dogs will work six to 10 years before retiring. It is part of the National Detector Dog Training Center’s job to make sure they get placed into good homes if they don't make it through the training or once they retire and go back to civilian life.

The dogs not only help to detect illegal products, they also allow their human counterpart a chance to conduct inspections in a less threatening manner. Officials said for the process to work, it must be serious for the human handler but fun for the dog.

If you’d like more information on donating or adopting a beagle from the National Detector Dog Training Center, please contact the Center at (407) 816-1192.

Sources

Aphis TraveWeb
Detector Dog Teams

National Geographic
U.S. Beagle Brigade is First Defense Against Alien Species

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