Mine Detection Dog (MDD)
Dogs trained to find landmines and unexploded ordnance with their excellent sense of smell. CMAC handles everything from breeding to training at its dedicated dog center, and MAG also uses locally trained detection dogs at clearance sites in Cambodia.
Uses
They are deployed in combination with manual clearance teams and are used to speed up surveys of large areas. At CMAC, in addition to detecting mines and unexploded ordnance, training has newly begun for dogs that carry out technical survey of cluster munitions.
Features
CMAC's dog center has 45 dedicated staff who handle everything from breeding, puppy and adult-dog training, and veterinary care to kennel management. Because experiences soon after birth strongly affect learning and behavior, training starts when the dogs are very young.
Advantages
Dogs can search wider areas faster than manual clearance, raising the efficiency of the whole operation. CMAC has its own breeding program: a litter produces 7 to 12 puppies, and roughly 60 to 70 percent are said to be suitable for training as detection dogs. Outstanding dogs and services are also provided to other countries.
Challenges
Raising one dog takes long-term training, veterinary care, and a specialized handler. Operations must take account of each dog's concentration and physical condition, and of environmental conditions such as heat.
Sources & references
- Ref 0067
- Ref 0072