Beagles Trained to Find Ag Smells

By: Jennifer Carrico

The Beagle Brigade has been protecting American agriculture at ports of entry since 1984. Led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agricultural specialists (USCBPAS), these dogs help detect harmful plants, pests and foreign animal diseases in luggage, carry-ons and cargo from other countries.

USCBPAS’ Scheele said the dogs are selected based on their temperament and ability to concentrate on the job with a lot of people around. “Training is extensive with a dog before it’s matched with a handler. They are first taught the scents of mango, citrus, apple, pork and beef,” he explained. “It’s the law of three. They are taught the smell and rewarded with treats when they find it.” While all dogs are taught those five smells, they will likely have to learn a few new smells when they are placed at a certain location.