Hong Kong Customs and aviation security company AVSECO have co-operated in a canine breeding program, having successfully bred eight Labrador Retriever puppies in February this year.
The six puppies - five male and three female - were named in order of their age as Dolly, Elly, Faddy, Eagle, Nico, Dolby, Hunter and Kilo, with “DEFEND HK” as the acronym, which has the implied meaning that they will safeguard Hong Kong.
A Customs spokesman said the Labrador Retriever was chosen as the breed dog this time given its keen sense of smell, friendly personality and strong obedience which are suitable for passenger and cargo screening.
An AVSECO sniffing dog was chosen to become the father dog, while a Customs drug detector dog become the mother dog.
The spokesman noted that local breeding could lower the cost of transportation and make sure the puppies bred were healthy and sound, adding that Customs will continue to explore different kinds of cooperation programs to proactively develop detector dog management as a professional branch for the department in a bid to assist in upgrading its enforcement efficiency.
