Skip to content

Help wanted: Government seeks dogs who play with balls

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has asked SooToday.com to help it recruit "retrieving crazy" detector dogs. Not that they'd even think of discriminating on basis of species, but preference is being given to Labrador retrievers.
MNRDog

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has asked SooToday.com to help it recruit "retrieving crazy" detector dogs.

Not that they'd even think of discriminating on basis of species, but preference is being given to Labrador retrievers.

German Shepherds and good cross-bred hunting dogs will also be considered.

Here's the request they sent us:

************************************* Detector dogs needed

MNR's Detector Dog Service is looking for three or four dogs that are between one to two years old, confident, sound and retrieving crazy.

A training course for new detector dogs will be starting in April 2004.

Labrador Retrievers are the preferred breed of dog, however, other hunting breeds, German Shepherds and cross-bred dogs can show good traits and will also be considered.

Both male and female dogs are acceptable, as all service dogs are spayed or neutered before entering active service.

Candidate dogs must be healthy, love to play with balls and toys, inclined to hunt and retrieve hidden objects and be confident around people, other dogs, vehicles and unfamiliar surroundings.

Brian Morrison, acting Supervisor of the Detector Dog Service, will test promising candidates for these traits and he will send those that pass for a detailed veterinary exam including x-rays of the hips and elbows.

The dogs currently in the unit have come from families, canine vision schools, Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and dog pounds.

The unit tries to get donations, but has paid for dogs in the past.

If you have a dog that may be suitable, available and meets the listed criteria, or know of someone else who does, contact Brian Morrison, Acting Supervisor Detector Dog Service, at 705-564-7858.

***************************


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.




David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
Read more