Detection

Working Dogs in Bio-Detection: The Emerging Market of Detection Dogs

As the use of detection dogs expands, so does the market for working dogs. Here's a look at where the industry is today and where it's headed.
Almog Koren
8 min read
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The Emerging Market of Detection Dogs

One of the biggest lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of biosecurity. As we become more globalized, the risk of diseases spreading rapidly across borders increases. This has created a demand for bio-detection dogs, which are trained to sniff out diseases and pathogens like COVID-19.

As a dog handler, you know that detection dogs are an invaluable tool in bio-security. But you may not know that the market for bio-detection dogs is proliferating. From customs and border control to healthcare, several industries are turning to bio-detection dogs to keep people safe—and the demand for bio-detection dogs will only increase in the coming years. 

Whether you're a regular dog handler or part of a more comprehensive K9 unit, it's essential to be up-to-date on the latest industry trends. Here's what you need to know about bio-detection dogs and the emerging market for their services.

What is bio-detection? 

Bio detection dog

Bio-detection is the process of using detection dogs to sniff out diseases and pathogens. Bio-detection dogs are trained to identify specific scents that are associated with diseases. For example, a bio-detection dog might be trained to identify the scent of COVID-19.

Bio-detection dogs are used in various industries, from healthcare to customs and border control. For example, in healthcare, bio-detection dogs can be used to screen patients for diseases like cancer. In customs and border control, bio-detection dogs can be used to sniff out food imports that may be contaminated with diseases.

These powerful scenting abilities make bio-detection dogs a valuable tool in the fight against disease. But they also have the potential to revolutionize other industries, like agriculture.

Bio-detection dogs are already being used to sniff out diseases in crops. This allows farmers to quickly identify and isolate diseased plants, preventing the spread of infection to healthy plants. In the future, bio-detection dogs may also be used to detect pests and diseases in livestock. 

It's an insane thought that we might one day be able to use bio-detection dogs to keep our food supply safe from diseases. Still, it's not far-fetched —the potential applications of bio-detection dogs are already proving to be limitless.

The market for bio-detection dogs is growing rapidly

K9 bio-detection is a relatively new industry, but it's already experiencing explosive growth. The global bio-detection market is expected to grow from $15 million in 2020 to $38 million by 2025, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.0%.

Dog bitting big sleve

Customs and border control is one of the largest markets for bio-detection dogs. The US CBP Canine Program (CBP) deployed over 1500 bio-detection dogs to airports nationwide. These bio-detection dogs are trained to sniff out food imports that may be contaminated with diseases, as well as illegal drugs and explosives. 

The healthcare industry is also using bio-detection dogs to screen patients for diseases. In 2019, a bio-detection dog in the UK was able to correctly identify cancer in 33 of 36 breath tests and in 37 of 38 stool tests. It equated to 95% accuracy overall. This now means that bio-detection dogs are being used alongside traditional cancer screenings, like mammograms and colonoscopies, to help improve the accuracy of a cancer diagnosis.


Not only does an early detection of cancer lead to better patient outcomes, but it also saves healthcare providers money. A bio-detection dog can screen a patient in minutes, whereas a mammogram or colonoscopy can take hours. In the future, bio-detection dogs may be used to screen for various other diseases, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This is a significant step forward in the use of bio-detection dogs, but there's still a long way to go. 

Army dog

Currently, bio-detection dogs are only being used in a handful of industries, but there's potential for them to be used in many more. As the market for bio-detection dogs grows, we can expect to see these versatile and powerful dogs being used in a variety of new and innovative ways.


Be at the forefront of bio-detection with DogBase

Here at DogBase, we believe in the power of technology to systematically drive high-performance working dogs. Our platform is centered on frictionless logging, tracking, and making AI-driven improvements.

We are building the future of bio-detection—ensuring no stone is left unturned in the fight against disease. We created DogBase with K9 teams and dog handlers in mind, to make their jobs easier and more efficient. But we also built it with the bio-detection market in mind—to help this industry reach its full potential.

If you're looking to be at the forefront of bio-detection, DogBase is the platform for you. Together, we can elevate the working dog industry and ensure that these amazing animals are used to their fullest potential.

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