How Austria's Customs Sniffer Dogs Are Tracking Down Smugglers

The employees of the Austrian Customs Office are currently supported by a total of 29 specialized service dogs. In the first half of 2025 alone, the sniffer dogs were able to seize around 255,000 smuggled cigarettes, 212 kilograms of drugs, and more than 175,000 euros in cash.

Diverse trained sniffer dogs at customs

The majority of the four-legged friends at customs are shepherd dogs – including ten German and eight Belgian Shepherds (Malinois). Additionally, there are eight German Shorthaired Pointers and three Labradors. In total, 18 dogs are assigned to detect cigarettes, tobacco, and visible poison, nine for cash and drugs, and two for the area of species protection and narcotics.

Special training with reward system

The animals are trained directly at customs offices and border crossings. Depending on the purpose of deployment, they receive combined training – for example, for drugs and cash or as a species protection dog. For the latter area, the customs office works closely with the Schönbrunn Zoo. The training is conducted using "clicker training," where the dogs are rewarded with play or food for passively indicating a find. They remain with their nose at the affected spot until the customs personnel check the suspicious package.

Deserved retirement after around ten years

After about ten years, the sniffer dogs retire. The intense bond between the dog and the handler often leads to many animals staying in their familiar environment even after their active time. Human and animal thus usually form a well-coordinated team beyond service.

(Red)

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