SEARCH & DETECTION DOGS
Search and Detection Dogs for Hire
Trained sniffer dogs and experienced handlers for drugs, explosives, firearms, cash and pyrotechnics, at venues, events, workplaces and schools, arranged quickly and carried out discreetly.
WHAT WE DO
Sniffer dogs that find what people try to hide
A detection dog can search a room, a vehicle or a line of people in a fraction of the time it would take a person, and it can pick up scents that no search by hand would find. That makes a sniffer dog one of the most effective ways to keep drugs, weapons and other prohibited items out of your premises, and one of the most visible ways to show staff, customers and visitors that you take it seriously.
Pride K9 provides search and detection dog teams for one-off searches, regular visits and events. Every search is planned with you first, carried out calmly and recorded properly, so you have a clear account of what was checked and what, if anything, was found.
Our detection teams work alongside our security dog handlers, security guards and event security teams, so a search can be part of a wider security plan rather than a one-off.
WHAT THEY FIND
What our detection dogs are trained to find
Each dog is trained and assessed on a specific group of scents. Tell us what the risk is and we will send the right team.
Drugs
Passive dogs that screen people at an entrance without contact, and proactive dogs that search buildings, vehicles and belongings for controlled substances.
Explosives
Explosive detection dogs for venue sweeps, event sites, vehicles and deliveries, before opening and during an event.
Firearms and weapons
Dogs trained on firearms, ammunition and weapon-related scents for venues, events and high-risk premises.
Cash
Currency detection for cash-in-transit sites, warehouses, offices and investigations where money is being hidden or moved.
Pyrotechnics
Flares, fireworks and smoke devices picked up at the gates of stadiums, concerts and festivals before they reach the crowd.
Combined teams
Passive and proactive dogs working together, so the gate and the site are covered at the same time.
WHERE THEY WORK
Detection dog searches for every kind of site
Detection dogs are most often booked where drugs or weapons are a known risk to safety, to a licence or to a business's reputation. A visible search at the door deters people from bringing anything in, and a planned search of the building finds what has already got through.
- Bars, clubs and licensed premises
- Festivals, concerts, stadiums and arenas
- Workplaces, warehouses and construction sites
- Schools, colleges and student accommodation
- Vehicles, car parks, depots and loading bays
- Vacant buildings before they are let or sold
SERVICES
Detection dog services
Entry searches
Passive sniffer dogs screen guests as they arrive, without contact and without slowing the queue.
Premises searches
A planned search of rooms, toilets, lockers and communal areas, inside or outside opening hours.
Vehicle searches
Cars, vans and lorries checked at gates, compounds and loading bays.
Event detection teams
Dog teams at the gates and on site for festivals, stadiums and events, working with stewards and door staff.
Find out moreRandom workplace checks
Unannounced visits that support your drug and alcohol policy and keep it credible.
Search reports
A written record of every search: where was checked, any indications and what was done.
THE K9 DEPLOYMENT PACK
Paperwork that answers the questions before they are asked
Venues, event organisers, schools and HR teams need to show that a search was lawful, proportionate and properly run. For every deployment we provide a K9 deployment pack that can stand alone or sit inside your event management plan or workplace policy.
- Risk assessment and method statement for the search
- Search plan: areas, timings, how indications are handled and when the police are called
- Handler SIA licences and training records, available on request
- Dog training and assessment certificates
- Insurance certificates
- A written search report after every visit
HOW IT WORKS
How a detection dog search works
Tell us about the site
We talk through the premises, the concern and any policies you have, and agree the right type of dog and search.
Plan the search
We agree timings, the areas to cover and how any finds will be handled, including when the police should be involved.
Carry out the search
The handler and dog work through the agreed areas calmly and discreetly, with minimal disruption.
Report back
You receive a clear record of the search and our advice on anything that needs following up.
WHY PRIDE K9
Experienced handlers, properly trained dogs
A detection dog is only as good as its handler. Our teams know how to read their dogs, how to run a search lawfully and fairly, and how to deal with people calmly when a dog indicates. That matters in a busy venue or a workplace where the search needs to be done without fuss.
Pride K9 has over 30 years of experience in the security industry, is a NASDU Associate Company Member and works to BS 8517, with cover across the UK, 24 hours a day. Searches can be booked as a one-off, as a regular visit or as part of the security for an event.
FAQs
Detection dog FAQs
What is a detection dog?
A detection dog, often called a sniffer dog or search dog, is trained to find a particular group of scents and show its handler where they are. Breeds such as spaniels and Labradors are common because of their strong sense of smell and their drive to search. Each dog is trained on a specific discipline, such as drugs or explosives, rather than everything at once.
What is the difference between a passive and a proactive dog?
A passive dog sits or stands still when it finds a scent on a person, so it is used to screen people at an entrance without touching them. A proactive dog searches buildings, vehicles and objects more actively and is used when no members of the public are present.
Do you provide explosive detection dogs?
Yes. Explosive detection dog teams are available for venue and event sweeps, vehicle and delivery checks and high-risk premises. Tell us about the site and the risk and we will confirm availability and the search plan. Firearms, cash and pyrotechnic detection can be arranged in the same way.
What happens if the dog indicates?
The handler records the indication and your staff or security team follow the procedure agreed before the search, which usually means a polite private conversation and, where appropriate, a search by an authorised person or a call to the police. We agree this with you in advance so everyone knows what to do.
Can you search a workplace without warning staff?
Yes, unannounced searches can be arranged, as long as they are covered by your drug and alcohol policy and your staff have been told searches may take place. We can talk this through with you before the first visit.
Can detection dogs search a school or college?
Yes. Schools and colleges use detection dogs for planned searches of lockers, bags and communal areas, and for passive screening at the gate, usually as part of a wider drugs policy agreed with governors and parents. Our handlers are experienced in working calmly around young people and the search is planned with the school beforehand.
Do you cover sites outside the West Midlands?
Yes. We are based in Walsall and cover Birmingham and the West Midlands day to day, with detection dog teams available for searches and events across the UK.
Request a quote
Get a quote for detection dogs
Tell us about the site, the problem you are facing and the hours you need covered, and we will come back to you with a price and a plan. No obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call 0344 800 7066 any time — we answer 24 hours a day.
Call our experts today
Talk to a security specialist about your site, any time of day or night.
0344 800 7066Request a quote