Man’s Best Friend. Man’s Best Defense.

A highly trained four-legged sentinel — renowned for its sense of smell, mental focus, and physical fitness — actively reinforces safety in schools, crowded stadiums, airports and beyond.

Meet The Auburn University Dog™.

What began in 1990 as a research enterprise focused on advancing understanding of basic canine olfactory capabilities for detection of explosives resulted in the origination of VAPOR WAKE® technology through the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Canine Performance Sciences (CPS) program.

Our Mission

CPS innovates in canine detection technology by exploring basic and applied research frontiers in olfaction, behavior, genetics, and physical performance.

Our Work

At Auburn University’s Canine Performance Sciences (CPS), we are elevating protection for all.

CPS scientists play a vital role in advancing the capabilities and application of canine technology in a variety of settings, mainly in national security, public safety and conservation.

At the core of our program is the most superior detection dog, The Auburn University Dog™, a culmination of over 30 years of dedication to one abiding mission: protecting the nation’s people and critical infrastructure. A bastion of health, physical prowess, trainability, versatility, and superlative detection capabilities, the Auburn University Dog is the state-of-the-art mobile detection technology.

Our team is protecting you by pioneering research that enables transformative advances in detection canine capabilities, such as Auburn’s VAPOR WAKE® detection technology, that has revolutionized security in airports, stadiums, and schools.

CPS investigates new lines of inquiry in olfaction, neuroscience, genetics, and physical performance to increase the capabilities of our canine partners to detect existing and emerging threats. CPS draws experts in experimental psychology, behavior, neurology, biophysics, biomechanics, nutrition, exercise physiology, genetics, theriogenology, engineering, chemistry, and biology.

From Puppies to Guardians

The development of the Auburn University Dog starts with a highly structured, science-based process resulting in the ultimate detection dog — a medically healthy, temperamentally sound, and olfactory-capable canine born ready for specialized training.

As the globally recognized leader in canine detection, CPS breeds canines to possess specific traits for mobile detection which sets them apart as the world’s most advanced detection dogs. CPS’ breeding program follows cutting-edge theriogenology practices, incorporating genetic and genomic concepts to influence breeding selection and enhance puppy development.

The traits of an Auburn University Dog start with the most superior dams and sires. Breeding stock is selected after several behavioral, physical, and medical evaluations.

CPS-bred canines have finely tuned noses. They highly value rewards and are willing to continually search to find their target. High hunt instincts and highly trainable characteristics enable them to learn new tasks quickly.

An Auburn University Dog is highly independent, fearless, and motivated to work skillfully.

An important component of the journey from breeding to field work is the 11-month “puppy school,” where they become socialized and conditioned to investigate for rewards, before being placed into operational roles.

Dogs undergo multiple evaluations to tailor their training and development program for future work placement.

Help Raise a Hero

CPS dogs have saved lives locally and globally. Your generosity can help raise canine heroes and support future innovations in canine detection technology. Contact the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Office of Advancement for more information at 334-844-1254 or make a tax-deductible gift online.

Help Raise a Hero

Contact Us