Homegrown police dog bred for success

Advanced reproductive technologies such as semen cryopreservation and embryo transfer have been employed to address reproductive challenges in dogs.

In addition, gene-assisted breeding and disease screening technologies have been implemented. Through whole-genome resequencing and genome-wide association studies, genes associated with traits like olfaction, endurance and environmental adaptability for police work were identified, resulting in the creation of a comprehensive genetic variation map.

In 2024, a gene chip specifically designed for the Kunming dog was developed to verify breed purity and screen for genetic diseases such as hip dysplasia and retinal detachment.

In the past few years, cloning technology has been promoted. China's first cloned police dog, Kunxun, was born in December 2018 following joint research led by the Kunming police dog base. The animal is a clone of Huahuangma, a 7-year-old female police sniffer Kunming wolfdog. Huahuangma was recognized by the Ministry of Public Security as a first-class meritorious dog in 2016, for her contributions to murder case investigations.

The cloned individual achieved a DNA similarity of over 99.9 percent with the donor, enabling the precise replication of the exemplary genes of the meritorious dog.

Different skills

The Kunming dog has advantages over other established police dog breeds, such as the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois, Li said.

As a native breed, the Kunming dog often shows better resilience and adaptability in harsh conditions including high altitudes, cold, or extreme heat.

Each of the three strains of the breed possesses its own strength. The back black strain, known for its fierceness, is ideal for roles in public security. The straw yellow strain typically shows prolonged excitability, making it more suitable for tracking tasks. The wolf black strain combines the strengths of the other two, offering enhanced overall capability and stability.

On March 2, a 5-month-old black back Kunming dog named Wangcai formally took part in his first blood scent recognition training session at the dog base.

Under a large tree, Wangcai quickly pinpointed the location of the bloodstain and alerted his trainer, Pang Shuanglong.

The 27-year-old trainer said Wangcai is a very clever dog. Sometimes, after locating the target, he pretends not to have found it just to get a few extra treats.

The breed has an excellent sense of smell. Between 2018 and 2024, researchers at the Kunming police dog base conducted a scent recognition and tracking study on 1,040 police dogs. Among the breeds tested, the Kunming dog ranked first, achieving an accuracy rate of 92.58 percent.