The German Shepherd Dog
Sometimes referred to as the perfect working dog, the German Shepherd is exceptionally well suited to this rigorous work. Developed in the 1890's by a German cavalry officer, today's well-bred German Shepherds are a versatile all-round breed, consistently sensible and intelligent, easily trained and with exceptional stamina. These are the qualities for which they are valued for police work, tracking, search and rescue, assisting the disabled, and, increasingly, for explosive detector work. European breeding stock, particularly from the former Eastern Block, is known to produce top quality dogs, with fewer of the health and temperament challenges present in some North American breed lines. The dogs selected for the Canine Demine programme must be in top physical health and temperamentally stable, with keen trainability and mental acuity. Their olfactory senses must be excellent and a strong prey drive is essential.

Training
As with most working dog training, in the beginning, finding the explosives is set up as a game, the task as simple as "find the ball". Dog and handler progress to various types of situations and materials, including live ordinance, with the reward being the handler's enthusiasm and praise. The dog is trained to indicate the presence of explosive by calmly sitting a short distance from the location of the scent. In Bosnia and Croatia, CIDC is able to simulate real minefield conditions using defused landmines and buried unexploded ordinance. This training environment is combined with stringent and sophisticated testing and accreditation standards to produce some of the highest quality mine detection dog teams in the world.

Handlers
The bond between dog and handler is essential, as it is expected that they will work as a team for a minimum of 5 years and every day their lives depend on each other. This working relationship is driven by mutual trust and respect, and the handler must be able to focus closely on the dog's mannerisms and behaviour. Since finding explosives is, for the dog, a form of entertainment, the handler must be alert to any inconsistencies in the dog's actions, since, like people, they can become bored (or may be unwell), and must not be worked in less than optimal conditions.

The selection of handlers, and the matching of appropriate temperaments of handlers and dogs are critical. This is primarily a working relationship, and in addition to de-mining skills, the handlers are also trained in basic canine care, grooming, sanitation, and health topics. Rigorous safety procedures are mandatory, as each member of the team, handler and dog, is equally exposed to mortal risk.

Handlers are chosen and trained to standards that meet or exceed those set by the United Nations. By training local people to work as handlers and support staff for the dogs, CIDC develops regional expertise and promotes long term reclamation and sustainability for mine affected countries.

Working Conditions
Generally, the dogs and handlers work in areas that have been set up in 10 metre grids by manual deminers, which clear safe access lanes about a metre wide around the task area. Working in teams, each dog, on leash and upwind, traverses the grid. If a dog indicates the presence of explosives, the location is marked and another dog handler team traverses the same grid 3 hours later. Found ordinance is removed manually or mechanically.

The dogs work best in moderate temperatures and dry weather conditions with light vegetation. Alex and Fanny are currently based in the CIDC Corps kennels near Trebinje in southern Bosnia, near the borders with Montenegro and Croatia, which enjoys a Mediterranean climate that is conducive to year-round operations.

No CIDC dog has ever been killed performing this essential service.