Let's Get Nosey!

K-9 Cash is a Belgian Malinois, born on February 5, 2014, and is currently living with his handler, Dana. He is a certified narcotics detection dog and is the son of the well-known K-9 Reba (deceased). Cash was named after the legendary Johnny Cash, “the man in black.”

Imprinted on drug odors at just 4 weeks old, Cash has been trained for narcotics detection from an early age and takes his work very seriously. On the job, he is all business and refuses to be distracted by socialization. However, when off-duty, Cash is a laid-back companion who loves to relax and is often found lounging as Dana’s constant shadow—truly a "mama’s boy."

K-9 Legion is a Belgian Malinois, born on March 14, 2014, and lives with his handler, Mallory. He is certified in narcotics detection and, like all our dogs, is passionate about his job, approaching his work with great attention to detail.

When Legion isn’t on the clock, he enjoys finding crunchy leaves (his version of potato chips), hiking, and paddle boarding. He also has a flair for social media and is striving to become Instagram-famous! Be sure to follow him on Instagram at @k9.legion to keep up with his latest adventures.

In addition to his impressive skills, K-9 Legion is the 2nd place winner of the 2024 ICRWDA K9 Trials in Narcotics Detection, further showcasing his expertise and dedication to the job.

K-9 Widow, also known as "The Widow Maker," is a Belgian Malinois born on May 5, 2015 (Cinco de Mayo), proudly representing her Mexican bloodlines. She is certified in narcotics detection and, despite her smaller size for the breed, she more than makes up for it with her big heart and unwavering enthusiasm for the job.

Clients admire Widow’s methodical and thorough search style, which showcases her dedication to the task at hand. She takes her work very seriously, always focused and diligent on the job.

When not working, Widow enjoys being her handler's jogging partner and dreaming about her next search.

K-9 Oakley is a German Shepherd born on February 22, 2021, and lives with his handler, Michaley. Certified in narcotics detection, Oakley was initially intended to be a family pet. However, it quickly became clear that he was born to work. His full potential as a detection dog was realized when he met one of our trainers at a scent work class, where his skills were fully brought to light.

In his downtime, Oakley enjoys hiking, keeping his feline roommate on its toes, and helping his mom work on her throwing arm.

Follow Oakley’s journey on Instagram: @oakleyboy_gsd.

K-9 Herald is a Labrador Retriever born on August 15, 2019, and lives with her handler Robert. Certified in narcotics detection, she was named after the definition of "Herald" – the messenger – reflecting her crucial role in delivering important information during searches.

Unlike her Shepherd counterparts who are driven by a game of tug-o-war, Herald is motivated by treats, a reward style that’s typical for Labradors! In her off time, she loves swimming and could play ball all day long.

K-9 Herald is also the 3rd place winner of the 2024 ICRWDA K9 Trials for Narcotics Detection.

K-9 Kismet is a Belgian Malinois born on December 19, 2021, and lives with her handler Dana. Certified in narcotics detection, Kismet’s name, meaning “fate” or “destiny,” perfectly reflects how she came into our lives. She is the niece/cousin of our well-known dogs K-9 Reba (deceased) and K-9 Cash.

Kismet is the social butterfly of the company. When she’s not hard at work, you’ll find her mingling at networking events or offering love and therapy to staff and patients after the sniffing job is done. Known for her playful nature, Kismet often brings laughter with her silly antics.

Follow K-9 Kismet on Instagram: @k9.kismet

K-9 Cora, a Labrador Retriever born on September 25, 2021, was trained by Ford K-9 in narcotics detection and has been an invaluable addition to our team. Handled by Michaley, Cora's incredible drive rivals that of a Belgian Malinois, throwing herself into every task with 100% commitment. Her enthusiastic greetings often involve a full-body slam, showing just how much energy she has!

When she's not working, K-9 Cora enjoys chewing on her favorite bones or playing with her four-legged roommate.

K-9 Riggins, a Labrador Retriever born on January 12, 2020, lives with his handler Robert and is trained in narcotics detection. Nicknamed "Riggs," he was named after the legendary NFL player John Robert Riggins of the Washington Redskins. On the job, K-9 Riggins is quiet, dignified, and focused, often showing a bit of disdain for the high-energy antics of his Malinois colleagues.

When not working, K-9 Riggins maintains his impressive physique with regular laps in the pool and enjoys a solid game of fetch.

K-9 Gracie, a German Shepherd born on December 9, 2019, lives with her handler Jessica and is trained and certified in narcotics detection. While Gracie has a laid-back personality, she is a dedicated and diligent worker with a particular love for her job. She also has a playful obsession with tennis balls.

When off-duty, K-9 Gracie embraces her full German Shepherd instincts by overseeing the operations of the horse farm, hanging out with her Chihuahua siblings, and excelling as a horse show dog.

K-9 Steel, a German Shepherd born on June 6, 2019, lives with his handler Kate. He is certified in both narcotics and firearms detection, making him a versatile and valuable member of the team. Steel got his name due to his "nerves of steel" as a young pup, displaying fearlessness and a natural curiosity that led him to get into everything.

Steel's training began at just 8 weeks old, and his enthusiasm for work has only grown since. On the job, he’s known for his vocal excitement, often announcing his arrival with his eager energy. Though he’s all business when it comes to detecting, he’s also a mama's boy, and loves his tug or ball almost as much as his handler, Kate.

K-9 Kimber is a field line English Cocker Spaniel (working cocker), born on April 3, 2023, and lives with her handler Dana. Kimber is certified in firearm detection and is specifically trained to work in middle and high schools to help ensure the safety of students and staff. However, her versatile skills allow her to be used in any scenario requiring the detection of firearms.

Kimber is known for her enthusiastic and intense work ethic, with an innate ability to hunt. Whether it’s sniffing for firearms or tracking any scent, Kimber is always on the job. Off duty? Well, there’s no such thing! This girl is always hunting. We are hopeful that one day Kimber will locate her very own “off-switch,” but for now, she’s on a continuous mission.

Follow Kimber on Instagram at @shes.apistol for updates on her adventures!

K-9 Koa is a German Shepherd, born on November 16, 2017, in the UK, and currently lives with her handler Kate. Koa is certified in firearm detection and specializes in finding firearms, ammunition, and spent shell casings, crucial for ensuring safety in a variety of environments.

Koa's journey started when she was brought over as a puppy and joined Kate at 6 months old. She began her training in firearm detection at the age of 1 and has since proven to be an invaluable team member.

When she's not working, Koa is all about her favorite ball and has an undeniable love for water. She'll do anything to get in it, even attempting to climb out of a second-floor window just to get closer to her beloved water sources!

K-9 Remi is a German Shepherd, born on August 13, 2023, and currently lives with her handler Kate. Remi is certified in firearm detection and started her training at just 8 weeks old, specializing in identifying firearms, ammunition, and spent shell casings.

Remi’s journey began when she flew home with Kate from Florida and immediately started training for firearm detection. She is highly motivated to work and deeply attached to her handler. Over time, Remi has developed a love for toys, particularly balls, frisbees, and stuffed animals, which she enjoys playing with in her downtime.

Despite growing quickly, she still thinks of herself as tiny, even though she outgrew the other two shepherds in her household by the time she was 8 months old.

A common question we receive is: At what age do we retire our K9s? The answer depends on the individual dog. We work our detection dogs for as long as they are able to safely and comfortably perform their duties. As they age, they may lose some stamina, and we adjust their workload accordingly. For instance, they might be given smaller locations or take summers off if they are sensitive to the heat.

Even as they age, we continue to involve them in demonstrations or social events, ensuring they stay mentally and physically engaged.

The breeds we work with are naturally driven and love their jobs. We aim to keep them active for their well-being, adjusting their roles as necessary, until either they signal that they’re ready for lighter duties, or it’s in their best interest to slow down.

We couldn’t do what we do without them. After years of dedicated service, it’s our privilege to ensure they are honored and cared for in their retirement years as well.

K-9 Lucy is a Belgian Malinois, born on July 12, 2011. She joined Desert Drug Dog at the age of 18 months and was trained in narcotics detection. K-9 Lucy lives with her handler, Amy, and is well-known for her irrational exuberance and boundless energy. Always excited to begin her work, Lucy is driven and passionate about what she does best: sniffing for drugs. As a classic Malinois, Lucy has been a joy to watch on the job, her focus and determination making her a skilled detection dog. Off duty, Lucy enjoys her semi-retirement, spending time running in open fields and patrolling the lakeshore with her German Shorthair Pointer cousin, Pearl.

Even though she’s retired from full duty, K-9 Lucy continues to live life to the fullest, embodying the hardworking spirit of her breed.

K-9 Pi is a Belgian Malinois, born on October 2, 2014, in Phoenix. Over the years, she has worked with numerous handlers, gaining experience and honing her skills in narcotics detection and various other tasks. Pi has had several litters, and her pups have gone on to become both police dogs and private sector working dogs, continuing her legacy of service.

Now semi-retired, K-9 Pi occasionally takes on jobs as an ambassador, representing our team of four-legged staff members. When she’s not working, Pi enjoys leisurely neighborhood walks, long hikes, and floating around in kayaks—embracing a pampered lifestyle provided by her loving owner, Holly.

Though mostly retired, Pi continues to live life with the same enthusiasm and spirit she brought to her work, proving that even in semi-retirement, she is as dedicated as ever to her team and her legacy.

K-9 Dargo was a Belgian Malinois trained in narcotics detection and the co-founder of Desert Drug Dog. His incredible work ethic and dedication to the job were the driving force behind the company’s inception. To this day, Dargo remains a beloved figure among our long-term clients and is remembered fondly for his outstanding contributions.

Throughout his career, K-9 Dargo was featured on numerous news broadcasts, including the national show Fox & Friends, gaining widespread recognition for his work. In addition to his detection work, Dargo was also certified as a therapy dog, offering comfort and companionship to both patients and families during some of the most stressful moments.

A testament to his legacy, one of our original clients started the tradition of “The Dargo Award”, which is given to the staff member who finds the most drugs within their facility. This tradition lives on, and you can bring The Dargo Award to your facility too. Contact us today to learn how!

K-9 Caela was a Belgian Malinois who joined our team in 2015. With her over-the-top work ethic and joyful demeanor, Caela quickly became a beloved member of our team. She was known for her dedication to her work and her ability to make people smile—except for those whose drugs she found during searches!

Tragically, K-9 Caela left us too soon after a scorpion sting triggered a pancreatic illness. Her memory, however, continues to live on with us and our clients. Her joyful spirit and tireless work ethic have left a lasting impact, and she will always be remembered for the positive difference she made in the lives of so many.

K-9 Reba was a Belgian Malinois, born on May 13, 2010, in Louisiana. She was truly a unicorn of her breed, combining an extraordinary level of drive with an incredibly social and loving personality. Reba stood out not only for her work ethic but for her deep compassion.

She had a litter of 10 puppies, each of which went on to work in law enforcement, detection, or personal protection. Among them was our very own K-9 Cash, as well as K-9 Tarzan (retired MCSO, deceased) and K-9 Koki (El Mirage PD, killed in the line of duty).

K-9 Reba’s impact went beyond detection work. She served as our PR Manager, taking over from K-9 Dargo, and attended countless public events, expos, and networking meetings. It wasn’t uncommon for Reba to sense when someone needed her the most—she would find them, climb into their laps, and offer comfort as they hugged her, releasing deep emotions and finding solace in her presence.

Her legacy lives on through her work, her puppies, and the countless hearts she touched.