Beagle pups join border protection service

One of the MAF Beagle puppies. Photo / Amos Chapple.

The newest members of New Zealand's border protection staff have started work - four beagle puppies.

The puppies were genetically engineered in a joint collaboration between MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) and Britain's Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles (AMHB), which aimed to improve the breeding line of detector dogs.

Semen from AMHB hunting lines was inseminated into the best working lines from the MAFBNZ detector dog breeding programme , and the first litter arrived in February.

National Detector Dog programme manager for MAFBNZ Craig Hughes said today he believed the genetic material was from the best possible lines of hunting beagles in the world.

"The AMHB have now helped secure the future of the MAFBNZ breeding programme, and will ensure that many more generations of high-quality detector dogs will be on hand to protect and defend New Zealand's borders."

AMHB director Lizzie Salmon said she was pleased the association had been able to contribute to the country's protection.

"We are very happy to have been able to help the programme and for the international recognition of our hunting beagles ."

- NZPA