No. As with any dog, you must absolutely ask the handler before approaching. If you see a dog wearing a harness, vest or cape, assume it is working. Our K-9s are not family pets. When you see a Sheriff's K-9 out and about, assume it is working and on-duty to keep its deputy handler safe. By approaching, petting or trying to offer food to a K-9, you're detracting the dog from its ability to give its full attention to the task at hand and keeping its handler safe. This interference without the handler's permission could lead to a potentially dangerous situation. Any dog will react defensively when approached improperly.

A handler is responsible for the 24/7 feeding, bathing, grooming, training and veterinary care of the dog.

Typically we acquire dogs between one to two years old. They're beyond the puppy stage and we can train the dog from the start without any prior habits. Fully grown, the dogs weigh between 80 to 100 pounds so a handler needs to be in great physical shape.

Initially, the handlers and their dogs train for 12 weeks at a facility in Miramar. If they pass the test and are certified, they are cleared for active duty. Training never ends. Deputy and K-9 Teams are required to meet 16 hours of training per month to meet performance standards by the North American Police Work Dog Association and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

We look at the characteristics, drive and temperament of candidate dogs. German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are working breeds known for their intelligence, alertness, obedience, agility, loyalty, enthusiasm and alertness. They can easily adapt to different environments making them well-suited for law enforcement work.

Depending on their physical health, most K-9s can work an average of 10 years. Some dogs remain healthy and can work beyond that point. It depends on the physical condition of the dog and their continued willingness to work. Early retirement could happen if there is a physical limitation or injury in the line of duty.

The dog is retired and given to the handler to keep it as part of the family. If the dog is handled by more than one deputy during its career, it will retire with the last deputy it worked with.

The Sheriff's Department receives assistance from Harbor Police, San Diego Police, Cal State San Marcos Police, as well as federal agencies such as the FBI and ATF when it comes to bomb sniffing dogs. It depends on which agency is available to respond right away, as well as the location of the call in the county.

A dog's sense of smell is estimated to be 10,000 to 100,000 times better than ours. While humans have six million receptors in their noses to analyze smells, dogs have a staggering 300 million receptors. To visualize this disparity, a dog can detect a teaspoon of sugar in water enough to fill two Olympic-sized swimming pools or one dirty sock in a pile of two million clean ones.

Each dog could cost up to $15,000. We have been fortunate to receive donations through the Honorary Deputy Sheriff's Association.

Donations to the Sheriff's K-9 Unit can be made through the Honorary Deputy Sheriff's Association or HDSA.