Dog handler

You and a dog would work as a team, to prevent and detect crime, find lost or missing people or protect property, depending on where you work.

You’d work with a specially trained dog, care for it and be responsible for controlling it. You would need to be confident and patient with the dog.

Dog handlers mainly work for the police, the Army, the RAF, the UK Border Agency, HM Revenue and Customs and private security firms.

In the police service you would work with your dog to:

• Track missing people

• Control crowds, for example at football matches

• Search for explosives or illegal drugs

• Chase armed criminals

• Guard prisoners

• Search for stolen property

• Search for human remains

• Support armed officers

In the Army and RAF you’d work to:

• Guard military bases and aircraft hangers

• Locate land mines and other explosives

• Search for casualties

Customs officers use dogs at ports, airports and large railway stations to detect:

• Drugs, tobacco and cigarettes

• Food products being brought into the country illegally

In the security industry, you and your dog would:

• Patrol and guard property

• Guard construction sites

• Search for explosives or illegal drugs

• Provide security at events

You could also work for other services, such as the Fire and Rescue Service and HM Prison Service, or for a mountain rescue team.

• National Search and Rescue Dog Association - About becoming a dog handler for search and rescue

• Police Scotland - Recruitment information

• Security Industry Authority - the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK

• HM Revenue and Customs - Recruitment information

• Border Force - Government body that carries out migration and customs controls for people and goods entering the UK