Can dogs detect COVID-19?

Article

Canine olfactive (sense of smell) detection has proven its efficacy in numerous situations (explosives, drugs, bank notes…) including for early diagnosis of human diseases: various cancers, alert of diabetic or epileptic people in immediate alarm of crisis.

(Pirrone and Albertini, 2017)*
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Stage one

The scent will be placed in a tube or on a piece of cloth. The dog will then play with it until associating the object with the odor. 

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Stage two

While the dog is watching, the object is hidden in an easily accessible area before being encouraged to find it. The object will then be hidden in more difficult areas to access. Positive reinforcement is used to encourage the dog to find the object.

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Stage three

The object covered in the desired scent is now hidden in an inaccessible place, without the dog watching where it is hidden. They will then be given a command to find the object and trained to signal when they can smell the desired odor.

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Stage four

The object is no longer used and the dog must now learn to search for the odor associated with the object.

Around the world, there are a number of different researchers looking into the possibility of training dogs to detect COVID-19. The Nosais Project in France at the Alfort Veterinary School is being led by Professor Dominique Grandjean and Clothilde Lecoq, who are looking into the effectiveness of training dogs commonly used to detect other substances.

So far, results from their initial research have been promising, concluding there is high evidence that dogs can detect a person infected by COVID-19.

What traits are common in detection dogs?

Detection dogs have been used for decades and the ideal traits in these dogs are playfulness and dynamism with plenty of energy, as it can be hard work to carry out multiple searches each day. Also, a dogs sense of smell is incredibly powerful, and much better than that of a human, making it possible for them to detect COVID-19 through odors.

The 18 dogs participating in the study each had an existing skill, such as detecting explosives, banknotes and disaster zones as well as diseases like colon cancer. However, dogs that have previously detected drugs were excluded from the study.

Belgian Shepherds, German Shepherds and Labradors are commonly used as detection dogs. However, Cocker Spaniels and Yorkshire Terriers are beginning to be used more with one reason being they can be transported in the arms of their handler easily if it's necessary to navigate difficult terrain.

Can dogs suffer from coronavirus symptoms?

The current spread of COVID-19 is a result of human to human transmission. According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to date, there is no evidence to suggest that companion animals are playing a role in the spread of COVID-19. 

Find our latest guidance on the coronavirus pandemic and how this could affect your pet here.

How will these dogs be used within society?

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