Dax: Archaeological Scent Detection Canine

Abstract

Humans have used the olfactory abilities of canines for years. Any canine has the ability to smell out cancer, explosives, and human remains. No one has ever used the olfactory abilities of canines for archeological mammal bone detection, until now. Dax, a border collie, Australian shepherd mix is currently being trained as an archeological detection dog. Dax has been training on archeological bones since she was 12-weeks old. She trains 5-6 times a week on archeological detection. Methods, procedures and results will be presented. The end goal is for Dax to accompany her owner, who happens to be an archeologist, on digs to aid in the detection of archeological bones.