Warhound Engineers Dogs For Military Duty

A new venture has emerged from stealth with a mission to genetically engineer dogs specifically for military and law enforcement use.

Warhound, a startup backed by $200 million in funding, values its work at $1.2 billion. The company was founded on an idea shared by Ben Lamm of Colossal Biosciences and Palmer Luckey of Anduril. Investors supporting this effort include Sequoia, 8VC, Corner Ventures, and In-Q-Tel, a firm linked to U.S. intelligence agencies. The project addresses a growing concern that over 80% of the U.S. military's working dogs come from Europe, with fewer than half being fit for service.

The concept began when Lamm met Luckey at a conference about a year ago. Luckey expressed a desire to improve the conditions for military working dogs. This conversation led Lamm to research how these animals are bred. He discovered that many dogs fail training due to inherited issues such as poor eyesight, cancer, hip dysplasia, or muscle atrophy. This research highlighted a need for animals with better health and longevity.

The team plans to use cell lines from top-performing breeds, specifically Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds. These cells are stored in a biobank for gene editing. The goal is to add genetic traits that improve speed, agility, and olfactory sensors for tasks like bomb detection. Simultaneously, the team intends to remove genes associated with performance issues. This process aims to create a new type of dog suited for demanding missions.

Anduril will provide the technological layer for these animals. The company will supply software and hardware, including protection vests and goggles. These items will feature data sensors that send information back to handlers. This setup is designed to improve situational awareness for both the dog and its human partner. Lamm described this approach as adding capabilities on top of the dog, rather than inside it, to keep the animal safer and healthier.

Colossal Biosciences, known for its work on de-extinction projects like the mammoth, provides the underlying technology. The company licenses its AI and gene cloning tools to Warhound. Viagen, another entity owned by Colossal, will handle the actual cloning process. Lamm noted that Viagen has a high success rate in cloning, which is already used in programs to protect endangered species. This partnership ensures that the biological foundation of the new dogs is robust.

The first batch of dogs is currently being cloned and incubated. Births are expected early next year, with the animals ideally entering service within two years. Warhound expects to sell these dogs to first responders, the Department of Defense, and police forces. While pricing has not been set, the company has briefed various government groups on its plans. Each dog will undergo standard military working dog training before deployment.

The American Humane Society is guiding Warhound to help certify its training program. The organization aims to ensure the animals are treated humanely throughout their service and retirement. Retired dogs may enter the Society's reunification program, which helps find homes for them. The Society stated that it looks forward to working with Warhound and Colossal to ensure ethical treatment. This collaboration seeks to balance technological advancement with animal welfare standards.