sniffer dog

American  

[snif-er dawg, dog] / ˈsnɪf ər ˌdɔg, ˌdɒg /

Sometimes sniff dog

noun

1. a dog trained to find illegal drugs or explosives by smell.

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sniffer dog British  

noun

1. a police dog trained to detect drugs or explosives by smell

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Etymology

Origin of sniffer dog

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sniffer dog

Trudeau’s government hired a film crew to capture two Black Hawk helicopters and a sniffer dog on patrol.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Police said Friday that the coast guard, police and fire department were involved in the search, with a helicopter, drones and a police sniffer dog deployed.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 7, 2024

A police sniffer dog had tracked him to a nearby street where his grandmother lives.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2023

Military officials said the dog was the mother of Wilson, the sniffer dog who became a national hero after helping find the children.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 27, 2023

Police said they were mourning two officers and a sniffer dog killed in the floods, among the worst to affect the east coast province in recorded history.

From Reuters ● Apr. 18, 2022