A New Line of War Dogs

A new venture backed by high-profile investors in defense and genetics has emerged from a period of development with $200 million in funding. Warhound, a company focused on engineering dogs for military and law enforcement use, announced its launch with a $200 million round that includes investors like Sequoia, 8VC, Corner Ventures, and the CIA-backed venture firm In-Q-Tel. The investment round values the company at $1.2 billion.

The company's plan addresses a specific problem within the U.S. military. According to Warhound, more than 80% of the American military's working dogs are sourced from European countries, and fewer than half of those imported animals are deemed fit for service. This reliance on foreign suppliers, coupled with a high rate of unfitness among imported dogs, creates a shortage of suitable animals for tasks like bomb detection and search operations. Warhound intends to engineer dogs that are physically equipped for such demanding missions.

The venture was founded by Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal Biosciences, and Palmer Luckey, a partner at Anduril. Lamm explained that after a conversation with Luckey about improving the welfare of military dogs, he investigated the breeding of working animals and learned many fail training due to inherited health issues. His team has taken cell lines from top-performing Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds to begin editing their genes, aiming to remove markers for diseases like cancer and hip dysplasia while enhancing traits such as agility and olfactory abilities.

Anduril will contribute hardware and software designed to assist the animals and their handlers. This includes equipment like protective vests and goggles intended to improve situational awareness. Lamm described the potential for technology like bulletproof vests equipped with sensors that transmit data back to a handler. He stated, “The idea is, if we make the dog safer, make it healthier, make it perform better, it’s going to perform better in the line of duty.”

The project has begun its initial phase, with the first batch of dogs scheduled to be cloned and incubated soon. Lamm anticipates that these animals will be born early next year, with the potential for them to begin service within two years. The company intends to sell these engineered dogs to first responders, the Department of Defense, and police forces, though it has not yet determined pricing.

Warhound is operating in coordination with the American Humane Society to help certify its training program. The organization also provides homes for retired military dogs through its Military Working Dog Reunification Program. The American Humane Society released a statement saying, “We applaud Warhound and Colossal for inviting the country’s first national humane organization, which is grounded in science and ethics, to have a seat at the table. We look forward to working with them to help ensure the animals in their care are treated humanely.”