Dog handler
Work with a specially-trained dog to prevent and detect crime, find lost or missing people or protect property.
About the job
What it's like
You and a dog would work as a team, to prevent and detect crime, find lost or missing people or protect property, depending on where you work.
You’d work with a specially trained dog, care for it and be responsible for controlling it. You would need to be confident and patient with the dog.
Dog handlers mainly work for the police, the Army, the RAF, the UK Border Agency, HM Revenue and Customs and private security firms.
In the police service you would work with your dog to:
Track missing people
Control crowds, for example at football matches
Search for explosives or illegal drugs
Chase armed criminals
Guard prisoners
Search for stolen property
Search for human remains
Support armed officers
In the Army and RAF you’d work to:
Guard military bases and aircraft hangers
Locate land mines and other explosives
Search for casualties
Customs officers use dogs at ports, airports and large railway stations to detect:
Drugs, tobacco and cigarettes
Food products being brought into the country illegally
In the security industry, you and your dog would:
Patrol and guard property
Guard construction sites
Search for explosives or illegal drugs
Provide security at events
You could also work for other services, such as the Fire and Rescue Service and HM Prison Service, or for a mountain rescue team.
Hours
In all services you would work shifts on a rota that covers 24 hours, seven days a week. In some organisations, such as the police force, you would look after your dog in your own home.
Environment
The job is physically challenging as you would need to keep up with your dog during tough training sessions, and would work outside in all weather conditions.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- public relations
- biosecurity
- land tenure
- surveys
- demonstration skills
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- empathising
- social conscience
- cooperating
- attention to detail
- reliable
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Skills for Work: Rural Skills
Although you do not need formal qualifications to train as a dog handler you usually need to be employed within the police, armed forces, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as a Revenue and Customs Officer or within the security industry.
See police and armed forces profiles for the entry requirements.
Entry to HMRC as an assistant officer requires qualifications at SCQF levels 4-6. Entry to graduate training usually requires an honours degree (SCQF level 10). Within HMRC you could apply to train as an Anti-smuggling Dog Handler.
The security dog handler route would usually require qualifications at SCQF level 4/5, relevant experience and must hold your Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.
Qualifications that demonstrate experience with animals and knowledge of security such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Animal Care (SVQ level 2/3) or Skills for Work Uniformed and Emergency Services (SCQF level 4).
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