Troopers are looking for a few good dogs

Narcotics detection dogs for the Texas Department of Public Safety have a blast sniffing for cocaine, marijuana and other drugs. To them, the hunt for illicit substances is a constant game of fetch.

Lizzy, a longhaired yellow Labrador who has been a DPS detection dog for two years, once uncovered 452 pounds of marijuana in a pickup's gas tank, toolbox and false bed. Her handler, Trooper Denney Bowen, said he loves working with her.

“And she loves me,” he added.

When Bowen and Lizzy aren't working their 12-county area surrounding San Antonio, they continue training eight hours a week.

Right now, the agency has 33 canine teams — each consisting of a trainer and a dog — working across the state. It usually has 38, and three of them search for explosives. The rest stick to drugs.

So the department is looking for five trainable pooches and is scouring private and public kennels and shelters. Donations from the public are accepted.

Whenever there's a vacancy, DPS Capt. Justin Chrane activates an online donation form, which can be found on the DPS Web site. He did so June 18 and within a week received eight responses. Troopers also spread the word by contacting local animal agencies.

To qualify, dogs must be 1 to 3 years old, weigh between 50 and 100 pounds, be in good health, and have good stamina and temperament, Chrane said. They also need to have a near-frantic desire to retrieve.

The dog's breed, whether purebred or mutt, has no effect on the dog's ability to detect drugs, he added.