Detector dogs—which typically include German shepherds, retrievers and Belgian Malinois—also rely on their highly developed prey drive, the instinctual need to hunt to survive. Brandy’s drive was so strong that, as a puppy, all she wanted to do was chase balls. She was so unaffectionate that her owners decided to donate her to the Huntsville Police. (Most police departments buy their dogs from breeders.) McMurray gave her a reason to hunt and, in return, got a partner and a pet. “Brandy’s a member of our family,” says McMurray, who takes her home at the end of their workday, as do most handlers. Then it’s back to work for these top bomb-detectors. “We’ve never found a real bomb,” says Murray. “I’ll be happy if we never do.”