1. Can you tell us about Cinotecnia – Corpo de Fuzileiros – Marinha Portuguesa?
The first dogs used by the Portuguese Fuzileiros date back to the Portuguese Colonial War (1961–1974), when seven German Shepherd dogs were acquired in South Africa to support facility security and explosive (mines) detection.
With the end of the war and the subsequent demobilisation of personnel, the War Dog Training and Breeding Centre was created in 1974 at the Fuzileiros School, with the goal of training and breeding animals for guarding and facility security duties.
Over the years, the group has evolved and expanded its capabilities. Today, the dogs are not limited to guarding and defence but also carry out missions in search and detection of narcotics and explosives, and in tactical operations.
Currently, the unit has fourteen dogs and six handlers, who provide all the necessary expertise. Daily life is demanding; it includes carrying out assigned missions, maintaining facilities and animals, as well as specific training for each dog according to its area of operation. Whenever possible, the routine is complemented with periods of walking, socialisation, and relaxation, essential for the balance and performance of the animals.
2. What types of missions are you primarily involved in?
Currently, the group responds to a variety of needs, both in maritime and land missions, as the Fuzileiros operate at sea and on land. In terms of tactical operations, they support special operations, including boarding operations, as well as force projection units in carrying out various missions. These dogs are dual-purpose, capable of simultaneously detaining insurgents and detecting explosives. The group is also responsible for facility security, carrying out searches for illegal substances across all Navy units through monthly assigned inspections. In addition, they conduct explosive detection within the Navy’s jurisdiction, particularly in wet zones, by carrying out searches in ports or on ships whenever necessary. The unit also engages in social activities, taking part in demonstrations and awareness initiatives with various institutions.
3. What are the specific challenges of using dogs in marine or amphibious environments?
In our opinion, there are several very specific challenges, distinct from those encountered on land, as it is necessary to consider both the physiological and health aspects of the animal. From an operational perspective, working on slippery surfaces, in confined spaces and with the motion of the sea can cause falls, injuries, or insecurity in the animal.
Exposure to intense noises, such as engines, propellers, and other naval equipment, can generate high levels of stress and make it difficult to follow commands. Furthermore, the maritime environment presents different smells, sounds, and stimuli which can compromise the dog’s focus.
There is always the risk of falling, drowning, or hypothermia, which requires attention to the adaptation of the animal to equipment that can mitigate these risks in case of an accident. The rapid rescue of dogs that fall into the sea is more difficult than on land, making prevention even more important.
Training a dog on land is already a challenge by itself. When you add the maritime context, it is necessary to consider a significant increase in difficulty, requiring specific strategies to ensure the best performance from the animal while always maintaining maximum safety.
4. How does the training and exercises for Fuzileiros Cinotécnia dogs differ from those for other canine units?
The training and exercises for dogs differ clearly from those of other canine units; they are neither better nor worse, just prepared to operate in different and highly complex environments. In addition to the skills common to any handler-dog team, such as obedience, tracking, marking, and threat neutralisation, these dogs are systematically trained for the specific demands of amphibious and airborne environments.
In canine units where the focus is primarily on conventional land-based scenarios, the requirements are not the same as those faced by maritime operations. Fuzileiros dogs must be accustomed to amphibious insertions, embarking and disembarking from assault boats while maintaining balance and concentration in unstable areas with significant movement and noise. They must also be trained for airborne projection, acclimating to infiltrations via helicopters or other aerial means, including rope descents such as fast rope or rappel, and coping with wind, height, and vibrations. Their training extends to exposure to hostile environments, operating in wet zones, muddy ground or difficult terrain while remaining effective in tracking and marking. Just as importantly, they develop psychological resilience in combat, adapting to explosions, gunfire, grenades, and constant troop movement without losing focus or becoming disoriented. Regular operational integration with assault teams ensures that their training replicates real combat conditions rather than being limited to isolated obedience exercises.
Training is therefore more comprehensive and demanding. It is also not limited to the traditional handler-dog pairing but instead promotes the full integration of the animal as a specialised combat support operative in amphibious and airborne operations. Emotional control, environmental adaptation, and resilience become as essential as obedience and technical capability.
