When did testing of small breeds begin, and what were they used for?

• A. 1970; used to search ships
• B. 1960; used for guarding depots
• C. 1975; used to search ships
• D. 1980; used to detect drugs on land

Answer: (C)

Small-breed detection dogs were first tested in 1975, and they were used to search ships. The mid-1970s marked a shift toward maritime security, where compact, agile dogs could navigate tight spaces on vessels—cargo holds, cabins, and corridors—to detect contraband, explosives, or other threats. Their size made them easier to handle aboard ships compared with larger breeds, fitting well with the confined environments and dynamic conditions at sea. Earlier dates don’t match the documented start of these ship-search trials, and roles like land drug detection became more prominent later and in different contexts, so 1975 for ship searches is the most accurate pairing.