New startup plans to genetically engineer military dogs

The United States military currently relies heavily on dogs imported from Europe, a dependency that has become a significant strategic vulnerability. More than 80 percent of the working dogs used by U.S. forces come from abroad, and fewer than half of those imported animals are actually fit for service when they arrive. This supply gap has prompted a new venture to take a bold approach: genetically engineering a new class of war dogs designed specifically for dangerous and specialized tasks.

Warhound, a startup that emerged from stealth on Thursday, has secured $200 million in funding to bring this vision to life. The round was backed by prominent investors including Sequoia, 8VC, and Corner Ventures. Notably, In-Q-Tel, a venture firm with ties to the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies, is also part of the investment group. This latest funding values the company at $1.2 billion, signaling strong confidence in the potential of bio-engineered assets for national security.

The project is a collaboration between Colossal Biosciences and Anduril. Ben Lamm of Colossal and Palmer Luckey of Anduril first connected at a conference about a year ago. Luckey expressed a desire to do more for the military's canine units, and the two maintained contact. Lamm subsequently researched how working dogs are bred and discovered that many fail to complete training due to inherited issues such as poor eyesight, hip dysplasia, muscle atrophy, or a high risk of cancer.

Warhound aims to fix these problems by editing the genes of top-performing breeds, specifically the Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd. The team has already taken cell lines from these dogs and placed them in a biobank. Their goal is to add genes that improve health, longevity, speed, and agility, while removing those that lead to common ailments. They also intend to enhance olfactory sensors to improve bomb-sniffing capabilities. Lamm described the process as creating a new type of dog suited for demanding missions.

While Colossal provides the biological engineering, Anduril will supply the hardware and software. This includes protection vests and goggles designed to aid in situational awareness. Lamm explained that these tools, such as bulletproof vests with data sensors, will send information back to handlers to help them understand what is happening in the field. He emphasized that these enhancements are added on top of the dog, not inside it, to make the animal safer and healthier.

Luckey is a partner in the venture but does not own equity in the company. Instead, Colossal holds equity and supports the business by licensing its technology. Colossal is already known for its de-extinction efforts, such as attempts to bring back the dodo and the mammoth. The company uses artificial intelligence and gene cloning technology, which it has applied to other biological projects in the past.

The first batch of these engineered dogs is expected to be cloned and incubated shortly. Births are anticipated early next year, with the dogs ideally beginning service within two years. Viagen, another company owned by Colossal, will handle the cloning process due to its high success rate. While Warhound has not yet determined a price point, it plans to sell to first responders, the Department of Defense, military service groups, and police forces.

Questions about civilian safety and government approval have been raised. Lamm stated that the company has briefed many government groups on the business. He noted that each dog will be trained like any standard military working dog and managed by the entity that purchases it. To address ethical concerns, the company is working under the guidance of the American Humane Society to certify its training program.

The American Humane Society issued a statement expressing support for the collaboration. The organization said it was pleased to be invited to the table to ensure the animals are treated humanely. They also noted that retired military dogs from this program could enter the Society's reunification program, which helps find homes for retired service animals.