Warhound raises $200 million to build genetically enhanced military dogs

Military and law enforcement agencies across the United States are preparing to rely on a new breed of service animal. These dogs will not be born naturally but will be genetically engineered to perform specific dangerous tasks. The move is designed to address a growing shortage of capable working dogs and to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign suppliers for these critical assets.

Warhound, the company behind this initiative, emerged from stealth mode on Thursday with a $200 million funding round. The new capital values the startup at $1.2 billion. Investors in the round include Sequoia, 8VC, Corner Ventures, and In-Q-Tel, a venture firm with ties to the Central Intelligence Agency and other U.S. intelligence agencies.

The concept originated from a meeting between Ben Lamm, co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, and Palmer Luckey, the founder of Anduril. Lamm said the two connected at a conference about a year ago. Luckey expressed concern over the state of the military's working dog supply. Lamm subsequently researched the breeding practices of working dogs and identified common genetic issues that cause many animals to fail training or suffer from health problems.

According to Warhound, more than 80 percent of the U.S. military's working dogs currently come from Europe. Furthermore, less than half of those imported dogs are deemed fit for service. The company states that this dwindling supply forces the U.S. to rely on foreign nations for animals that play vital roles in defense and law enforcement operations.

The startup plans to use biotechnology to create dogs with traits suited for demanding missions. The team is studying top-performing breeds, specifically the Belgian Malinois and the German Shepherd. They have established a biobank with cell lines from these animals. The goal is to edit genes to improve health, longevity, speed, agility, and olfactory capabilities for tasks such as bomb detection and search operations.

Anduril will provide the technological hardware and software that works in conjunction with the engineered dogs. This equipment includes protective vests and goggles designed to enhance situational awareness for both the animals and their handlers. Lamm described the setup as adding safety features on top of the dog rather than inside the animal. The gear will include data sensors that transmit information to handlers, allowing them to better understand the environment during operations.

Luckey is a partner in the venture but does not hold equity in the company. Colossal Biosciences owns equity and supports the business by licensing its technology. Colossal is known for its de-extinction projects, including efforts to bring back species like the dodo and the mammoth. The company uses artificial intelligence and gene cloning technology to identify and copy animal genes.

The first batch of dogs is expected to be cloned and incubated in the near future. Births are anticipated in early 2027, with service ideally beginning within two years. Viagen, another company owned by Colossal, will partner with Warhound to handle the cloning process. Lamm noted that Viagen's technology has a high success rate and is already used in Colossal's programs to protect endangered species.

Warhound has not yet determined the price it will charge for the dogs. The company expects to sell to first responders, the Department of Defense, various military service groups, and police forces. Lamm stated that the company has briefed numerous government groups about the business. He added that each dog will be trained like any standard military working dog and will be managed by the organization that purchases it.

The American Humane Society is guiding the company's training program certification. The organization aims to ensure that the animals are treated humanely. The society also hopes that retired Warhound dogs will enter its Military Working Dog Reunification Program or other support programs. The American Humane Society stated that it applauds Warhound and Colossal for inviting the national humane organization to the table to ensure ethical treatment of the animals.