$1.2 Billion Bet on Engineered War Dogs

Warhound has emerged from stealth with a $1.2 billion valuation and a mission to genetically engineer dogs for the U.S. military and law enforcement. The company raised $200 million in its latest funding round, which includes backing from Sequoia, 8VC, Corner Ventures, and In-Q-Tel. In-Q-Tel is a venture firm supported by the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies. This launch marks a significant shift in how the nation sources its working canines.

The core idea behind Warhound involves creating dogs with specific traits suited for demanding missions. Currently, more than 80% of the U.S. military’s working dogs are imported from Europe. Furthermore, fewer than half of these imported animals are deemed fit for service. This creates a shrinking supply that forces the U.S. to rely heavily on foreign nations for critical roles in bomb detection, searches, and other specialized operations.

Warhound aims to solve this supply issue by using technology from Colossal Biosciences. The company plans to edit the genes of top-performing breeds, specifically the Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd. Their goal is to add genes that improve performance while removing those linked to health issues. These issues include poor eyesight, hip dysplasia, muscle atrophy, and a higher likelihood of cancer. Many current working dogs fail training due to these inherited problems.

Ben Lamm of Colossal Biosciences met Palmer Luckey of Anduril about a year ago at a conference. Luckey expressed a desire for more support for military working dogs. Lamm subsequently researched breeding practices and identified opportunities for genetic enhancement. The team has collected cell lines from elite breeds and stored them in a biobank. They will use these cells to create a new type of dog that is healthier and longer-lived.

Anduril will provide the hardware and software components for these dogs. This includes protection vests and goggles designed to improve situational awareness. Lamm described the technology as being placed on top of the dog rather than inside it. Sensors in the gear will send data back to handlers, allowing them to better understand the dog’s status and the environment. This setup aims to make the dogs safer and help protect their human partners.

Lamm stated that the first batch of dogs is ready for cloning and incubation. Births are expected in early 2027. The company hopes these animals can begin service within two years. Viagen, another company owned by Colossal, will handle the cloning process. Viagen’s technology has a high success rate and is already used in programs to protect endangered species. Warhound has not yet set a price for the dogs but plans to sell to first responders, the Department of Defense, and police forces.

The company is working with the American Humane Society to certify its training program. The group aims to ensure the animals are treated humanely throughout their service lives. Retired dogs may enter the Society’s Military Working Dog Reunification Program. This program helps place retired military dogs into permanent homes. The American Humane Society said it looks forward to working with Warhound and Colossal to ensure ethical treatment of the animals.

Lamm noted that Luckey is a partner in the venture but does not own equity in the company. Colossal owns equity and supports the business by licensing its technology. Colossal is known for its efforts to bring back extinct animals like the mammoth and the dodo. The company uses AI and gene cloning technology to achieve these goals. Warhound represents a new application of these tools for active military and civilian use.