Sniffing out contraband, canines earn their keep

Dogs' special skills put to use by mailrooms, border guards, airports

In an inconspicuous courtyard in Beijing's suburban Tongzhou district, 44 dogs have been working hard to learn a range of skills and hone their ability to quickly identify a wide selection of smells.

They are put through their paces from Monday to Friday, normally from 9 am to 5 pm, and, despite their heavy workload, keep fit, thanks to an exercise regime that includes stints on a treadmill.