Warhound Secures $200 Million to Develop Genetically Engineered Service Dogs

Warhound emerged from stealth mode on Thursday with a valuation of $1.2 billion after securing $200 million in funding from prominent investors.

The new venture, founded by Ben Lamm of Colossal Biosciences and Palmer Luckey of Anduril, intends to engineer specialized dogs for the U.S. military, law enforcement, and emergency response teams. The funding round includes participation from Sequoia, 8VC, Corner Ventures, and In-Q-Tel, a venture firm supported by the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies.

The company addresses a critical gap in the supply chain for military working dogs, noting that more than 80 percent of these animals currently originate from Europe. Furthermore, the launch announcement stated that less than half of these imported dogs are deemed fit for service, highlighting a dwindling domestic supply and a growing reliance on foreign nations for essential military assets.

Warhound’s goal is to alter this dynamic by using gene-editing technology to create dogs with characteristics specifically suited for demanding missions. Lamm explained that he and Luckey met approximately a year ago at a conference, where the topic of improving military working dogs was discussed. Following that conversation, Lamm investigated breeding practices and discovered that many dogs fail training due to inherited issues such as poor eyesight, high cancer risks, hip dysplasia, or muscle atrophy.

The team plans to enhance the dogs’ health, longevity, and physical capabilities, including speed, agility, and olfactory sensors for tasks like bomb detection. To achieve this, researchers have established a biobank using cell lines from top-performing breeds, specifically the Belgian Malinois and the German Shepherd. The process involves editing these genes to add performance-enhancing traits and remove detrimental ones, ultimately creating a new type of dog.

Anduril will contribute to the project by providing hardware and software, including protection vests and goggles, to assist both the dogs and their handlers. Lamm described the integration as adding technology "on top of the dog, not in the dog," with features such as data sensors in bulletproof vests that relay real-time information to handlers to improve situational awareness and coordination.

The first batch of dogs is expected to be cloned and incubated soon, with births anticipated in early 2027 and service beginning within two years. Viagen, another company owned by Colossal, will partner with Warhound to handle the cloning process, utilizing technology with a high success rate currently used in Colossal’s endangered species protection programs. While specific pricing has not been announced, the company expects to sell the animals to first responders, the Department of Defense, military service groups, and police forces.

Regarding oversight, Lamm stated that the company has briefed numerous government groups on its business model. To ensure civilian safety and humane treatment, Warhound is working under the guidance of the American Humane Society to certify its training program. The company hopes that retired dogs will enter the Society’s Military Working Dog Reunification Program or other support initiatives.

The American Humane Society expressed its support in a statement, applauding Warhound and Colossal for inviting the organization to the process. The group, which describes itself as grounded in science and ethics, said it looks forward to working with the companies to ensure the animals are treated humanely throughout their service and retirement.