Smugglers often try to avoid detection at Hong Kong's entry control points by using perfume, plastic, containers and other items to mask the odour of their controlled items, but they are no match for the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department's quarantine detector dogs.
These working dogs are specially-trained to smell controlled items like animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles and other animal products, even when they are hidden in baggage or under several layers of clothing.
Canine celebrity
Archie, a 10-year-old beagle, was part of that elite team for eight years and was one of Hong Kong's first quarantine detector dogs.
He started out as a working dog in Australia when he was two and that is where Elvis Yiu, one of the first staff at the department to sign up as a dog handler, met Archie in December 2007.
All quarantine detector dogs and their handlers undergo intensive training in Australia before transferring to the Ta Kwu Ling Operation Centre where comfortable kennels and a training area are provided for the well-being of the dogs.
Competition is tough to become a sniffer dog, but out of the hundreds of trainees it was Archie who caught Mr Yiu's eye.
"About 10 dogs were chosen out of 200 to 300 to train as working dogs at the school in Australia. Me and two of my colleagues had to be trained as handlers, then we were matched with a dog that suited our abilities and the dog's personality. I was so glad they chose Archie for me because I took an immediate liking to him."
On the scent
That instant bond made for a good working partnership. Archie was assigned to sniff out smuggled animals and animal products at Hong Kong's entry control points.
During his stellar career, Archie cracked more than 50 cases. During one shift in 2009, he sniffed out two highly endangered Angonoka tortoises, 21 hedgehogs and 23 sugar gliders - his biggest illegal animal haul.
Archie's handler made sure he was rewarded for a job well done.
"Archie was working with another detector dog Rosie at the airport. A man was carrying two suitcases and Archie signalled to me that he could smell something. He did well, so I made a feast for him after work of his favourite chicken meat!"
New assignment
Mr Yiu was later assigned to another division but he never forgot his canine partner. When he found out Archie was retiring from service he applied to adopt him so he could live out his senior years with his handler and family.
He sometimes takes Archie back to the Ta Kwu Ling Operation Centre to visit old colleagues.
"I made a promise. When I chose to become a dog handler, I promised to take care of my partner when he retired. I promised to give Archie a 'home sweet home' for him to enjoy his retired life."
Before Archie's official retirement, Mr Yiu took him to meet his family to make sure they got along.
"My daughters now say they miss Archie when we go travelling and they make me switch on the camera monitor at home so they can check on him."
Archie may be a retiree, but for the Yiu family that makes him an even more important part of their lives.
"We may not have much time left with Archie since he is already old, but my wife and daughters love him to bits. We will give him all our love and we will cherish this time in our lives spent with Archie," said Mr Yiu.
