Bruiser

At the start of a new year, we welcome a new dog to the survey team: Bruiser! Bruiser will work with Sarah and replaces Pepper for the rest of the survey, whilst Pepper has gone back to the USA.

Steve from Packleader brought Bruiser over and provided a week of training for Sarah in working with the new dog. Bruiser had to acclimatise to the smells and temperature of Vietnam, and shed that thick winter coat he had grown in Washington state.

Although at first glance he might appear to be a bear, he’s actually a chocolate field Labrador and a massive version of Chevy! At seven years old Bruiser is one of the most experienced dung dogs at Packleader, having previously worked on a whole range of species, including five species of cat, tortoises and even bats. As well as finding rhino dung he also points out cat scat to Sarah, and checks the trees for roosting bats! Sarah’s looking forward to working with such an experienced dog, even though she’ll miss little Pepper.

Sarah and Bruiser ready to hunt some dung

Chevy's new friend is a bear!

Farewell Pepper dog