The main function of the Canine Unit is to assist road patrol, investigation divisions, and other specialized units as well as responding to calls for service that require the use of the canine’s special abilities. The Canine Unit consists of seven handlers working nine dogs in patrol, drug, and tracking disciplines. Two handlers work two different dogs, a patrol dog (German Shepherd ) and a tracking dog (Bloodhound). The other five handlers work a patrol dog (German Shepherd) only. The patrol dogs are trained to locate and apprehend suspects, as well as find drugs. The Bloodhounds are used to track people and have no aggression training. The Bloodhounds are used primarily to track missing people. The Canine Teams primarily work at night, but the unit supervisor works during the day and provides canine assistance to day shifts.

The Sheriff's Office's Canine Unit has a long tradition of having quality trainers since it was first developed in 1982. That tradition has continued with a recently completed Canine academy that was attended by two outside agencies (Punta Gorda Police Department, and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office). At the end of 2008 an academy was completed that was attended by a handler and his dog from the U.S. Virgin Island, St. Croix. The handler still keeps in touch with our trainers for advice on training issues with his unit on the island.

The bloodhounds used by the Sheriff's Office were donated by the Kody Snodgrass Memorial Foundation, Inc. This foundation has donated three bloodhounds to the Sheriff's Office in the last few years. In 2008, members of the Sheriff's Office Canine Unit hosted the 1st Annual Training Seminar sponsored by the foundation and had teams from all across Florida and several teams from Georgia and Alabama. This week long training seminar allowed the teams to learn different training practices including deployment from helicopters, swamp buggies, and boats.

The Canine Unit enjoys active involvement with various community organizations. They provide demonstrations for schools, youth groups, retirement homes, and civic groups. The demonstrations provided to the youth groups and young children are especially rewarding to the handlers, because they can interact with them on a different level, showing them the fun and relaxed side of the profession. This allows the handlers an opportunity to build a foundation of trust between them and the youth of the community.