Meet Kirby: Our Newest Mold Detection Dog

We are pleased to introduce our newest Mold Scout, Kirby. Prior to joining The Mold Scout, Kirby was actively working in environmental detection. When his former handler underwent a medical procedure requiring an extended recovery, it became clear that a dog with Kirby’s focus, energy, and drive could not be left without purpose. We were fortunate to welcome him into our program.

Kirby comes from a multi-generational breeder known for producing world-class working scent dogs. As an English Springer Spaniel, Kirby’s breed was developed in the early 1800s for scent-based fieldwork, specifically to locate and identify hidden sources while working closely with a handler. English Springer Spaniels are widely used in professional detection work and are valued for their intelligence, trainability, and calm, reliable disposition. Kirby is, in every sense, a true working dog.

What do we mean by a working dog? There are beloved pets, show dogs, and there are dogs bred and driven to work. All dogs possess an extraordinary ability to detect minute odor compounds, just as all humans have the ability to throw a basketball. With careful training and handling, some pets may become capable at detection, much like a committed person may become proficient at basketball. But eventually, we encounter the reality of genetic predisposition.

For a professional athlete, that predisposition includes height, coordination, cognitive processing, and the ability to read and anticipate the game. For a professional detection dog, it is an obsessive drive to search for a target odor, the mental capacity to solve complex scent problems, and the stamina and desire to repeat the task again and again. Simply put, they love to search.

When choosing a mold detection dog to search your home, this distinction matters. Most dog breeds originate from a specific working purpose, but not every origin is suited to detection work. Shepherds, for example, are highly intelligent and capable dogs, bred primarily for managing and protecting livestock. Beagles are renowned for scent work, but are traditionally bred for tracking rather than source identification. Other breeds are developed primarily as family companions, valued for hypoallergenic coats or gentle temperaments, traits that are wonderful in a home, but not always ideal for professional detection.

This is why we encourage homeowners to ask an important question: what traits were prioritized when this dog was selected and trained for mold detection? In our experience, those traits make a profound difference. We have worked with both a capable companion dog and now Kirby. We love both dogs deeply, but in terms of reliability, efficiency, drive, and accuracy, the difference is unmistakable.

Another important evolution in our work came through experience. Our first mold detection dog, Roger, was trained under Bill Whitstine of Florida K9 Academy. At the time, this training provided a valuable introduction to professional scent detection and helped establish the foundation of our work.

As we gained real-world experience, we came to better understand what was required to achieve the level of consistency, reliability, and long-term accuracy we expect when searching clients’ homes. We learned that detection training is not a fixed state, but an ongoing process that must align closely with the individual dog’s natural drives, temperament, and capacity for sustained focus.

Those learnings led us to refine our approach. With Kirby, we now work with a California-based trainer who specializes in environmental detection for universities and land conservancies. This program emphasizes positive reinforcement, individualized motivation, and continual assessment. The goal is not simply to teach a dog to identify an odor, but to ensure that the work remains engaging, repeatable, and precise over time.

Kirby’s accuracy is maintained through regular training, ongoing evaluation, and close collaboration between handler and trainer. His work is continuously reinforced and adjusted based on real-world conditions, ensuring that his detection remains both reliable and current. This commitment to refinement reflects how our practice has evolved, moving toward a more precise, responsive, and premium standard of mold detection.

Kirby is already working with clients, approaching each inspection with focus, curiosity, and care. In the field, he is precise and driven. At home, he is gentle, affectionate, and deeply loved. We are grateful to work with him and look forward to the many homes and families he will help support in the years ahead.