Warhound Is Developing Gene-Edited Military Dogs for the U.S. Government

A new startup called Warhound is launching with an ambitious mission: to create genetically enhanced dogs for the U.S. military, law enforcement agencies, and first responders.

Founded by Anduril founder Palmer Luckey and Colossal Biosciences co-founder Ben Lamm, Warhound has raised $200 million to “rebuild America’s supply of elite working dogs” and reduce reliance on European breeders for military working dogs.

Warhound Wants to Clone Elite Working Dogs

Lamm told WIRED that Warhound is currently gene-editing its first group of dogs. The startup has already collected blood samples from select military, police, and emergency-response dogs in the United States, with the goal of cloning them.

The dogs will be primarily Belgian Malinois, along with some Labradors and Shepherds. Warhound expects its first puppies to be born in early 2027.

Gene Editing Will Initially Target Canine Health Problems

Warhound’s first round of gene editing will focus on eliminating common health conditions affecting these breeds, including hip dysplasia.

In the future, Lamm envisions pursuing what he described as “really interesting things,” including enhancing military working dogs with wolf olfactory receptor genes. Colossal Biosciences is perhaps best known for its work on so-called gene-edited wolves and its dire wolf extinction project.

Military Dogs Could Receive Advanced Protective Equipment

Based in Texas, Warhound plans to equip its dogs with “Anduril’s advanced cybernetic augments, software, and battlefield situational awareness,” according to a company press release.

When asked whether the dogs would become cyborgs, Lamm clarified that the current plan involves giving them tools such as advanced body armor—not implanting computers into their bodies.

“So no dogs use lasers?” WIRED asked Lamm.

“I can’t comment on what Anduril is planning,” he said. “Our mission is to maintain dog safety and performance, continue to improve the bond between human handler and dog, and work as a team.”

Warhound Investors Include In-Q-Tel, Sequoia Capital, and ARK Invest

Neither Palmer Luckey nor Ben Lamm will be involved in Warhound’s day-to-day operations, although Lamm is a director of the company. David Spark, a former Pentagon chief data officer who most recently worked at Palantir, is Warhound’s CEO.

The company’s investors include In-Q-Tel, Sequoia Capital, and ARK Invest. Luckey is not an owner and has no shares in Warhound, and the same is true of Anduril. Colossal Biosciences does have ownership rights.

Warhound Emerges From Stealth

Lamm said he and Luckey had been working on the project for more than a year before recently deciding to bring Warhound out of stealth.

“Someone said, ‘It’s like Captain America’s dog program plus Iron Man’s technical program,’” Lamm told WIRED.

Everyone would agree that this is normal and a good thing—and that when these precision-engineered beasts arrive on Earth, they will realize that we are not the enemy.

The company will operate under the direction of the Humane Society of the United States.