Theatergoers have been fans of the line “Cry ‘Havoc!’, and let slip the dogs of war” since 1599. Now venture capitalists are coming around to the phrase.
A new startup called Warhound has emerged from stealth with $200 million in funding to genetically engineer dogs for the U.S. military and equip them with high-tech gear. Its founders call it a modernization of America’s military working-dog program.
Those founders know more than a bit about both genetic modification and warfare. Warhound was conceived by Colossal co-founder Ben Lamm and Palmer Luckey, co-founder of defense technology company Anduril Industries and founder of Oculus VR.
Colossal is best known for its ongoing attempts to “de-extinct” several animal species , including the woolly mammoth and the dodo. Anduril has received more than $25 billion in government and defense contracts.
“Every day, we ask dogs to put their lives on the line to protect ours. They detect explosives, protect our troops, and run toward dangers that most people are trained to run away from. Yet we’re still relying on outdated approaches to breeding and training these extraordinary animals,” Lamm said in a statement.
Warhound is already working on its first batch of genetically modified dogs, collecting blood samples from what it says are top-performing service animals in military, police, and first responder operations. The company plans to clone those dogs and edit their genes to improve their performance.
The first litter of genetically modified puppies, expected in 2027, will consist primarily of Belgian Malinois, Labradors, and shepherds.
The dogs will also be equipped with “Anduril’s advanced cybernetic Augments, software, and battlefield situational awareness,” according to the company’s announcement. That will include body armor as well as eye and ear protection.
“Man’s best friend deserves man’s best tech,” Luckey said.
The effort also aligns with the Trump administration’s emphasis on domestic production. In announcing the company, the founders noted that 80% of U.S. military dogs, of which there are currently more than 2,200, come from Europe, “creating a critical interdependency on foreign nations for an asset the Pentagon itself calls irreplaceable.”
Luckey and Lamm first conceived Warhound several years ago after a conversation at a moonshot summit. More than half of the dogs considered for military service fail to complete their training, according to the company, driving up costs and making the program less reliable.
Reasons for failure can range from poor eyesight to health problems such as cancer or hip dysplasia. Through gene editing, Warhound hopes to address those issues while enhancing traits such as speed and sense of smell, which are critical to detecting bombs and other hazards. The goal, its founders say, is not to create a new breed of dog but to improve the performance of existing breeds.
Genetically modifying dogs could raise concerns among animal welfare advocates, but Warhound says animal welfare will be a core part of its operations. The company is working with the American Humane Society, which will certify Warhound’s training programs and support efforts to reunite retired military working dogs with their former handlers.
“Working dogs are extraordinary animals whose courage and loyalty save lives,” said Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Society. “Success means helping these dogs thrive throughout their lives—from training and active service to the loving, dignified retirement every canine hero deserves.”
David Spirk, a Marine Corps veteran and former senior counselor at Palantir, will serve as Warhound’s CEO. The company will be based in Dallas. Colossal holds equity in the business, while Luckey is a partner but does not have an ownership stake.
