Photo from the personal archive of S.S. Podushkin

During the Soviet era, DOSAAF Service Dog Clubs organized the procurement of service dogs for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, primarily from the population of East European Shepherd dogs registered with clubs and fit for service.
Typically, dogs aged between 10 months and 3 years were purchased. The price of the purchased dog or puppy was determined by a committee based on its nutritional status, pedigree documents, and conformation and performance qualities, but not exceeding 120 rubles for a dog and 20 rubles for a puppy.
Dogs accepted by the admissions committee were not returned to their previous owners.
The commission was required to include members of the police service dog unit and a veterinarian. All dogs selected for the search service were required to undergo a veterinary examination.