Warhound raises $200 million to clone gene-edited dogs for US military

Warhound has raised $200 million to clone and genetically edit dogs for the United States military. The new startup is a joint effort involving Ben Lamm of Colossal Biosciences and Palmer Luckey of Anduril. David Spirk, who previously worked at Palantir, serves as the company's CEO.

The company has already started editing the genes of cell samples from its first group of donor dogs. These donors are top-performing military, police, and first responder dogs across the United States. The breeds include mostly Belgian Malinois, along with some labradors and shepherds. Scientists at Colossal will modify these genes before cloning the animals.

The initial research focuses on reducing the likelihood of health problems common to these breeds. Specifically, the team aims to lower the odds of hip dysplasia and certain cancers. Lamm told TechCrunch that further enhancements could follow. Additional genetic changes might make the animals faster, more agile, or give them a sharper sense of smell.

Anduril will handle the equipment side of the operation rather than the biology. The company will design tools and software intended to protect the dogs while they work. Examples of this gear include goggles, vests, and body armor. Warhound does not appear to be planning cyborg dogs at this time.

The ownership structure of the venture differs from its public profile. Neither Luckey nor Anduril holds a stake in the startup. Colossal Biosciences does have equity in the company, and Lamm sits on the board. This separation keeps the biological work and the hardware development distinct within the partnership.

The founders bring high-profile track records to the project. Luckey founded Oculus VR and designed the Oculus Rift headset. His defense company Anduril partnered with OpenAI in 2024 to develop artificial intelligence for the Pentagon. It has also won a US Army contract to build the service's next-generation battlefield intelligence system alongside Palantir. Lamm's Colossal Biosciences is behind several de-extinction efforts, including one claiming to have revived the dire wolf and another seeking to bring back the woolly mammoth.

Warhound expects the first batch of its genetically engineered dogs to be born in early 2027. The animals will be trained for the kinds of jobs working dogs already perform. These tasks include detecting bombs and assisting in search-and-rescue operations.