The army, police and customs officers often rely on their K9 partners, especially when lives are at risk. But unlike their human colleagues the dogs don't usually get to wear protective clothing. Now, researchers of the Special Materials company in Saint

Designers were prompted to create the bullet-proof vests not just to protect animal rights – economic reasons are no less important. Indeed, it costs around $US 40,000 to train a professional K9. And the dogs are often killed on duty.

“Dogs in Chechnya neutralised land mines and other explosive devices which are not seen by mine detectors. And that is why sapper dogs were at the top of snipers' target list when I served in the North Caucasus,” says Yury Kyonov, head of Leningrad military command's press service.

Flak jackets, costing from $US 100 to $US 450, vary in their weight, defensive capabilities and purposes. The one that can protect against Kalashnikov assault rifle weighs more than 3 kilos.

“The level of flak jacket's protection, as in the case with a human jacket, depends on special demands and conditions of the dog's job,” explains production director Elena Arutyunova.

Tests show the dogs are unconcerned about the outfits and only concentrate on their missions.