I've heard that some inovative utility companies in northern Europe
have trained dogs to sniff out rot at the base of wooden utility
poles, saving many thousands of dollars by replacing just the rotted
poles instead of all in routine area maintenance. I need further
information on this subject and don't know how to begin.  Can you get
me the information and/or leads?

They would probably have saved even more money by replacing all their
wooden poles with concrete.

Concrete rots just as much as wood only in a different way

Hi, Kemlo

It depends on the wood.

Hard wood may be OK but it's scarce and very expensive, hence the use
of concrete sleepers (or ties in American parlance) on railways.

The only thing that lasts forever is ...

Herpes.