Ultimate protectors compete for bragging rights in new ‘Top Dog’ competition
From coast to coast, four-legged sentinels known as Auburn University Dogs™ reinforce safety in schools, airports, stadiums, courthouses and many other locations.
Bred, trained and developed by Auburn University Canine Performance Sciences (CPS), a unit of the College of Veterinary Medicine, these exceptional detection canines have been deployed everywhere from the New York City Police Department to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
On Friday, Sept. 25, certified canine teams from local and state law enforcement agencies in the region will put their skills to the test and compete for bragging rights in the first Top Dog Competition at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.
“The event will contain high-stakes detection trials, physical conditioning and strength trials for both the handler and dog, veterinary emergency training scenarios and real time knowledge checks,” said CPS Research & Development Manager Pamela Haney.
The winning team will get to display the Dog Bowl Trophy in their department for one year. While attendance for the first Top Dog Competition is limited to canine teams and their family members, competitors have been invited by CPS to participate in the Auburn University homecoming parade that evening. The parade, which begins at 6 p.m. at the intersection of South College Street and Thach Avenue, features retired Auburn University Dog™ SisterSally5 as its grand marshal.
Haney said inspiration for the inaugural Top Dog Competition came from the City of Auburn Police Department’s K9 unit.
“They believe they have the best Auburn University Dogs and suggested we have a competition the morning before the homecoming parade to get handlers to come participate in the parade,” she said. “Making it into an annual event offers a way to promote and stay in touch with Auburn University Dog™ teams across the country.”
Auburn’s research in canine olfaction began in 1990 with a focus on the detection of explosives, ultimately leading to CPS’ development of Vapor Wake® technology. Beyond explosives and firearms, Auburn University Dogs have distinguished themselves through their ability to detect other targets, including pathogens, invasive species and wildlife, and even digital evidence in the form of hidden computer drives and phones.
Aside from allowing participants to measure themselves, the Top Dog Competition offers an enormous benefit to CPS, which focuses on the development of innovative canine technology through basic and applied research exploring olfaction, behavior, genetics and physical performance. Haney said the competition will allow CPS to gain important insights from competing teams that will ultimately enhance breeding selection and offer longitudinal data points on canine success and capabilities.
“This will also allow us to have a better understanding of what our handlers experience as dog teams mature and allow us to engage in ways to increase all working dog careers,” she said.