Iron Dog Challenge and the working dog

Yesterday was the second annual Iron Dog Challenge for K9 teams in the GTA. Dog teams from Peel, Toronto, York, South Simcoe, Barrie, Orangeville, and a few other Police forces came to show off their physical skills at Claireville Conservation Area in Brampton Ontario. The teams ran a grueling course that began with a 6 ' wall both Canine and Handler had to get over, then a double jump, a shooting target component, a boating task, dog carry and finally a suspect apprehension component. This was all under the ticking of a stopwatch.

These teams despite a few hiccups with getting lost in the conservation (unknown people had taken down course markers) did fantastic. It was phenomenal to see some of these teams to run the rough approximately 5 km terrain and complete all the above components in record times of about 20 minutes. I believe that fastest time was near 17 minutes- unbelievable!

This day was one for fun for the K9 teams and more for bragging rights, a nice change for the chaos they are usually facing in apprehending suspects. K9 teams in the GTA are used none stop for apprehension of suspects, locating evidence, detecting contraband, cadaver and explosives searches. They are a "behind the scenes" resource in LAw Enforcement that are irreplaceable.

Hats off to all the teams that participated yesterday and all K9 teams that face the everyday challenges involved with Police work. This resource when seen in action is one of awe; to see man and dog work together under such circumstances is a true definition of a bond. 

Working dogs in general are an integral part of our society from Seeing eye, Autism dogs, Drug and Firearm detector dogs, Cadaver dogs and Arson Dogs. These teams often don't get the recognition deserved for their countless hours of training, working, and getting the ultimate job done. 

Here is my salute to K9 teams of all facets; they enrich lives of so many. I would especially like to salute to all the working dogs past and present in light of it being a 9/11 anniversary. 

"The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be"

Konrad Lorenz