Moments after shots rang out in the woods, a police dog and its handler burst through the trees, running full out. The large German Shepherd strained at its leash as it crossed the open field, his handler straining to keep pace over the rough terrain.

At the edge of a small pond, the pair stumbled into a dinghy that had been tied to a tree. The handler pulled them across the water using a rope strung across to the opposite bank while his canine partner stood sentry in the bow. Back on shore, they picked up the trail and sprinted uphill to the road. Exhausted from running almost five kilometres through dense woods and swampland, vaulting fences and obstacles in their path, the handler picked up his dog and carried him at a slow jog along the gravel road.

As they approached the crowded parking area, an armed man suddenly ran out of the bush just ahead of them. Hitting the ground running, the police dog gave chase and latched onto his quarry just seconds later, holding fast until his handler caught up to make the arrest. As the handler called off his dog, the officer with the clipboard and stopwatch called time. “Good boy, good dog,” the handler exclaimed as he and his canine partner made their way to the refreshment area.

This was not an actual criminal apprehension but the second annual Ontario Iron Dog Competition, hosted by the Peel Regional Police Canine Bureau at Claireville Conservation Area in Brampton, just outside Toronto. The competition tests the skill, fitness and partnership of handler and dog, explained organizer Sgt. Mike Kean. “We’re competing for bragging rights,” he said. “Outside of the apprehension component, we don’t test the dogs on their core competencies. It’s a fun day for the handlers to come out, compete and socialize with handlers from other agencies.”

Twenty-five teams took part in this year’s event, representing police canine units from Peel Region, Toronto, Barrie, York Region, South Simcoe and Orangeville.

Along the 4.5-kilometre course, competitors were challenged with scaling a six-foot wall, clearing a series of four jumps, carrying a 16-kilogram battering ram, jumping their dog through a door window, target shooting with a pistol, crossing a pond in an inflatable dinghy, carrying their dogs along a gravel road and apprehending a fleeing quarry. Mark Burnett and Police Service Dog ‘Sherlock’ from the York Regional Police Canine Unit took first place, followed by Joe Ferreri and PSD ‘Garan,’ and Mat Tomlin and PSD ‘Ronin,’ both of the South Simcoe Police Service Canine Unit. Nigel Smedmore and PSD ‘Axel’ of the Peel Regional Police Canine Bureau took first place in the masters’ division, while colleagues Sheri Brooks and PSD ‘Blitz’ placed first among female competitors. Royal Canin provided prizes for all participants.

The third annual Ontario Iron Dog Competition, which will feature a challenging course in an urban setting, will be hosted by the York Regional Police Canine Unit in September 2009. The event is open to canine handlers from all law enforcement agencies across Canada and the U.S.

By Natalie Ann Comeau

Natalie Ann Comeau is a freelance writer with a special interest in working canines. She lives in Oakville, Ont., with her family and two unemployed dogs.