Canine Unit | Guelph Police Service

Police service dogs have a demanding job, but they are specifically bred and selected for the drive and temperament to do it well. Each dog is carefully assessed for their health, stability, strong work ethic, and ability to learn and respond to training.

Once paired with a handler, the dog and officer begin building a highly coordinated working partnership. Together, they complete extensive training that develops obedience, tracking skills, building and outdoor searches, evidence detection, and safe apprehension techniques. This training ensures the team can operate effectively in a wide range of high-risk and fast-moving situations.

Echo

Echo is a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois. He joined the service in 2022.

New dog

On April 9, 2026, the Guelph Police Service welcomed a new police service dog to the canine unit, a one-year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix.

The new canine team has started their training. The dog and handler are expected to begin serving the community by the end of July, once their training is complete.

Help us name our new dog

To help introduce the newest member of the canine unit, we are inviting you to take part in selecting a name.

Two names have been shortlisted:

Axel - A strong, popular name for police dogs, Axel is valued for being short, clear, and easy to call during training and operations.
Kilo - The name fits naturally with the canine unit’s existing dog, Echo. It comes from the phonetic alphabet widely used in policing, the military, and aviation. It is distinctive, professional, and easy for handlers to use in fast paced situations.

Residents are encouraged to vote for their favourite, with the winning name to be announced the week of April 20.

Help us choose the name for our newest police service dog and be part of welcoming them to the team!

Vote for your favourite name

Off-duty life

Police service dogs live with their handlers, who are responsible for their care and must maintain secure kennels at home. Although a strong working bond develops between the handler and the dog, they are not considered family pets. Police service dogs are highly trained working animals and operational tools, bred and conditioned to support law enforcement duties and respond reliably in high-risk situations.