Guelph Police Service Welcomes New Police Service Dog

The Guelph Police Service welcomed its newest canine on April 9. The one-year-old Belgian Malinois / German Shepherd mix was carefully selected for temperament, intelligence and trainability. The new police dog will play an important role in supporting frontline operations and enhancing community safety.

The Guelph Police Service is inviting residents to help name the newest member of the canine unit. From April 13 – 19, Guelph residents are encouraged to vote between the two possible names, both reflecting the strength, loyalty, and courage that police dogs demonstrate in the line of duty.

Axel
Axel is a strong, popular name for police dogs, valued for being short, clear, and easy to call during training and operations.

Kilo
Kilo comes from the phonetic alphabet widely used in policing, the military, and aviation. The name fits naturally with the canine unit’s existing dog, Echo. It’s distinctive, professional, and easy for handlers to use in fast‑paced situations.

The selected name will be announced the week of April 20.

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

Police service dogs play a vital role in keeping the community safe. They are trained to locate missing persons and suspects, track and apprehend offenders, recover evidence, and support officers during high-risk incidents. In addition to their operational duties, they also participate in community events and public demonstrations.

Residents are encouraged to vote for their favourite name and follow the Guelph Police Service on social media for updates.