NZ Police dogs and handlers to challenge Aussies in dog trials

Senior Constable Phillip (Tiny) Taylor and Murphy (Rotorua) are in the narcotics detector category. Photo/NZ Police

As the All Blacks prepare to give the Aussies a thrashing today for the Bledisloe Cup Test, another group of Kiwis is planning the same.

Three New Zealand Police dogs and their handlers are flying to Melbourne this weekend for the Australian and NZ Police Dog Trials.

NZ Police have won six out of the seven trials since they first began in 1988.

Senior Constable Dave Robison and Isaac (Whakatane) will be taking part in the trials this year. Photo/NZ Police

"Our patrol and detector dog teams are very experienced so we're hoping this bodes well for next week," said Inspector Todd Southall, national coordinator police dogs.

Competing in the patrol dog category are Senior Constable Owen Davies and Quid from Auckland, and Senior Constable Dave Robison and Isaac from Whakatane.

Senior Constable Phillip (Tiny) Taylor and Murphy from Rotorua are in the narcotics detector category.

Senior Constable Owen Davies and Quid are making the trip from Auckland. Photo/NZ Police

Like other international canine travellers, Quid, 3, and Isaac, 8, both German Shepherds, and Murphy, 7, a black Labrador, will be vet checked and have their documentation inspected before flying out from Wellington.

During the six-day competition, teams will be tested in agility, speed, tracking, building and property searches, obedience and other tasks based on operational incidents.

The competition ends with a public display at Lakeside Oval in Melbourne on Saturday next week.

The trials, held every three to four years, coincide this year with the 40th anniversary of the Victoria Police dog section.