Although the Toronto Police Dog Services has been around since 1989, many Toronto residents are still unfamiliar with the hard-working pups that continue to keep the city safe. 

At present, the unit consists of 21 handlers and 31 dogs, each of which has been chosen for its good health, temperament, and training ability. 

Most teams are comprised of one handler and one general-purpose police dog, but many handlers also have a second police dog that specializes in search and rescue or detection of narcotics, firearms, explosives, or cadavers. 

The four-legged friends become a part of an officer's family, and even live with them during their off hours. 

PSD Sunny gets extra belly rubs after finding a subject wanted for a break and enter in @TPS55Div yesterday. Amazing teamwork and coordination by @comm911tps and all members of 55 Division who were involved. pic.twitter.com/kPLiKa4ABu

— Toronto Police K9 (@TPSK9) March 15, 2023

All police dogs are purchased after testing and are usually between the ages of one to two years. Both the general purpose handler and the dog form a team and embark on a 15-week training course, where they're taught obedience, agility, tracking, property/evidence searches, area searches, and building searches. 

Early Tues, a suspect broke into a building at the CNE & caused damage. He fled after being confronted by security. PC Kazzouh & PSD Rookie tracked the suspect for a km finding him hidden in a culvert near the Gardner Expressway #K9 #GermanShepherd #PoliceDog #FirstFindForKazz pic.twitter.com/4IfKgucg3o

— Toronto Police K9 (@TPSK9) September 1, 2021

Once the police dog team graduates, they take on general patrol work and respond to a variety of calls, including lost or wanted persons, searches for evidence, break and enters, or situations where a suspect has fled from the police or a crime scene. 

Yesterday PSD Kobe & PC Indiran were called in to help with a B&E to a church in the McCowan / Kingston Rd area. @TPS43Div arrested 4 males. #K9 tracked the last through back yards & found him hidden behind a shed. Great #teamwork including members of the community who called 911 pic.twitter.com/rl0yDAPFRQ

— Toronto Police K9 (@TPSK9) June 24, 2021

The service currently uses German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois for general-purpose police dogs and uses Springer Spaniel, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador Retriever breeds for the detection of narcotics, firearms, ammunition, and explosives. 

PSD Frag meets @TPSMounted Mount Chief Blair at the Malvern Community Centre yesterday after an open skate put on by 42 Division. Great time had by all. pic.twitter.com/qv90DMWuXh

— Toronto Police K9 (@TPSK9) March 18, 2023

Each of the diligent police dogs has a profile set up on the service's website, and all of them boast adorable names, like Sunny, Swinger, Havoc, Phantom, Rookie, Halo, and Colt.

Congratulations to Sgt Thrush and PSD Frankie upon the successful completion of the human remains detection course. Well done #team! #K9 #EnglishSpringerSpaniel #PoliceDog pic.twitter.com/cpICAKdLUk

— Toronto Police K9 (@TPSK9) November 18, 2021

While it might be tempting to give these furry friends a pat on their back for all their hard work, keep in mind that you shouldn't distract them when they're on the clock and in uniform.

You can more about the adorable pups here.