A police dog demonstrates impressive apprehension skills in the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Police Dog Technical Competition on July 10. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

With over 70 police dogs showcasing their skills in programs including tracking, evidence search, blood detection, manhunt, drug detection, explosive detection and basic obedience, the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Police Dog Technical Competition kicked off in the city on July 10.

A total of 73 handlers representing 19 teams from across the bureau took part in the competition, aiming to secure a spot in the national police dog technical competition later this year, according to the bureau's criminal investigation department — the contest's leading organizer.

A police dog, also known as K-9 or K9 (a homophone of canine), is a dog specifically trained to assist members of law enforcement. Police dogs play a unique and irreplaceable role in public security work, as they boast natural biological advantages in sectors such as odor tracking, evidence search, security patrols, explosion prevention and emergency handling.

A police dog demonstrates its explosive detection abilities in the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Police Dog Technical Competition on July 10. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

During the competition, more than 10 varieties of police dogs competed in practical scenarios. In addition to the tall and powerful German shepherds and Malinois, Labrador retrievers as well as small and cute breeds such as Jack Russell Terrier and English Springer Spaniels are among the competitors.

"Through the competition, we will fully investigate the (police dog) trainer's canine combat capabilities such as command coordination, tracking and manhunt. With a summer training program and more competition to follow, we will select the trainers and ultimately form a seven-member team on behalf of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau to participate in the national police dog technical competition in the next half year," said Guo Hao, team leader of the tenth detachment of the bureau's criminal investigation department.

The Shanghai police will continue to strengthen the professional training of police dogs, and to promote the standardization and application of police dog technologies, contributing to social security stability, according to the organizer.

A police dog wears high-tech search equipment in the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Police Dog Technical Competition on July 10. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

A police dog performs drug detection tasks under its handler's command in the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Police Dog Technical Competition on July 10. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

A police dog is awarded for outstanding performance in the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Police Dog Technical Competition on July 10. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

Three police dogs are awarded for outstanding performance the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Police Dog Technical Competition on July 10. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]