Fifteen of New Zealand’s hardest-working police dogs are stepping into the spotlight with the launch of a brand-new series of collectable K9 dog cards 🃏🐶. Featuring 10 patrol dogs and five detector dogs from across the country, the collection celebrates the skill, bravery, and dedication of these canine heroes — while giving the public a closer look at the important role they play.

Meet the Canine Crime-Fighters

From tracking offenders to locating missing people, the Police Dog Squad — known as the Delta teams — is an essential part of frontline policing. Patrol dogs are trained to track, chase, and apprehend suspects, while detector dogs specialise in sniffing out drugs, firearms, explosives, cash, and even electronic devices.

These highly skilled dogs help police keep communities safe, support major investigations, and respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice. In busy cities like Wellington, they’re involved in everything from locating vulnerable people to assisting in armed incidents and large public events.

What Do Police Dogs Eat?

Just like elite human athletes, police dogs maintain strict diets to support their strength, stamina, and sharp senses.
They typically eat:

• High-protein kibble for muscle development
• Lean meats such as chicken, beef, or lamb
• Special performance formulas designed for working dogs
• Hydration supplements during long shifts or hot weather

Handlers carefully monitor each dog’s nutrition to ensure peak performance and good health throughout their career.

Training, Discipline, and Heart

Becoming a Police dog is no easy achievement. The training is intense and begins when they are still young — learning obedience, bite training, tracking, and scent detection. Dogs that make it through the programme work closely with a single dedicated handler, building a strong bond of trust.

In Wellington, these K9 teams play a crucial role in:

• Responding to burglaries and vehicle thefts
• Supporting search and rescue missions
• Assisting Armed Offenders Squad operations
• Making large events safer, including protests and major sports games
• Detecting illegal substances and contraband
• Protecting frontline officers

Their contributions save time, save resources, and often save lives.

A Fun Way to Learn

The new K9 collectable cards aren’t just a tribute — they’re also an educational tool. Each card includes fun facts, the dog’s strengths, their favourite activities, and details about what their particular job involves. Kids and adults alike can learn more about how these amazing dogs help fight crime and keep New Zealand safe.

Celebrating Our Four-Legged Heroes

From loyal patrol dogs bounding through bushland on a search mission, to detector dogs sniffing out hidden threats at airports, these canine superstars deserve recognition.

This new card series is a fun, engaging way to showcase their hard work — and give New Zealanders a chance to appreciate the paws behind the police badge.