Let me introduce you to Max (top) and Poppy (bottom), who are very special dogs indeed. Poppy and Max are English springer spaniels, who work as explosive sniffer dogs for the Metropolitan Police Dog Support Unit.
I was thrilled to meet this lovely pair in Green Park, where the officers (who are also their handlers) took them for a walk. Poppy is older and more experienced, but both Max and Poppy come from Battersea Dogs Home. Phil, Max's handler, told me a little about Max, an abandoned puppy handed in at a dog rescue. From the start, he showed a lot of potential, and was consequently put on a sniffer dog training course. Max is only 2 years old but he completed his sniffer dog course in January 2005 and has since worked on London Underground, in the aftermath of 7/7 London bombings.
To an unknowing eye, Max and Poppy looked like two very happy dogs bouncing around with the usual spaniel vivacity, playing with sticks found in the grass. Once called by their handlers, however, their training and discipline showed as they responded immediately and came to heel. Poppy really wanted to play with her stick, so that lovely photo of her shows her lifting her front paw, asking for the stick in a very lady-like fashion.
English springer spaniels are gundogs, which find, flush and retrieve for gun. They are excellent at tracking a scent and are eager to please, which makes them ideal for training as sniffer dogs. They are also wonderful companions – affectionate and kind.
A very special thanks to the officers who were so kind to let me take photos of the dogs and spent time chatting to me. And I walked away feeling that London was a little safer in their hands (and paws!).
More about English springer spaniels:
English Springer Spaniel Club in UK
