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 Wednesday.

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.