Newly trained police sniffer dogs join Durham Police

Police dogs Gracie, Angus and Teddy have just passed their final assessment following a rigorous six-week course.

They have now become useful additions to the force’s explosives detection capabilities.

The trio of springer spaniels have learned to detect a number of explosive substances in different environments.

(Image: Durham Constabulary) They should each now play a crucial role in security operations, helping to identify potential threats. 

Gracie is a 17-month-old and has been with the force for eight months after being recruited from the Northern English Springer Spaniel Rescue.

(Image: Durham Constabulary) Handlers describe her as “very methodical” and a dog who just loves to work for her favourite tennis ball.

Two-year-old Angus has been with the force since he was eight weeks old and has progressed through its puppy development programme.

He is said to be very energetic but a dog who works with a lot of maturity.

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Teddy, the youngest of the trio at just 14 months old, was given to the force by a member of the public.

He is said to be “very robust and playful”, but when it is time to work, he puts his professional head on and, “gets the job done.”

Apart from covering all parts of County Durham and Darlington the trio will also offer assistance to other forces across the UK to police high-profile events to keep the public safe.