What are the capabilities of working dogs, how are they trained, and what is the connection between dog sports and police work? These questions were explored during a joint demonstration by K9andSports e.V. and the Munich Police Dog Unit on October 18, 2026, at DogWorld, held at Motorworld Munich.

For nearly an hour, visitors gained insights into the training of sport and working dogs. The focus was on the dogs' capabilities, their cooperation with humans, and the importance of responsible training.

Working Dog Sports – Up Close and Personal

The athletic portion of the demonstration was presented by K9andSports ambassadors Peter Scherk and Dr. Florian Knabl, together with Cafka. Patricia Knabl, also a K9andSports ambassador, hosted the program and explained the individual exercises to the audience.

To begin, Cafka demonstrated elements of obedience work. Precise heelwork, an attentive demeanor, and the reliable execution of various commands clearly illustrated the significant amount of training and cooperation behind these performances. Particular attention was drawn to the dog’s evident joy in working.

This was followed by an insight into scent work. As the dog searched for a a hidden toy and demonstrated how to indicate the location of an object, the audience could observe the high level of concentration and independence with which a working dog carries out its tasks.

Protection work was also part of the demonstration. Peter Scherk and Florian Knabl showcased, among other things, the "hold and bark" exercise, the transport of a subject, and a brief protection sequence. The primary goal was to highlight the importance of resilience, self-restraint, and control. Especially when in a state of high arousal, a well-trained dog must be able to respond reliably to its handler.

Insights into police work

Subsequently, the Munich Police K-9 Unit took over. Police Chief Inspector Klaus Ringlstetter, along with the K-9 handler teams Nadja with Loki, Maureen with Colt Seavers, and Christoph with Hank presented segments from the training program for police service dogs.

The program ranged from building the bond between dog and handler and searching for narcotics in suitcases to developing full-protection work. Training under conditions of distraction was also demonstrated.

In this context, both the similarities and the differences between sport and operational service became apparent. While exercises in IGP dog sport follow a set rulebook, police dogs must be prepared for a wide variety of operational scenarios. Nevertheless, a strong willingness to work, resilience, a steady temperament, and reliable cooperation with the handler are of great importance in both fields.

Why such encounters are important

Working dogs are employed in many areas of our society, such as within the police force, customs services, or rescue operations. For these roles, they require specific traits that cannot be developed through training alone.

Genetic predisposition also plays an important role. Responsible breeding, appropriate rearing conditions, and sound training help to preserve these capabilities. Working dog sports offer an opportunity to reveal and assess the essential traits of these dogs.

This is precisely where the work of K9andSports comes in. The association aims to foster exchange between the worlds of dog sports, breeding, and agencies that utilize working dogs, while simultaneously demonstrating to the public what makes working dogs so exceptional.

The joint demonstration at DogWorld provided a great opportunity for this. The audience followed the exercises with keen interest and was able to ask further questions afterward at the police booth. At the end, Cafka also got to enjoy plenty of pats and strokes.

Our sincere thanks go to the Munich Police K-9 Unit for their collaboration, to all the participating dog handlers, and to DogWorld for the invitation and the opportunity to introduce working dogs to a wider audience.