This floppy-eared pooch named TSA’s cutest bomb-sniffing dog: ‘Barni is a very special canine’

A bomb-sniffing dog named Barni has won America’s Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 2024 Cutest Canine contest.

The 5-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer is an explosives detection police dog at San Francisco international airport.

Crowned by his handler, Michelle Cogel, the plucky pooch won after members of the public voted on social media.

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Barni scooped the prize despite stiff competition from Carlo, a 3-year-old Vizsla from Kansas City International Airport, Badger, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, and Birdie, a 3-year-old Yellow Lab/Vizsla from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.

TSA employees had voted and narrowed the original field of 87 cute contenders to the final four canines.

TSA said: “Barni is a very special canine with a strong work ethic. He bursts with energy when working to detect any trace of explosives. He loves to be with his canine co-workers at the San Francisco International Airport, where he is all business.

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“When he’s at home with his handler, Michelle, he’s free to be a goofball. He loves to play fetch but mainly is obsessed with keeping fit by chasing squirrels.”

TSA say they employ canines like Barni in its security operations nationwide.

The teams work through large groups of people to detect the source of an explosive’s odor, even if the source is mobile.

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The canines and their handlers train regularly, and the handlers learn to read subtle changes in their canine’s behaviour when the scent of an explosive has been detected.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske said: “Our explosives detection canines and their handlers are an essential component of TSA’s multi-layered approach to security.

“I look forward to this contest every year, and the friendly competition among airports and then with the public is a great way to recognise their work to secure our transportation systems and keep the traveling public safe”

Barni will be featured on the front cover of TSA’s 2025 Canine Calendar the agency will release in December.

This annual contest is held in recognition of National Dog Day to acknowledge the important role TSA’s hardworking canines play in protecting the nation’s transportation systems.

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