Kelowna RCMP have introduced their newest police dog recruit, a German shepherd puppy named Hank.
The puppy has been paired with Const. Mike Bobinski, a veteran police dog handler who has been part of the RCMP Police Dog Service program since 2009.
Bobinski is currently working with police service dog Luger while also training Hank.
Luger, the third dog Bobinski has worked with on the road, is nearing retirement and will help introduce Hank to police work before leaving the RCMP.
The RCMP says it has used police dogs since 1935, with German shepherds remaining the force’s preferred breed because of their strength, courage, versatility and ability to work in different climates.
The force says gender is not a determining factor for a police service dog. Instead, dogs must show the drive and temperament needed for police work, be in excellent physical condition and have a strong hunting instinct.
Hank was born on Feb. 13, 2026, and is approaching four months old.
The RCMP says he has just over 60 days before his first benchmark assessment.
Puppies in the program begin training as early as eight weeks old, with early work focused on trust and basic skills.
They are assessed at six, nine and 12 months to determine whether they are developing properly and showing the traits needed for police work, including courage, intelligence, curiosity, scenting ability and composure in stressful situations.
At about 13 months old, the dog and handler attend formal training in Innisfail, Alta.
That phase lasts between three and six months and includes tracking, searching, criminal apprehension, obedience and specialized detection work, such as drugs or explosives.
The RCMP says Bobinski was given the rare opportunity to personally choose Hank from a litter because of his record in training police dogs.
The force says that is not common practice, as puppies are usually assigned to a detachment and paired with a handler when they arrive.
When Hank is not training, he spends time playing with Luger on Bobinski’s farm, along with Luna, a Great Pyrenees.
Once fully trained, Hank is expected to join the RCMP’s Southeast District Police Dog Service Unit.
Police service dog teams in the district respond to about 5,000 calls each year.
The RCMP says Hank could eventually assist with tracking suspects, finding missing people, apprehending people fleeing police and supporting emergency response teams during high-risk incidents.
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