Our All Black Dogs in action

We’re hoping for an All Black Dogs victory in Melbourne this weekend as three New Zealand Police dog handlers and their canine partners go into the final day of the Australian and New Zealand Police Dog Trials.

Representing New Zealand are – from left to right in our main photo – Senior Constables Owen Davies from Auckland, with Quid; Dave Robison from Whakatane, with Isaac; and Phillip (Tiny) Taylor and Murphy from Rotorua.

Quid and Isaac are taking on Aussie’s best in the patrol dog category while Murphy is in the narcotic detector class.

They’ve been tracking through properties and buildings, searching vehicles, finding drugs, property and offenders all week in some testing true-to-life scenarios.

It’s been a pawsome effort so far and we’re hoping the team trophy – which New Zealand has won six times out of a possible seven - will stay on our side of the Tasman.

Senior Sergeant Chris Best, of the NZ Police Dog Training Centre at Trentham, is New Zealand’s judge in the competition. Sergeant Steve Pike, of Auckland dog section, is also present as team manager.

The trials coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Victoria Police Dog Section and the opening of their new police dog and horse training facility.

We'll bring you the results next week. In the meantime, stay safe and have a great weekend.