Calgary 
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is turning to kids across the country for help naming its next generation of police dogs.
Credit: Royal Canadian Mounted Police Media Relations and Issues Management
The RCMP’s Police Dog Service Training Centre (PDSTC) in Innisfail, Alberta, is inviting children aged 4 to 14 to submit name ideas for 13 German Shepherd puppies expected to be born at the facility. These puppies will eventually train as working police dogs, so organizers say names should reflect their future roles, not those of household pets.
There are a few simple rules. Each child can submit one name. It must start with the letter “B,” be no more than nine letters, and have one or two syllables. The name can be for a male or female puppy. Entrants must live in Canada, and submissions must be made online by March 26, 2026.
Staff at the training centre will choose the winning names. If more than one child selects the same name, a random draw will determine the winner. While only 13 names will be chosen now, other entries may be saved for future litters.
The selected 13 children will receive a laminated 8×10 photo of the puppy they named, a plush dog named Justice, and an RCMP water bottle. Winners will be announced in late April.
Contest entries must be submitted online, but kids can also email drawings or paintings after entering.
How about “Blaze,” “Bravo,” “Brock,” “Briar,” or “Bolt”?
Name the Puppy Contest rules
- Names must begin with the letter “B”
- Names must have no more than 9 letters
- Names must be 1 or 2 syllables
- Contestants must live in Canada
- Contestants must be 4 to 14 years old
- Only 1 entry per child will be eligible
- Entries must be received by March 26, 2026
Contest winners and the winning names will be announced in late April, on the RCMP website and social media.
