Calgary 
The RCMP’s annual “Name the Puppy Contest” is back, and this year, it’s all about the letter A.
Credit: Royal Canadian Mounted Police Media Relations and Issues Management
Each year, the Police Dog Service Training Centre (PDSTC) in Innisfail, Alberta, asks kids aged 4 to 14 from across Canada to submit name ideas for their newest batch of German Shepherd puppies. The rules? Keep it short (one or two syllables), simple (max nine letters), and make sure it starts with “A”. The contest runs from February 19 to March 19, 2025, and all entries must be submitted online.
Winners—one from each province and territory—will be revealed on April 17, 2025, and will score some cool prizes, including an official photo of the pup they named, a Justice plush dog, and an RCMP water bottle. Only 13 winning names will be chosen, but even unused names might be picked for other pups born throughout the year.
PDSTC is known for breeding top-tier working dogs trained for search and tracking missions. These pups will eventually become part of the RCMP’s elite K9 unit—so their names should be as strong and courageous as they are!
What about Aakii, Auburn, Alaric, Axel, Ace, or Aziel?
Contest Details – Name the Puppy Contest 2025
Credit: Royal Canadian Mounted Police Media Relations and Issues Management
Submission period: February 19 to March 19, 2025
How to enter
- Submissions can only be made using the online form.
- Each participant can send in one unique name (1 entry per person).
- The name must start with the letter “A”.
- The name must be 1 or 2 syllables.
- The name must have no more than 9 letters.
- All entries must be received by Monday, March 19, 2025.
Eligibility
- Only kids between the ages of 4 to 14 years old may enter.
- Contestants must live in Canada.
- Kids should always get a parent or guardian’s permission before sending personal information such as their name or phone number to any website.
