Hyderabad to host India’s first-ever National Canine Bravery Awards honouring heroic service dogs

Hyderabad: Hyderabad will soon host a unique national event celebrating India’s most courageous dogs.

The National Canine Bravery Awards, also called K9 Heroes, will be presented at HyCan 2025 on November 8 and 9, in what organisers describe as a first-of-its-kind tribute to service dogs that have displayed exceptional courage in the line of duty.

Jointly organised by the Rashtriya Raksha University’s Commando K9 Academy and the Hyderabad Canine Club, the awards coincide with the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a symbolic connection to India’s spirit of unity, discipline, and service.

Honouring service dogs across India

The event will recognise dogs from across India’s armed and police forces, including nominations from the SSB, CISF, BSF, NSG and the Telangana State Police, among others. Each nomination highlights a story of bravery, from detecting explosives and tracking criminals to rescuing civilians in disaster zones.

“These dogs are an integral part of India’s security apparatus, yet their courage often goes unnoticed,” the organisers said. “This initiative is meant to give them the national recognition they truly deserve.”

What the awards represent

India’s security forces currently employ thousands of trained dogs across multiple agencies.

These K9 units perform critical roles, bomb detection, narcotics control, search-and-rescue, and patrol duties, often under life-threatening conditions. The awards aim to highlight the dedication of both the dogs and their handlers, who share a deep bond built on trust, discipline and daily training.

According to senior trainers at the Commando K9 Academy, the selection process for the awards involves evaluating real-life missions where the dogs have displayed “exceptional courage, intelligence, and loyalty under operational stress.”

A landmark moment for K9 Units

The National Canine Bravery Awards are expected to become an annual fixture, bringing together security personnel, veterinary experts, and animal welfare advocates. For Hyderabad, this marks the first time that a city-based canine expo will host a national-level recognition for service dogs.

“This will be a landmark event for K9 units and security forces,” said the organisers in a joint statement. “We hope it inspires more young officers to join and strengthen the K9 divisions across India.”

More than just an award ceremony

HyCan 2025 itself is a large-scale celebration of pets, training, and responsible ownership. The two-day event will feature dog shows, pet adoption drives, grooming workshops, and a “Safe with Dogs” awareness campaign. But the highlight, organisers say, will be the K9 Heroes segment, where attendees can witness demonstrations by commando-trained dogs and hear the stories of those receiving the bravery medals.

Why Hyderabad?

Hyderabad’s growing focus on animal welfare and its active police dog units made it a fitting choice for the first National Canine Bravery Awards. The city’s police department has one of the most organised K9 squads in the country, with dogs trained for explosive detection, narcotics search, and patrol duties.

By bringing together the security community, pet lovers, and the general public, the event aims to build greater appreciation for how dogs contribute to both national security and everyday life.

Looking ahead

Winners of the inaugural National Canine Bravery Awards will be announced during HyCan 2025, with special commendations presented to their handlers. Future editions are expected to include civilian categories as well, honouring pet dogs that have shown bravery during emergencies.

As one organiser put it: “Whether it’s a dog guarding a border, saving lives in a disaster, or comforting a soldier, every act of courage deserves to be remembered. These awards are for them.”