Viper is a German Shepherd just months off retirement after a colourful career in the West Midlands Police as a Firearms Support Dog.

Handler, Police Constable Dave Short gives an insight into how the relationship has evolved over the years with Viper, who was his first police dog. Dave joined the Dog section with 17 years of policing under his belt, but as a newbie in the Dog Unit, learned alongside Viper on the job.

It's a varied life, and Dave and his dogs are deployed in a wide range of situations. As Viper heads towards retirement with Dave's family, the newest member of the team is trotting along behind. Six month old German Shepherd, Loki, another has big shoes to fill, but things are looking good so far.

This episode of Dogs with Jobs was recorded at Crufts 2025.

You may also enjoy these connected episodes:

• P.D. Chase and the career arc of a general purpose police dog
• P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
• P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
• P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary

• Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Met
• Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
• Keo the well being dog in the UK police; and
• Mabel the emotional support worker in the Fire Service

Do you work your dog?

Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.

Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.

Find more dogs with interesting jobs.

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Harley, trained in peanut allergen detection - a highly unusual discipline - yet one that makes perfect sense.

Harley is one of two golden retrievers in the busy family household of this episode's interviewee, Natalie Rice.

Natalie is the primary handler, but we’re focusing less on Harley's training in this episode; instead exploring the human element and the impact of her work.

Natalie is a great interviewee - highly knowledgable on allergens, and wonderfully articulate on the dangers around food and social ritual for those people who, like her daughter, have a life threatening allergy.

Harley is a literal life saver and also a much adored pet - spreading joy in a household, which has always had golden retrievers at its heart.

• Follow Natalie on Instagram to see the reels she mentions in the interview @detectiveharleyfadd or visit her website
• Harley was trained by Kathy Watters of Nosey Dog Detection Partners in Wyoming

Do you work your dog?

Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.

I love to hear from you, and very much appreciate introductions to those who may not want to put themselves forward, but who are up for talking about the talents of our canine friends.

Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.

Find more dogs with interesting jobs.

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reporting from Crufts, the best known dog show in the world.

On International Women's Day, we hear from Police Constable Sue Cheek, who was the first woman instructor in the West Midlands Police's Dog Unit.

Police Dog Chase has already shown his superb recall and restraint in the ring earlier in the day. He'll be taking a starring role in the main arena later as part of the Dog Unit's traditional display...In a show that is half drama, half panto, the dogs thrill the packed audience with their abilities to quel disorder, apprehend burglars and bring down suspects.

Sue takes a few minutes out to chat with Dogs with Dogs presenter, Kate Fairweather about an illustrious career within the West Midlands Police. It's a last hurah for them all, since both Chase and her specialist explosives dog, Trev, retire alongside her in a few months time - a chance to do all the things together as pets, which you simply can't do as a police dog.

You may also enjoy these connected episodes:

• P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
• P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
• P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary

• Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Met
• Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
• Keo the well being dog in the UK police; and
• Mabel the emotional support worker in the Fire Service

Do you work your dog?

Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.

Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.

Find more dogs with interesting jobs.

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.