Give a big round of a-paws for Bolt, an explosives detection canine from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)! The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has named the three-year-old German shorthaired pointer the winner of its 2026 Cutest Canine Contest. The agency uses the annual contest to highlight the important role of security dogs.
TSA conducted a nationwide contest on social media where the traveling public voted for the agency’s “cutest canine” from among four finalists representing different regions of the country. TSA canine handlers from the nation’s airports initially nominated 85 dogs in advance of employee online voting, which narrowed the field to the final four canines, all of whom are “doggone” dedicated.
Bolt is the third German shorthaired pointer to win the TSA Cutest Canine Contest in the last four years.
“This recognition is a fun way to celebrate the extraordinary work of our canine teams and the strong bond between each canine and handler,” said TSA Administrator David P. Cummins. “Explosives detection canine teams are one of TSA’s most effective and visible layers of security. These highly trained dogs and their handlers help detect threats in dynamic transportation environments, deter potential attacks, and give travelers confidence that TSA is using proven, adaptable capabilities to protect the traveling public.”
Bolt’s handler, Daphne Wang, said her canine partner is an intense worker but has quite the personality.
“I am ecstatic for Bolt,” Wang said. “He is such a character and a hard-working little guy. He absolutely loves his job and coming to work. I am so happy he gets to show the world his quirky personality. It’s definitely an adventure working with Bolt every day. There is nothing ordinary about him. He works hard and plays even harder. He is always in working mode, even at home. He is never short on energy and is always 1,000% excited to go to work.”
The Role of Security Canines
The TSA employs canines like Bolt in its security operations nationwide. These explosives detection canine teams nimbly work through large groups of moving people to detect the source of an explosive’s odor. Canine teams train regularly, and handlers learn to read subtle changes in their canine’s behavior, including when they detect the scent of an explosive. If a canine alerts its handler to the presence of an explosive’s odor, the handler follows an established procedure to resolve the alarm with minimal impact to the screening lane.
According to the TSA, these canines provide an effective tool for deterring and detecting the introduction of explosive devices into the nation’s transportation systems. The agency trains the canine teams at its national Canine Training Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program began in 1972 under the Federal Aviation Administration as a partnership with state and local law enforcement. The program was transferred to the TSA after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The first use of TSA explosives detection canines was in March 2008 to screen air cargo, and in 2011, the TSA expanded the program to screen passengers.
“Canines are an essential part of our team at TSA,” said Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill. “As cute as Bolt and our other canines are, the work they do is vital for TSA’s national security mission.”
As a reminder to travelers, TSA canines are on duty while with their handlers at the airport and must not be petted.
Runners-Up
Bolt will be featured on the front cover of the agency’s 2027 Canine Calendar, which is scheduled for release in December.
Congratulations to the TSA’s other three finalists:
- Ember, a Labrador retriever from Orlando International Airport, is four years old and was the close runner-up in this year’s voting. Her handler, Oscar Urdininea, joined forces with Ember after retiring his previous working canine, Bona. Urdininea said Ember and Bona are best friends and love playing fetch or lying on the couch next to each other. Ember enjoys coming to work, searching all areas in and around the airport, and loves to eat steak chunks and play with her squeaky bone.
- Epic, a four-year-old Labrador retriever, works at Pittsburgh International Airport, the home of the 2025 TSA Cutest Canine winner, Steeler. Epic has served the Pittsburgh area for approximately two years. His handler, Devon Flaig, said Epic loves to chase the ball in his free time, and his favorite reward is playing with a Gappay ball. He also enjoys eating chicken jerky.
- Xaro is a German shepherd from St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Xaro celebrated his 9th birthday earlier this month and is planning to retire from service by the end of the year. Handler Raymond Wu said Xaro loves playing tug with a ball on a rope, and nothing beats dessert time and his new favorite treats: Three Dog Bakery Lick’n Crunch golden and peanut butter sandwich cookies. After a long day, Xaro enjoys napping in the sun with his head on a pillow.
Make sure to download the 2026 TSA Canine Calendar—featuring last year’s top dog, Steeler, and other cuties—here!