Photo: Contributed - Wayne Emde

By Wayne Emde

RCMP Const. Matt Taylor introduced his newest potential partner, Gord, to the media on Monday.

Gord is a 12-week-old purebred German shepherd puppy from the RCMP breeding facility at Innisfail, Alta.

“The first night he was here, I slept with my hand in his cage and he cried all night,” said Taylor. "I think he’s doubled in size and weight in the past three weeks.”

Taylor will train and assess the pup until the end of the year, and if he makes the grade, Gord will be sent to Innisfail for further training. 

RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk, after whom the puppy is not named, said some dogs aren’t fierce enough to undertake full RCMP operations. “They may be very good at tracking or drug sniffing, but they may be too gentle,” Molendyk said.

These dogs may be sold to other agencies, such as border services, where they would specialize in sniffing out illegal drugs.

Taylor and Gord will spend all their time together, “24-7” until a decision is made. “Right now, he’s very interested, and fearless,” Taylor said, “and he’s started his tracking training.”