Levi, all 90 muscular pounds of him, is clearly in "action" mode, unfazed by the 90-degree heat.
The Woodbury Police Department canine is going through his paces intently, his German shepherd ears pricked alertly to Officer Jeff Gottstein's terse commands.
Levi and Gottstein will be among more than 70 police canine units from Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota converging on Woodbury starting Sunday for the Region 18 trials of the United States Police Canine Association.
Dogs will demonstrate their skills in agility testing, obedience testing, article search, suspect search and criminal apprehension with and without gunfire.
Most of the events -- which run through Tuesday -- are free and open to the public, including a demonstration at 6 p.m. on Sunday at the East Ridge High football field.
"Dogs can become certified as police canines by passing all the requirements during the trials," said Gottstein, Levi's partner since the dog arrived from Slovakia four years ago. "In addition, those competing are trying to qualify for the national competition scheduled for September in Detroit Lakes."
By playing host to the trials, the Woodbury Police Department is also hoping to raise some of the $30,000 needed to get a third dog. Niko, a Belgian malinois and partner with Officer Jason Posel, is the other canine in the department and will also be competing.
Jim Anderson
