WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is proud to announce explosives detection canine Steeler, a 2½-year-old Labrador retriever from Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), scores the title of 2025 top canine of the year.
TSA held a nail-biter nationwide contest on social media where the public voted for the agency’s “cutest canine” from among four agency finalists, each representing a different region of the nation. TSA canine handlers from airports across the country initially nominated 97 dogs before employees voted online and narrowed the field to the final four canines, all of whom deserve a round of a-paws.
“Our explosives detection canines and their handlers play a critical role in protecting the nation’s transportation systems,” said TSA Acting Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl. “TSA’s annual Cutest Canine Contest gives us the opportunity to recognize their hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Steeler and thank you to the approximately 1,000 TSA canine teams who keep America and the traveling public safe.”
Steeler works alongside his handler, Mark Smith, at PIT providing explosives detection capabilities as part of TSA’s multilayered security approach. Although Steeler has only been on the job for just over one year, he keeps the traveling public safe through his doggone sniffing abilities and is already making a significant imprint on PIT. He enjoys fetching balls, playing with a tug rope and eating jumbo hot dogs. Steeler and the rest of his litter were born on Super Bowl Sunday 2023 and all named after NFL teams.
This announcement comes on National Dog Day, celebrated each year on August 26. Steeler, who eked out a win by just a few hundred votes, will be featured on the front cover of the agency’s 2026 Canine Calendar, which is scheduled for release in December.
Background on TSA Explosives Detection Canine Teams
TSA employs canines like Steeler 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.
These highly trained canines provide an effective tool for deterring and detecting explosive devices that threaten the nation’s transportation systems. TSA trains its canine teams at the agency’s national Canine Training Center in San Antonio. The National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program began in 1972 under the Federal Aviation Administration as a partnership with state and local law enforcement. This partnership continues today. The program was transferred to TSA following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The first use of TSA-led explosives detection canine teams was in March 2008 to screen air cargo, and in 2011, TSA expanded the program to screen passengers. When explosives detection canines are on duty with their handlers at the airport, they are hard at work and must not be petted.
Honorable mention for three other finalists
- Alex, a Labrador retriever from Denver International Airport, who will celebrate his 10th birthday on Sept. 14, was a very close runner-up in this year’s voting. Handler Roxanne Sherwin said Alex has more than seven years of service protecting the traveling public and is scheduled to retire in late May 2026. Alex’s favorite reward is his Santa Claus dog toy, and he loves playing fetch and catch and eating green beans.
- Chica is a 3-year-old German wirehaired pointer from Indianapolis International Airport. Handler Keith Gray said Chica loves working at the airport, walking in and out of crowds and taking long walks around the neighborhood to spot birds and squirrels.
- Erika, a German shepherd from Florida’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, recently celebrated her 7th birthday and loves keeping everyone safe. Her handler, Christopher Valentine, said Erika enjoys snacking on dental treats and munching on ice cubes to cool her down in sunny South Florida.
Later this year, TSA will announce details on how the public can download the free 2026 TSA Canine Calendar, which will feature 12 contestants from TSA’s 2025 Cutest Canine Contest. The 2025 Canine Calendar is available on the TSA website.
