This month we feature a German Shepherd who is a servant of the peace, K9 Officer Rigz of the Epsom New Hampshire Police Department, handled by Sergeant Brian Michael.

Rigz was donated to the police department when he was 12 weeks old by his breeder, Becky Dickson of
GretchAnya German Shepherds. After a year with Sgt. Michael - and just 15.5 months since birth - Rigz
was certified by the state of New Hampshire as a Police K9, on May 26, 2005. He is one of the youngest
dogs in state history to do so.

To be a patrol dog, Rigz had to learn tracking, criminal apprehension, evidence recovery, strict and unquestioning obedience, and agility.  The intensive training program requires 400 hours - 10 weeks, 40 hours a week - with the New Hampshire State Police. At the end, both dog and handler must show proficiency in all areas to make the cut. Rigz did, earning certification from the New Hampshire State Police K-9 Unit, to “NESPAC” (New England State Police Administrators Conference) standards.

But he wasn't quite through with school. Eighteen months after completing K9 certification, he and Sgt. Michael
completed Narcotics Detection training, on Nov. 1, 2006.  Rigz was then certified to search for Marijuana, Heroin,
Cocaine, Crack, Methamphetamine, and money. As in patrol school, Rigz was required to pass a certification test
with the NH State Police. This training was seven weeks, 40 hours per week, for a total of 280 hours.

In order to maintain his certification, Rigz and Sgt Michael must continue to work. The pair attend a minimum of three
8-hour training sessions a month.  They also train approximately one hour per shift.

Rigz's breeder says she can't think of a better place for him to be. She identified him as potential trouble for a companion home at just five weeks old, when he learned how to climb out of a 36-inch ex-pen.
 

"At 8 weeks, we went to the vet for health certificates and shots for the litter," Becky Dickson said. "There were 10 puppies, and this little sable fireball could not stop his legs - or mouth - from going. I told my vet that I couldn't, in good conscience, sell that puppy to a pet home. I knew he was going to be a handful."

The next day, the vet called Becky to say that the Epsom Police Department was looking for a puppy to train as a K9.
It was a perfect fit.

Sgt. Michael and his wife went to meet Rigz when he was about 9 weeks old, Becky Dickson said. "He was really wild, and they had just adopted a baby. But I knew that the dog was going to the police academy for training - and if ever there was a dog who would love that, it was Rigz."

Rigz averages between 60 and 70 calls for service a year. He is a successful K9 and he enjoys the work, Sgt. Michael said. Rigz has apprehended several criminals, found lost people, evidence, and has had several significant drug finds.

 

Photos courtesy Sgt. Brian Michael, Epsom NH PD Above left: One day after Narcotics certification, Rigz finds a virtual marijuana factory. Right: Rigz relaxing.

 

All work is play for this special Shepherd. “If Rigz had it his way, he would be in his police car 24 hours a day,
7 days a week,” Sgt. Michael said.

When Rigz is off-duty, he enjoys hiking with Sgt. Michael and his family, and he runs with the family's other dog outdoors, under supervision. But inside, he is typically in his crate, and he is separated from the public when he is not working. 

Sgt. Michael said because Rigz is a working dog, he has no manners: He will jump on the kitchen counter, the table, the couch, and anything is considered a toy. Sgt. Michael said he cannot correct Rigz; any attempt to teach him manners may make the dog associate a correction with work.

"For example, if he jumps on my kitchen counter, that is bad. But if, during a drug search, he jumps up on that kitchen
counter, he could be indicating he found a drug," Sgt. Michael said.

In the State of New Hampshire, all working dogs must be purebred. Sgt. Micheal said he hasn't encountered any
negative comments regarding Rigz's American-bred pedigree versus a European working line. And no one can deny
his work ethic.

Sgt . Michael would like to acknowledge Central New Hampshire Animal Care and Dr. Kevin Mara, who has donated
veterinarian care to the Epsom Police Department K9 Program since its inception about 15 years ago. One hundred percent
of the services required by the K9 unit are at no charge. Dr. Mara, in Chichester, NH, is also the person who referred
Sgt. Michael to Becky when he was searching for the perfect working dog.

Let's celebrate the month of November and the versatility of the German Shepherd by honoring "Officer Rigz" and Sergeant
Brian Michael.

        Anita Rabidou-Milligan is a contributing writer for The German Shepherd by Design. She can be reached at anitaar@juno.com.