Three-year-old Belgian Shepherd Jura and his handler, MoD Police Constable Simon Hill, came away with the title of Service Dog of the Year at the British Police and Services Canine Association Dog Trials.
The pair also came third in the criminal work section.
Speaking after winning in their first trial, Simon said: “This was the first year that either of us has competed and we weren't sure what to expect.
“I had originally thought it would be a good training exercise for both of us. I'm really pleased that Jura came away with the title of Service Dog of the Year, he's a great dog and loves to work and play.”
The dog trials cover numerous disciplines required by police and service dogs. This year's trials were attended by dogs and handlers from many of the Home Office constabularies, the Prison Service, Army and RAF as well as the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP).
PC Hill has been Police Dog Jura's handler since he was an eight-week-old puppy and both are based at the Ministry of Defence Police Dog section HM Naval Base Devonport.
He added: “Jura is a confident and exuberant dog who is as happy playing ball as when he is working.
“He is a general purpose police dog who excels in the criminal work and as a dog team we have achieved the advanced level of licensing for the past two years.”
They entered the South West regional Police Dog Trials in February and came fourth with a score of 765 which was a record for an MDP officer.
The qualifying mark of 700 was needed to achieve a place in the National Police Dog Trials.
Jura has lived at home with Simon and his family near Plymouth and shares a birth date with his daughter.
The champion pair carry out many duties, from general Plymouth Naval Base dockyard patrols to detached duties guarding various venues and helping the Home Office dog force in Devon and Cornwall on criminal policing work.
