TWITTER users are being asked to #nameourpups as West Midlands Police turns to its social media followers to name a new litter of spaniels. Nine Springer puppies – the force’s future search specialists – arrived safely at the Dog Unit’s Balsall Common base when mum Grace gave birth in the early hours December 8. The three boys and six girls make up ‘O’ Litter which means all their names must begin with that letter – and followers of the @WMPolice Twitter feed are, for the first time, being asked what each should be called. Suggestions using the hashtag #nameourpups must be tweeted in before December 28. Breed Scheme Manager Dave Raymond, said: “These are the only spaniel pups born through our in-house breed and training scheme this year so it’s an exciting time for us…and we’d like Twitter users to join in the fun by helping come up with names. “When it comes to naming puppies litters are like hurricanes: we go through the alphabet and each one must have a name beginning with that letter. And these little fellas, and girls, are O litter – so hopefully we’ll receive some novel, interesting O names that the pups can take through their police careers. “The only other rule is that the name can’t be offensive or in anyway misinterpreted.” Springer spaniels are trained by West Midlands Police as specialist search dogs – hunting for weapons, drugs, cash, stolen items or explosives – and the evidence they uncover is often crucial in securing court convictions. The force runs the largest, most successful police dog breed scheme in the UK with more than 80 per cent of all dogs going through the training programme becoming operational. Any that don’t make the grade are sold as working dogs or given to good homes. It’s also achieved Assured Breeder accreditation by the Kennel Club in recognition of its commitment to dog welfare. Dave Raymond, added: “Brood bitches are selected for their exemplary search skills, stability, responsiveness and temperament…they have blood and eye tests to make sure they don’t pass on any hereditary conditions. “Mum Grace was born into the breed scheme in August 2009. This is her second litter and, in line with Kennel Club guidelines, she’ll have no more than four in her lifetime and only one in any 12-month period. In between, she enjoys life at home with volunteers as a family pet.” O Litter’s dad is West Midlands Police Dog Tom, a five-year-old explosives search specialist.

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   + Puppies
   + West Midlands Police

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