A&E Network is moving forward on what they describe as the “ultimate K-9 competition series,” Top Dog. The series comes from the producers of the network’s hit Live PD and is expected to feature fan-favorite K-9s and their handlers. The highly trained dogs and their human partners will be competing against amateur K-9 teams on difficult obstacle courses.
“The K-9 officers featured on Live PD have received a tremendous response from viewers, many of which now have their own fan clubs and hundreds of thousands of Twitter followers,” stated Elaine Frontain Bryant, Executive President and Head of Programming A&E Network. “This series will highlight the important and dangerous work being done every day by these four-legged law enforcement officers, while also giving them a chance to show off their skills and have some fun with equality skilled civilian dogs.”
The just-announced series will be produced by Big Fish Entertainment, an MGM Company. Dan Cesareo, Lucilla D’Agostino and Jordana Starr are executive producing for Big Fish Entertainment. Shelly Tatro, Sean Gottlieb and Brad Holcman are executive producing for A&E Network.
“Competition is a very exciting new space for us and felt like a fresh and unexpected way of expanding the Live PD brand. We’re thrilled to deliver more K-9 action and expertise to viewers and look forward to unveiling the course,” said Big Fish President Dan Cesareo.
Details on Top Dog (the working title), courtesy of A&E Network:
In each episode, K-9s accompanied by their handlers will be tested on agility, speed and skill and face-off against the country’s best competitive civilian canines to be named “Top Dog.”
K-9 cops, also known as police dogs, have been used in law enforcement for decades and are recognized as having a vital role. They are specifically and carefully trained to assist police and other law enforcement personnel. Trained alongside their human counterparts, a police dog’s duties include finding crime scene evidence, searching for and locating drugs, explosives and missing people, as well as helping to apprehend suspects targeted by the police handler. Seen as a tremendous help to police, K-9s are often on the front lines to help fight against violent criminals.
