RRU K9 masterclass 2026 brings India’s K9 professionals to Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Hyderabad is hosting a specialized event for India’s K9 professionals. Handlers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Assam Rifles, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and multiple state police K9 units are attending the RRU K9 Masterclass 2026.
This five-day K9 training program is being held at Commando Kennels in Kompally until September 8. It brings together K9 unit commanders, veterinary officers, senior law enforcement officials, and K9 handlers from across India. Participants from Andhra Pradesh Police, Telangana Octopus Police, Swami Vivekananda State Police Academy (West Bengal), and central armed police forces are taking part. This diversity enables inter-agency knowledge exchange and operational collaboration.
According to the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), more than 5,200 detection and tracking dogs are deployed with India’s State and Central Police Forces. K9 units now form a critical part of security and emergency response infrastructure nationwide. These working dogs are trained for explosive detection, narcotics detection, search and rescue, tracking, patrol, and other specialized operations.
Three Critical Dimensions
The Masterclass is organized by Commando Kennels in partnership with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), a national institution under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The training emphasizes three core aspects of K9 operations, command, veterinary care, and handling. It highlights that an effective K9 unit requires not only highly trained dogs but also skilled handlers, commanders, and veterinary support for optimal performance and canine welfare.
Col. B. S. Rao, Associate Professor at Rashtriya Raksha University, said the program provides a valuable national platform for K9 professionals. He further added, “K9 teams have become integral to modern security, law enforcement, and disaster response. The effectiveness of a K9 unit depends on both the training and capability of the dogs, as well as the expertise of handlers, commanders, and veterinary personnel. Structured training and inter-agency knowledge exchange are essential for developing professional, interoperable K9 capabilities across India,” he said.
In addition to its reputation for IT and pharmaceuticals, Hyderabad has emerged as a hub for advanced K9 training in law enforcement and security. Delegates from various states and security agencies are converging in the city, providing Hyderabad with a unique opportunity to host a cross-section of India’s K9 community.
Philip Butt, Dean of Rashtriya Raksha University Commando K9 Academy, emphasized the expanding role of K9s in India. Philip Butt said,“For nearly forty years, Commando Kennels has worked to develop professional K9 capabilities in India. Today, K9s are critical to national security, disaster response, detection, and specialized tactical operations. The RRU K9 Masterclass brings together leading K9 professionals from across the country, creating a national platform for operational learning, experience-sharing, and the adoption of contemporary best practices.”
The Masterclass will conclude with a graduation ceremony at 12 noon on September 8 at Commando Kennels, Kompally, recognizing five days of intensive training and the achievements of participating personnel. Organizers say the Masterclass is more than a training event, it is an initiative to strengthen the professional ecosystem supporting India’s K9 sector by bringing together expertise, experience, and institutions from across the country.
