Our Story

In 2000 a group of K9 handlers started the VT Police Canine Association. One of our founders, Ed Hunter, attended an event in NH and wanted to bring a similar challenge here, and so began the Green Mountain Iron Dog. After a few years at the VT Police Academy we brought the event to Colchester. In 2009 we were welcomed by Camp Dudley at Kiniya where we run our event still.

The Green Mountain Iron Dog was originally designed to simulate many of the challenges Police K9 handlers will experience on a real life deployment, and was initially open only to Police K9 handlers. As our course grew and became more popular we invited civilians to run on our course, and currently civilians are a bulk of our runners. We’ve also divided the runners into two groups. The Pro category encourages the competitive teams a chance to really run, and the Open is for those who are simply looking for a challenge for themselves and their dog to be able to do so in a less competitive environment. Same course, same rules, just less pressure.   

We also have other challenges to include a drug search and building search for Police and other trained teams, and a 100 yard dash for the dogs to compete without the handler slowing them down.   

We just completed our 20th annual run and are looking forward to many more.