{"id":208053,"date":"2026-03-27T08:49:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T08:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/208053\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T08:49:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T08:49:12","slug":"sweet-16-northeast-florida-agencies-compete-for-top-dog-title-in-states-k9-march-madness-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/208053\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Sweet 16’ | Northeast Florida agencies compete for Top Dog title in state’s K9 March Madness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Four K9s from across the First Coast have advanced to the “Sweet 16” of the tournament.<\/p>\n

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014 Keep your favorite furry friend free from elimination!<\/p>\n

The Florida Sheriff’s Association announced that round two<\/a>\u00a0of its K9 March Madness Tournament has officially opened, and at least four of the remaining “Sweet 16” are from Northeast Florida.<\/p>\n

“As Florida gears up for the big tournament on the court, it\u2019s time for YOU to decide who will be crowned the Top Dog in the Sunshine State,” the association says. “These aren’t just cute faces; they are heroes on four paws.”<\/p>\n

After the round one eliminations, the following K9’s\u00a0are still active<\/a>\u00a0in the tournament:<\/p>\n

K9 Maverick – Charlotte CountyK9 Harold – Clay CountyK9 Mako – Flagler CountyK9 Sadie – Dixie CountyK9 Pepperjack – Gulf CountyK9 Goose – Highlands CountyK9 Henry – Holmes CountyK9 Ruger – JacksonvilleK9 Remington – Lee CountyK9 Vern – Manatee CountyK9 Beau – Okaloosa CountyK9 Tigor – Polk CountyK9 Aries – Walton CountyK9 Scout* – St. Johns CountyK9 Ozi – Santa Rosa CountyK9 Rigby – Escambia County <\/p>\n

Voting is set to close on March 31 at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n


\nMeet the mutts <\/p>\n

K9 Ruger is golden in more ways than one. This boy is getting up there in years, now eight years old and approaching retirement this summer, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said. He currently specializes in finding missing people, but used to sniff out narcotics.<\/p>\n

K9 Scout* (yes, the asterisk is part of his name) is a German Wirehaired Pointer and is trained in sniffing out narcotics. He joined the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office’s Youth Resource Division in 2024 and works to keep schools and students safe.<\/p>\n

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says 6-year-old detention K-9 Harold plays a vital role on the team. When he’s not patrolling the human kennels, he likes to chomp on his favorite toys: a Kong or a tennis ball.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Next time you are walking along the Flagler Beach Boardwalk and see a fin poking out of the ocean, say hi to K-9 Mako! The sheriff’s office says that the nearly two-year-old is a dual-purpose pup, trained in both patrol and narcotics detection.<\/p>\n

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