Four working dogs from four major airports reached the semifinals of the Transportation Security Administration’s annual Cutest Canine Contest. Now, the public has decided which of the four pups is the cutest. The winner was announced on Aug. 26, National Dog Day.
The finalists were Bolt from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Xaro from St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Epic from Pittsburgh International Airport and Ember from Orlando International Airport.
TSA divided the dogs into two semifinal matchups held on Aug. 17 and 18. The winners advanced to a final online vote that ran for 24 hours beginning at noon EDT on Aug. 19.
The three-year-old German shorthaired pointer, Bolt, was announced as the winner of the Cutest Canine Contest for 2026.
Four airports supplied the semifinalists
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Bolt is described as intensely focused at work and perpetually interested in his squeaky ball. Xaro is a 9-year-old German shepherd with six years of service in St. Louis. He is expected to retire by the end of 2026 and favors naps in the sun when he is off duty.
Epic and Ember are both 4-year-old Labrador retrievers. Epic has worked in Pittsburgh for approximately two years and enjoys chicken jerky. Ember loves steak pieces and a squeaky bone.
“Congratulations to this year’s Cutest Canine Contest winner, Bolt, and thank you to the many explosives detection canine teams across the country who help protect America’s transportation systems,” said TSA Administrator David P. Cummins, according to TSA. “This recognition is a fun way to celebrate the extraordinary work of our canine teams and the strong bond between each canine and handler. Explosives detection canine teams are one of TSA’s most effective and visible layers of security. These highly trained dogs and their handlers help detect threats in dynamic transportation environments, deter potential attacks and give travelers confidence that TSA is using proven, adaptable capabilities to protect the traveling public.”
The contestants have more serious daily assignments
All four dogs are trained to detect the scent of explosives or explosive materials in busy transportation environments. They work alongside handlers to screen travelers and help protect airports.
TSA operates more than 1,000 canine teams nationwide. The dogs can be deployed throughout aviation, passenger rail, mass transit and maritime transportation systems. Canines selected for passenger-screening work complete a 16-week training program at the TSA Canine Training Center in San Antonio.
Last year’s winner, Steeler from Pittsburgh International Airport, appeared on the cover of TSA’s free 2026 canine calendar.