Lines of airplane passengers proceed through the TSA security checkpoint at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado. (Credit: Robert Alexander/Getty Images)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced its 2025 top canine of the year.
This announcement comes on National Dog Day, celebrated each year on August 26.
Steeler is top canine of the year
The TSA voted and named Steeler, a 2½-year-old Labrador retriever from Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), the 2025 top canine of the year.
According to the government agency, the explosives detection canine works alongside his handler, Mark Smith, at PIT providing explosives detection capabilities as part of TSA’s multilayered security approach.
Photo of Steeler (Credit: TSA)
Although Steeler has only been on the job for just over one year, the TSA said he keeps the traveling public safe through his sniffing abilities and "is already making a significant imprint on PIT."
Steeler and the rest of his litter were born on Super Bowl Sunday 2023 and all named after NFL teams.
What they're saying:
"Our explosives detection canines and their handlers play a critical role in protecting the nation’s transportation systems," said TSA’s acting deputy administrator Adam Stahl. "TSA’s annual Cutest Canine Contest gives us the opportunity to recognize their hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Steeler and thank you to the approximately 1,000 TSA canine teams who keep America and the traveling public safe."
What's next:
Steeler, who eked out a win by just a few hundred votes, will be featured on the front cover of the agency’s 2026 Canine Calendar, which is scheduled for release in December.
Later this year, TSA will announce details on how the public can download the free 2026 TSA Canine Calendar, which will feature 12 contestants from TSA’s 2025 Cutest Canine Contest. The 2025 Canine Calendar is available on the TSA website.
Steeler is TSA’s ‘cutest canine’
The backstory:
The government agency held a nationwide contest on social media where the public voted for the agency’s "cutest canine" from among four agency finalists, each representing a different region of the nation.
TSA canine handlers from airports across the country initially nominated 97 dogs before employees voted online and narrowed the field to the final four canines, all of whom deserve a round of a-paws.
Big picture view:
TSA employs canines like Steeler in its security operations nationwide. These explosives detection canine teams work through large groups of moving people to detect the source of an explosive’s odor. Canine teams train regularly, and handlers learn to read subtle changes in their canine’s behavior including when they detect the scent of an explosive. If a canine alerts its handler to the presence of an explosive’s odor, the handler follows an established procedure to resolve the alarm with minimal impact to the screening lane.
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The National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program began in 1972 under the Federal Aviation Administration as a partnership with state and local law enforcement. This partnership continues today. The program was transferred to TSA following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The Source: The information for this story was provided from a press release by TSA. This story was reported from Los Angeles.