NEW DELHI: If there’s one thing Babu loves more than a pat and a bone, it’s a chance to sniff out something. Two years running, he’s left rivals at All India Police Sports Competitions in the dust. Sniffing seems to be a family specialty because his sister, Babe, finished third at the same games last November among more than 40 competitors.As the four-year-old fawn yellow Labrador siblings posed with their medals at Delhi Police’s Model Town dog pound on Wednesday, it was apparent that they have very different personalities. He’s a show-off, she’s shy. He’s hungry for praise, she’s content to do her job quietly.Few dogs have what it takes to become a tracker, but both Babu and Babe can track down suspects from their scent trail hours after a crime, say their handlers. They were bred in Punjab and handpicked by the Army’s Remount and Veterinary unit in Meerut for training. They’ve been with Delhi Police’s K9 unit since 2017, and though they are stars now the same rigorous training continues.“We have been encouraging their handlers to train them for competitions. These dogs have a very good pedigree and are an asset for Delhi Police ,” said Madhur Verma, DCP, PRO.To see them train, you have to visit the Model Town pound where they are taught to work in different conditions. Babu trots around, sniffing in every corner even when his handler is not around. He’s a bundle of energy and jumps over obstacles without being asked to. It’s one of the traits that endear him to judges at national-level competitions. He may be frisky but Babu knows when to keep his mouth shut. “Labradors can suppress their excitement after completing a task while other breeds tend to bark. This ability helps them to work stealthily,” said his handler HC Pawan Kumar.Food is a Labrador’s weakness and learning to ignore it is part of the training of Babu and Babe, Delhi Police’s star sibling tracker dogs “Dogs, especially Labradors, are fond of food. So, at times we keep food near the target and teach them to ignore it,” said head constable Nagendra Prasad , who handles Babe.The goodies become a complete no-no before a competition, when they are put on a strict vet-prescribed diet to look their best. They also undergo regular medical checks in the run-up. Babu had caught a stomach bug before the November championship but it did not dull his spirit, said Pawan.Babu’s a complete people’s dog, said HC Vishal, another handler at the pound. “He wants ‘sabashi’ after every task. If he doesn’t get it, he will nuzzle at anyone who’s nearby till he’s praised,” said Vishal. Not that he doesn’t deserve any of the pats he gets.

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