Nevada’s Hero Hound: K9 Blady Crowned ‘Top Dog’ for Third Year Running

A Lyon County Sheriff’s Office K9 has officially entered the record books.

Blady, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois handled by Sergeant Matt Galvin, captured his third straight “Top Dog” championship at the annual Multi-Agency K9 Competition held October 11 at Carson City’s Fuji Park — a feat never before achieved in the event’s history.

More than 30 teams from across Northern Nevada competed, but none could match the precision, power, and partnership between Blady and Sergeant Galvin — a duo that has dominated the K9 circuit since 2023.

A Three-Year Championship Reign

Blady first burst onto the scene in 2023, winning the overall Top Dog title with commanding performances in agility and narcotics detection. He repeated the victory in 2024 and returned this year to defend his crown — making it three straight years of undisputed supremacy.

“This is the result of consistency and trust,” said a Lyon County spokesperson. “Sergeant Galvin and Blady have set the gold standard for Nevada’s K9 units.”

The competition attracted elite teams from multiple agencies — including Washoe, Douglas, and Storey County Sheriff’s Offices, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Capital Police, the Pyramid Lake Police Department, Airport Police, and even the U.S. Navy’s K9 Division.

Breaking Down the 2025 Competition

This year’s challenge tested K9s across four grueling categories designed to reflect real-world policing: narcotics detection, explosives detection, agility and obedience, and patrol apprehension.

Storey County’s K9 Luxx claimed first place in narcotics detection, while Capital Police’s K9 Honey topped the explosives category. The U.S. Navy’s K9 Tallahassee won agility, edging out Blady, who took a strong second. In the patrol apprehension scenario, Washoe County’s K9 Bodie once again dominated, with Blady taking third.

Blady’s combined results — top-three finishes in multiple disciplines — earned him enough points to secure the coveted Top Dog trophy for the third consecutive year.

Inside the Training Regimen

Behind every title lies countless hours of training. Nevada’s law enforcement K9 teams complete a 120-hour intensive certification program, followed by at least 16 to 20 hours of ongoing monthly training.

For Blady and Sergeant Galvin, those sessions are more than routine — they’re a lifestyle. The duo trains across Northern Nevada in donated business spaces, honing search, agility, and suspect-apprehension skills that translate seamlessly from the field to the competition arena.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office currently operates five active K9 units, each tasked with protecting communities across the region — a testament to the department’s commitment to maintaining one of the strongest K9 programs in the state.

A Celebration of Community and Skill

The Carson City K9 Challenge has evolved into one of Northern Nevada’s most popular law enforcement events, drawing hundreds of spectators each year.

This year’s event ran from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Fuji Park and featured live demos, food trucks, and merchandise sales benefiting the Carson City K9 Team. Families lined the sidelines to cheer on their favorite dogs as they leapt over barricades, located hidden substances, and tackled mock suspects with incredible precision.

“The community loves this event,” said Carson City Sergeant Nate Brehm. “It shows the discipline, teamwork, and heart these dogs and their handlers bring to every shift.”

Beyond the glory, competitions like this play a vital role in law enforcement development. They allow officers from different agencies to share techniques, compare tactics, and strengthen inter-agency cooperation.

They also serve as powerful community outreach tools, offering the public a firsthand look at the remarkable intelligence, courage, and versatility of police dogs.

Nevada’s Proud K9 Tradition

Nevada boasts one of the most active K9 competition circuits in the West. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department hosts its own celebrated K9 Trials every March at South Point Arena, drawing thousands of fans and teams from across the nation.

Even private organizations join the ranks. The International Casino & Resort Working Dog Association holds annual trials where resort and casino K9 units compete in explosives and narcotics detection. Wynn Las Vegas’ elite K9 team has won the explosives category six out of the last seven years — a record rivaling Blady’s own dominance.

The Bond Behind the Badges

For all their accolades, what truly defines Blady and Sergeant Galvin is their bond. Like most police dogs, Blady lives with his handler, becoming both a partner and a member of the family.

That constant companionship fosters the wordless communication needed during tense, split-second decisions — whether apprehending a suspect or clearing a building.

“It’s a relationship built on absolute trust,” said Sheriff Darin Balaam of Washoe County. “Wins like these don’t just happen — they’re earned through years of dedication.”

Team Success and Future Goals

While Blady earned individual honors, Storey County’s K9 Team took home the overall team award, led by K9 Luxx’s first-place narcotics finish and third-place agility result. Carson City’s own K9 Braum, meanwhile, impressed with a second-place showing in the patrol apprehension event.

As for Blady, all eyes now turn to 2026 — and the question of whether he can pull off an unprecedented fourth consecutive Top Dog title. At four years old, he’s in his prime, with several years of service ahead before retirement.

When that day eventually comes, Blady will retire with Sergeant Galvin, joining a proud line of Lyon County K9 veterans who have served with distinction.

Supporting Nevada’s Working Dogs

Nevada’s K9 programs rely heavily on public donations for training equipment, veterinary care, and protective gear. Groups such as Washoe County K9 Partners and the LVMPD Foundation accept contributions that go directly toward supporting these dogs and their handlers.

For those who missed the Carson City event, organizers have confirmed the K9 Challenge will return next fall — promising another day of thrills, teamwork, and tail wags in Northern Nevada.

Image Credit: Ted Wilson via Carson Now