National Police Dog Trials: Suffolk entrants tested but ‘take a lot’ from solid performance

19 June 2025

The 2025 national trials proved a ‘steep learning curve’ for Nick and Adam, with standards high across all 21 competing pairs.

In an event hosted in Birmingham by West Midlands Police, the duo were given a stern challenge through all three testing phases, which put searching, tracking, and agility and obedience under the microscope.

In their debut year at the national trials in 2024, experienced dog handler Nick and German Shepherd-Labrador crossbreed Adam finished 10th – again out of 21 entrants – only months after they had begun a working relationship in the Force.

PC Nick Lofthouse and Police Dog Adam.

“Like last year, it was a very enjoyable few days and an absolute honour to represent our dog unit and our force on the biggest stage of all for police dog trialling,” Nick said.

“It’s fair to say the complexity of the testing tasks was on another level this year, and that was something I could sense from the start, when we did our searching phase on day one.

“Adam usually excels at searches and amazingly came second overall in this phase last year, but we were up against it from the off, particularly with time constraints making it a real race against the clock to complete the objectives. Only one dog in the whole competition found the hidden person in a simulated crime scene.

“The next day, there was a lot of scrutiny on us with agility and obedience being held out in the open in Edgbaston Park, and the warm weather on the day brought a lot of spectators.

Positive note

“Considering this is usually our slightly weaker area out of the regular three, we didn’t do too badly and we went into our final phase really determined to end on a positive note.”

As the sun continued to shine in Birmingham, day three of the trials saw temperatures of up to 26 degrees Celsius for the assessment of Nick and Adam’s accomplished tracking skills.

This meant moisture in the ground had been drawn out to extremely low levels – making it harder for general-purpose police dogs like five-and-a-half-year-old Adam, who works on ground disturbance rather than scent. However, the pair performed well and were one of only two to get around the full track on this phase.

Nick added: “This rounded us out to the overall finish we achieved. I definitely felt deflated at times throughout the trials, but when you hear about other entrants struggling, it puts you back on a level playing field.

“I think the fact that there is some disappointment with finishing 15th tells you everything about the levels not just us, but our force in general has reached in the last few years.

“And that’s why at the same time, there is still a lot of pride and satisfaction, because over in our little corner of the country, we know our dogs really aren’t far away from the very best.”

Competition

Nick, 49, added he will ‘take a lot’ from the 63rd National Police Dog Trials as he looked ahead to future competition alongside his canine partner.

The 2026 nationals are set to be hosted by West Yorkshire Police, with local and regional qualifying starting up again later this year.

“To be involved in two nationals in a row has been amazing, and we never could have done it without the incredible support of our whole dog unit and everything that goes on within it to make us the best version of ourselves," Nick continued.

“The bug I have for competing certainly hasn’t gone away, and I would love to see us there for a third year – but maybe it’ll be someone else’s turn. We have an amazing set-up in our force and some great partnerships, so it really doesn’t have to be us.

“We are all trained so excellently by PC Rachel Bowers, who is actually about to retire. She will be a big miss to the unit, and I would like to thank her for all her dedication and commitment to us.”

As for his own retirement, Nick, an officer of 28 years, says he has a path already laid out.

Progress

“We are not winding down just yet, but when the time comes in a few years, Adam will retire with me,” he said.

“In the meantime, there is still lots for us to learn individually and as a duo, so we can build on our great progress in what has still only been less than two years together.

“I am still so proud of him – I’ve said it before that our success really is all down to him. He is a fantastic searching and tracking dog, both operationally and in trials, and a tougher nationals this time around doesn’t change that.

“More importantly, he is just a great animal in general, and I feel so lucky to have him by my side through it all.”

Suffolk Constabulary’s Operational Dog Sergeant James Thomas rounded off by saying: “We are exceptionally proud of Nick and Adam and the way that they have represented us through the trials process again this year.

“To come 15th overall is an amazing achievement and it is important to highlight that this is against all the dog teams across all the dog sections in the UK.

“Nick has worked really hard on training Adam, and this is coupled with being a busy operational police dog handler. He’s experienced, dedicated and a true example to other handlers.

“To have had Nick and Adam represent Norfolk and Suffolk in the National Police Dog Trials for two years running has been brilliant. We’ll be full of confidence if they find themselves again there next year, because we all know how high they set the bar.”

Diary

December 2025