Some of the best law enforcement canine teams from across Northern California will compete for the title of “Top Dog” at the 30th Annual Police Canine Trial, Saturday in Modesto.

Sponsored by the Modesto Police Canine Association and sanctioned by the Western States Police Canine Association, the competition tests the canines on obedience, agility, search, protection, and narcotic detection. The police service dogs and their handlers are evaluated on how well they are able to compete in each phase of the competition. At the end of the competition season, the scores of the canine teams are tallied up and ranked based on their overall rating.

This year the trial will be held at the Stanislaus Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy, beginning at 9 a.m. today. Admission into the event is free. The Modesto Police Canine Association will be selling drinks, ice cream and hotdogs and hamburgers. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and umbrellas, as the event will be held in the open grass field of the training center. The Stanislaus Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy is at 3805 Cornucopia Way in Modesto.