DNR Enforcement K9 'Schody' Retires After 10 Years

MINNESOTA — K9 Schody, a German shepherd who has been in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ K9 unit for 10 years, official retired Dec. 31. Schody came to the DNR "with an abundance of energy but no training," but became a "stalwart" of the department's K9 unit.

Schody's tasks included catching people breaking game and fishing laws, rescuing people lost in the woods, and finding evidence for cases. He partnered with conservation officer Scott Staples.

“Schody is very fortunate to go to 10 years – he really is – but he’s starting to suffer from a disease right now and it’s time for him to retire and just be a house dog, although he hates it probably just as much as I do,” said Staples in a news release.

"I spend more time with that dog than I do with my own family. He comes to work with me every day – my family doesn’t – and when I’m at home with my family, he’s at home with us as well. When you do that for the whole life of the dog, the bond is pretty strong."

DNR K9 unit facts

• Staples and Schody are one of the DNR’s six K9 teams
• Schody came from eastern Europe, which has a strong reputation for breeding working dogs
• All of the DNR dogs receive ongoing training.
• The dogs can track people, sniff out fish and game and locate firearms or spent ammunition.
• Three of the DNR dogs also are trained to smell zebra mussels.