2025 green mountain iron dog
september 27, 2025
camp kiniya, colchester, vermont
click here for registration
Event details and schedule
Registration for the Green Mountain Iron Dog PRO will begin at 7:30 AM, with the run starting at 8:00. Iron Dog PRO is pre-registration only. Ages 14 and up. This is our timed competitive heat.
Iron Dog OPEN is our non-competitive heats, with registration beginning at 12:00. Ages 14 and up.
The Iron Dog Junior course is also an afternoon event. Ages 7-13. This year the Junior course will be the same as the main course, but Juniors will be required to have a partner over 18 to join them.
There will also be a timed 100 yard dash, suspect search house, and drug search house (Police only).
Registration for the Green Mountain Iron Dog PRO will begin at 7:30 AM, with the run starting at 8:00. Iron Dog PRO is pre-registration only. Ages 14 and up. This is our timed competitive heat.
Iron Dog OPEN is our non-competitive heats, with registration beginning at 12:00. Ages 14 and up.
The Iron Dog Junior course is also an afternoon event. Ages 7-13. This year the Junior course will be the same as the main course, but Juniors will be required to have a partner over 18 to join them.
There will also be a timed 100 yard dash, suspect search house, and drug search house (Police only).
About Green Mountain iron dog
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In 2000 a group of K9 handlers started the VT Police Canine Association. One of our founders, Ed Hunter, attended an event in NH and wanted to bring a similar challenge here, and so began the Green Mountain Iron Dog. After a few years at the VT Police Academy we brought the event to Colchester. In 2009 we were welcomed by Camp Dudley at Kiniya where we run our event still.
The Green Mountain Iron Dog was originally designed to simulate many of the challenges Police K9 handlers will experience on a real life deployment, and was initially open only to Police K9 handlers. As our course grew and became more popular we invited civilians to run on our course, and currently civilians are a bulk of our runners. We’ve also divided the runners into two groups. The Pro category encourages the competitive teams a chance to really run, and the Open is for those who are simply looking for a challenge for themselves and their dog to be able to do so in a less competitive environment. Same course, same rules, just less pressure. We also have other challenges to include a drug search and building search for Police and other trained teams, and a 100 yard dash for the dogs to compete without the handler slowing them down. We just completed our 20th annual run and are looking forward to many more. |
FAQs
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Where is it located?
Camp Dudley at Kinya 1317 Camp Kiniya Rd Colchester, VT 05446 What should I bring? A change of clothes, water, appropriate outdoor gear, and a winning attitude!!! Can I stay onsite? There are limited accommodations on site that are reserved for Police K9 teams. If you would like to stay overnight, please look for a hotel in the Colchester area. Can I run more than once? Yes you can, however you will pay a reduced 2nd registration fee. This fee helps offset the cost you running a second time. It does not include another t-shirt. I’d like to volunteer, how can I do so? To sign up as an Iron Dog Volunteer, Click Here! Can anyone participate? Yes! For those more competitive people you can participate in the Pro event and compete against other teams in your age group. For those of you who want to have a nice jog on the beach with your dog and go at a more leisurely pace we recommend the Open bracket. What can I expect? The Iron Dog course is designed to simulate situations that Police K9 teams encounter while working on the street. It is roughly a 1.5-2.0 mile course that includes obstacles, jumps, tunnels, running in water, and other obstacles associated with an outdoor agility course. The even occurs rain or shine. |
Team
Dave Dewey
Course DirectorI’ve wanted to be a K9 handler since I was a child, and have been working Police K9’s since 1999. In 2000 we started the VT Police Canine Association, and I was lucky enough to serve as President for many years. That same year one of our members began the Green Mountain Iron Dog. A few years later I was in the position to bring the Iron Dog to Chittenden County to increase visibility and participation. I’ve been lucky enough to work with a great team of handlers, family, and friends to continue the Green Mountain Iron Dog.
Wade Labrecque
Event Director
Cole Hayes
Technology Director
I have worked in Law Enforcement as an Emergency Communications Specialist for about 5 years, and am currently working for the Burlington Police Department as an IT Administrator. My passion for Police K9’s grew during my time as a Dispatcher, so much that I became involved with assisting however I could with the training of some Police K9 teams. I have been able to put some of the training tips that I have learned assisting, to the test with my own Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepherd, Avery. I have been involved with Iron Dog since 2015, and over the years I have taken on more roles within Iron Dog, most recently bringing our Tech side of the event up a couple notches.
Jason Porter
Food/Donation Coordinator
I have always wanted to be a Police Officer as far as I can remember and have always wanted to be a K9 Handler. In 2013 I researched, presented, and successfully started Milton, VT K9 Program. K9 Hatchi and I were a dual certified patrol/narcotics team since 2013 and Hatchi retired in 2019. I have been involved with Iron Dog since 2013 and have overseen food and donations since 2015. My goal has been to increase our donations so we can have more money to support our K9 teams through out the state. This includes equipment, bringing top notch trainers to us, and sending teams out of state for training.
Sarah Keller
Volunteer Coordinator
Mark Redmond
Course DirectorI’ve wanted to be a K9 handler since I was a child, and have been working Police K9’s since 1999. In 2000 we started the VT Police Canine Association, and I was lucky enough to serve as President for many years. That same year one of our members began the Green Mountain Iron Dog. A few years later I was in the position to bring the Iron Dog to Chittenden County to increase visibility and participation. I’ve been lucky enough to work with a great team of handlers, family, and friends to continue the Green Mountain Iron Dog.
Wade Labrecque
Event Director
Cole Hayes
Technology Director
I have worked in Law Enforcement as an Emergency Communications Specialist for about 5 years, and am currently working for the Burlington Police Department as an IT Administrator. My passion for Police K9’s grew during my time as a Dispatcher, so much that I became involved with assisting however I could with the training of some Police K9 teams. I have been able to put some of the training tips that I have learned assisting, to the test with my own Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepherd, Avery. I have been involved with Iron Dog since 2015, and over the years I have taken on more roles within Iron Dog, most recently bringing our Tech side of the event up a couple notches.
Jason Porter
Food/Donation Coordinator
I have always wanted to be a Police Officer as far as I can remember and have always wanted to be a K9 Handler. In 2013 I researched, presented, and successfully started Milton, VT K9 Program. K9 Hatchi and I were a dual certified patrol/narcotics team since 2013 and Hatchi retired in 2019. I have been involved with Iron Dog since 2013 and have overseen food and donations since 2015. My goal has been to increase our donations so we can have more money to support our K9 teams through out the state. This includes equipment, bringing top notch trainers to us, and sending teams out of state for training.
Sarah Keller
Volunteer Coordinator
Mark Redmond