At this year’s Club World Cup, it wasn’t just the players and fans battling the intense summer heat — even the sniffer dogs on security duty had to adapt.
With temperatures soaring in cities like Philadelphia, the K-9 teams patrolling Lincoln Financial Field were equipped with colorful protective booties to shield their paws from scorching hot pavement.
Sniffer dogs are a regular part of security at major sporting events, trained to detect explosives, contraband, and even track missing persons. But their job can get dangerous in extreme weather — especially when walking on hot asphalt.
Cody Schwartz, manager of 3DK9 Detection Services, the company providing the K-9 teams at the stadium, explained: “We follow the seven-second rule — if a person can’t hold their hand or sit on the concrete for more than seven seconds, it’s too hot for a dog’s paws. That’s when booties go on.”
3DK9 also works with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and ensures all dogs are kept hydrated and on short patrol shifts — usually about 20 minutes at a time. After their rounds, the dogs cool off in kiddie pools filled with ice.
“When we’re hot, they’re even hotter,” Schwartz said. “They’ve got that thick fur coat. Our dogs are our top priority — we can’t do our jobs without them.”
The ongoing heat has posed challenges across the tournament, which features 32 teams competing in cities throughout the U.S. Some teams have reduced training, moved substitutes indoors, and taken hydration breaks during matches.
Though the dogs’ booties caught the attention of amused onlookers, it’s not a new practice. K-9 units in colder climates like Portland, Maine, use similar footwear in winter to protect against ice, sand, and road salt.
Whether in summer or winter, at airports or stadiums, sniffer dogs remain a vital part of public safety — and now, they’re doing it in style.Tools
