PSD TIP Regimental # B171

Described as a “different kind of dog” for more than one reason, PSD “Tip” was a light brown German Shepherd with less black than his same breed counterparts. Initially trained by Cpl. Gordon Teeft under the damp conditions of Nova Scotia, he was naturally ill prepared for the dry Prairies early on in his career.

In September 1955 at the age of two and a half, PSD “Tip” was picked up from the Sydney Training Kennels by Constable Kenn Barker. Brought from the coast to serve in Saskatchewan, his training was augmented to adapt to the dry prairie conditions before being sent out into the field. Touted as one of the top dog masters in the RCMP, Constable Barker was not be deterred by the hyper and headstrong “Tip.” Not as accomplished a tracker as Barker’s last dog, “Tip” was better at the chase and guarding but was easily deterred on free searches by any wild game that happened by.

It is noted to have been said that the dog was only as obedient as Barker’s own arm, he always endeavoured to utilize his dog to the very best of its individual abilities. As a team, Constable Barker and PSD “Tip” went on to achieve notable success. On one such case tracking two men a considerable distance to assist in an apprehension. Later in that same investigation, PSD “Tip” was brought back to the location and successfully retrieved a cache of items. A Superintendent at the time stated: “If a dog saves one life…and he does nothing else, he has more than paid for himself, because how can you put a price on human life?”

PSD “Tip’s career as an RCMP service dog wasn’t as long as some but is deserving of a place in the Force’s history for his contribution to the safety of officers and the public. By the mid 1950s, cases across Canada exceeded 1000 per year and over a third of those were assisted by Police Service Dogs like “Tip” at a time when there were just a handful of teams across the country. When he was retired from the RCMP, he went on to work security for a Canadian company where he was well suited.

Written by Kate Kading with information supplied by the estate of W.K. Barker

October 2022