A nine-year-old German shepherd named Xaro, an explosives-detection dog at St. Louis Lambert International Airport in Missouri, has advanced to the final four of the TSA’s Cutest Canine Contest.

After spending six years detecting explosives and helping keep travelers safe, Xaro is now competing in the semifinals against Bolt, a three-year-old canine from Dallas–Fort Worth.

Voting is underway through the TSA’s social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook and X, with semifinal voting ending Tuesday at 11 a.m. The final round will begin Wednesday at 11 a.m.

The TSA will announce the contest winner on Aug. 26, National Dog Day. With Xaro set to retire at the end of the year, the competition could be a memorable final chapter in his career. Supporters can vote to help bring the title home to St. Louis.

tsa.gov