Everything’s cuter down in Texas.
A Texas TSA bomb-sniffing canine was declared the agency’s 2026 “Cutest Canine,” capturing the hearts of thousands as his goofy photos and bouncing energy quickly went viral.
Bolt, a 3-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer who protects travelers at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), was awarded the honor as he beat out 84 other hard-working pooches, the agency announced Wednesday.
The furry bundle of energy was featured bouncing around the terminal, leaping feet into the air, and gnawing on a tennis ball before laying down and being paid in belly rubs, according to video shared by the TSA to the tune of late country icon Dolly Parton’s hit song “9 to 5.”
“I am ecstatic for Bolt,” handler Daphne Wang said. “He is such a character and a hard-working little guy. He absolutely loves his job and coming to work.
Bolt posed for several photos that spread rapidly across the internet.
Bolt flashed a wide-eyed pose, a goofy over-the-shoulder shot and even showed off his teeth as he smiled for the camera, which caught more than the bad guys off guard.
“This picture really takes me out,” Fox 5 Atlanta reporter Alex Whittler said on air Thursday.
Whittler attempted to compose herself as she read Bolt’s bio but broke into a fit of giggles alongside meteorologist Marquise Meda as they saw the toothy photo.
“Oh my gosh this is not happening,” Whittler said through her laughs. “This is a real tear that I just leaked out.”
The anchor, unable to complete the segment, turned to Meda to close out the show.
“Please just do the final weather,” Whittler said as she wiped tears from her face.
Bolt became the third shorthaired pointer to win the award in the last four years and took the title from 2025 winner, a Labrador retriever at Pittsburgh International Airport aptly named Steeler.
This year’s other three finalists were Ember, a Labrador retriever at Orlando International; Epic another Labrador retriever who works alongside Steeler in Pittsburgh; and Xaro, a German shepherd from St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
“I am so happy he gets to show the world his quirky personality. It’s definitely an adventure working with Bolt every day,” Wang said. “There is nothing ordinary about him. He works hard and plays even harder. He is always in working mode, even at home. He is never short on energy and is always 1,000% excited to go to work.”
Social media users also became enamored with Bolt, asking the really important questions about DFW sniffer.
“I need to pet hims… How do I arrange a pets sesh?” one commenter asked despite Bolt wearing a vest that told travelers not to pet him.
“If I bring drugs to the airport can I meet Bolt?” another quipped.
“Employee of the year alert,” the American Kennel Club said.
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