Security dog at Minneapolis-St. Paul airport emerges as a finalist in TSA's Cutest Canine contest

A dog based at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has emerged as one of two finalists for the Transportation Security Administration's Cutest Canine contest.

Eebbers, an 11-year-old Vizsla/Labrador mix who works at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with his handler/human, Jeannie, recently edged out two other pups in voting last week.

Now, Eebbers is facing off against Tom-Magnum, a German shorthaired pointer who works at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

The public is invited to vote in the final round Wednesday for their favorite dog on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) social media platforms on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

The winner will be announced on Aug. 26, which is also National Dog Day.

Eebbers, who has been working at the airport since 2015, is the oldest dog currently working in TSA's canine program. He's slated to retire this summer.

He loves playing with squeaky toys, eating apples, going for swims in Minnesota's lakes and helping keep people safe at the airport, according to TSA. Throughout his career, he has assisted with security for two Super Bowls, the Special Olympics World Games, an NCAA National Championship football game and the Indianapolis 500.

TSA says canines such as Eebbers are trained to detect the scent of explosives or explosive materials using their keen sense of smell in busy transportation environments. Canines are also trained to work in mass transit, commuter rail and maritime settings.

TSA has more than 1,000 explosives-detection canine teams deployed nationwide.