We have seen them sleeping as tiny balls of fur, watched them taking their first steps and cooed as they have been put through their paces by trainers.

But now it’s time for West Midlands Police Force’s canine class of 2009 to leave the comfort of their kennels and face the world to find out which will make the grade.

The latest ‘Pup Idol’ video released by West Midlands Police follows the batch as they leave the dog training centre for the last time before stepping out into the real world.

The puppies have left their brothers and sisters behind and have been housed with “puppy walkers” in the region.

The process has been likened to the dog equivalent of X Factor, with only the fittest, fastest and feistiest standing a chance of making the grade. And just like in the hit TV show, the progress of these puppy contenders vying to become a fully-fledged West Midlands Police dog has been followed by the cameras every step of the way.

Police bosses have now created a new interactive website to allow their thousands of fans to keep up to date with their progress.

It has been designed following the success of the the previous videos, which were released on the force’s main website.

Chief inspector Mark Payne said: “We don’t know which of the puppies will actually make it as police dogs at this stage. People can watch their progress and make their own minds up about which ones will qualify to become operational police dogs.”