The world of a police dog is one of extreme discipline, years of training and above all a life of hard work. So you can imagine how hard it must be for a dog to choose the job itself. The responsibilities are huge, and training takes its toll on both man and dog alike.
In order to be accepted into any Police Force in the UK, dogs have to go through incredibly vigorous testing in tracking, obedience and agility. And then they have to go through even more rigid training at their force before they are allowed out onto the streets.
But once they are out there isn’t much time to slack off — they’ll probably be racking up thousands of hours before they retire at around eight or nine years old. But luckily there are some breeds that thrive under pressure, have the intelligence and agility to handle the requirements of training, and who also make better (although high maintenance) pets.
If you’ve ever asked yourself the question, “what dog breeds make the best police dogs?” you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to share with you the ultimate list of dog breeds that work great in law enforcement.
German Shepherds
Police dogs are the best friends a policeman can have. They are trained to do all manner of jobs including sniffing out illicit substances, tracking down criminals, and subduing attackers. These dogs also act as emotional support animals and they can turn on recordings with their paws when they detect illegal activity.
German Shepherds are excellent dogs. At one point German Shepherds had a job as military dogs that search for binoculars. But its uses don’t end at the police force or military. It does have some history with search and rescue, but it also found its way in therapy, even drug detection. Try not to get a little excited every time you see a german shepherd run around to its handler.
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a breed of dog developed around the turn of the 20th century in Belgium. It was first used as a livestock dog, but during World War I it was used as a military detection dog and courier. After the war, it became popular as a police dog.
This is a very intelligent canine and can easily solve different kinds of problems and take part in the game. This breed of dog was used for fighting in the battlefield and guarding property. This breed is also used for police work, search and rescue, therapy work and competitive work. According to AKC standard the color of Belgian Malinois can be black with tans or dark brown with pale tan markings over entire body except for chest which may be lighter.
Bloodhound
The bloodhound is the oldest of the scent hound group and was initially bred to hunt by scent, this means your dog will have a keen sense of smell. The Bloodhound is one of the best when it comes to locating missing persons or criminals while he has also been used effectively to locate injured or deceased in life threatening situations.
Rottweiler
Rottweiler police dogs are trained to assist police units in a variety of ways including tracking, scouting for suspects and carrying out controlled take-downs. These dogs are highly intelligent, extremely powerful and known for their unwavering temperament. They have been used by both the US military and law enforcement agencies since the 1950s to assist in drug enforcement, apprehension of dangerous suspects and search & rescue missions.
Labrador Retriever
We all know the saying – you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But did you know Labrador Retrievers are being used as police dogs in parts of Europe? Labradors have been trained to detect illegal substances and even search for bombs and other explosives! So how do they do it? And why did these dogs become popular among many European police forces?
Labradors made their name first in the United Kingdom where they are used to sniff out drugs and cash. They are easy-going, friendly, and enjoy being around humans. This is what makes them so well suited for sniffing out contraband. Europe has a more widely spread drug addiction problem (for example, with heroin use), so it’s not too much of a surprise that Labradors are becoming increasingly important in the fight against narcotics.
Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher has been described to be a “pack animal exhibiting the traits of loyalty and guardianship.” They will work in a team, which means that being trained for police work is not hard for these dogs. But before you start thinking about Dobermans as getting along with other dogs and being social animals, it would be good to know that they are aloof with other canines most of the time. It is not common to see them to living in close proximity or playing together with other dogs.
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German shorthaired pointer (also known as GSP) is a versatile bird and game hunting dog. Typically, it has a solid, muscular body that is fairly long in proportion to its height. Its build, as well as its character, are very similar to the English Pointer. The dog’s coat has three varieties: rough, which is weather resistant; smooth, which is preferred for show dogs; and partridge-colored (or “light”), which lacks the darker saddle and lower leg. The GSP’s dense coat develops early on in the puppy stage.
German Shorthaired Pointer Police Dogs, GSP, or sometimes called German Pointers are excellent at: Narcotics Detection, Tracking and Trailing. Used by many departments around the United States.
American Pit Bull Terrier
One of the most common breeds used by police officers around the world is one that comes in two sizes: large and extra large. Known as the American Pit Bull Terrier, this breed has a number of benefits that make it an ideal choice for law enforcement officials. Not only does this dog breed have a high level of stamina and agility, but it also has a good amount of intelligence. These three qualities come together to make a top quality police dog.
Giant Schanuzer
Schanuzer is a giant dog breed, specifically Schanuzer which originated in Germany. These are known to be great guard dog and can weigh up to 150 pounds. Although these dogs have a great appearance, you have to take good care of them.
When police officers needed a dog that was large, and powerful but also had a friendly personality so that it could work with the public, they introduced the Giant Schnauzer. The giant schnauzer was the perfect dog for public situations because they’re friendly to strangers and are even lovely with kids. Due to this gentleness and good behavior around children, Giant Schnauzer became famous on TV as a character who interacted with children.
Coonhound
The Coonhound Police Dog has a keen sense of smell, which is why it’s the perfect police dog for tracking down criminals that have been up to no good. Its keen sense of smell and tenacity are what make it a great canine officer.
Boxer Dog
Boxers have a variety of qualities, including loyalty to their owners. As a result, many police departments across the United States are now using Boxer Dogs as K9 officers. This is due to the strength and agility of this breed which makes them great at intimidating criminals and keeping officers safe.
Bouvier des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres is a large dog breed, believed to date back to the Middle Ages. Their original purpose was as a herding dog, thus they were bred to drive cattle and guard sheep. However, due to their gentleness and other great qualities, the Bouvier has since been used for many other purposes such as a police dog. This dog breed was designed for heavy labor and for their endurance.
The Bouvier des Flandres is a giant dog, as much at home in the city as it is in the forest. One of Belgium’s national symbols, the Bouvier is strong, courageous and stoic.
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier is a breed of dog. The breed was originated by stockmen in the English county of Dales in the 18th century. They were developed by breeding farm terriers (a rough-coated working dog) with small rough-coated black dogs from the north of England, believed to be a mix of local black terriers and the extinct Black and Tan Terrier. They have a very keen sense of smell that is an advantage for bomb sniffing, missing people and drug detection.
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is one of the oldest breeds in Italy and it’s also known as the “Italian Mastiff. It was bred to hunt down wild boars and protect against bandits. The Cane Corso’s thick coat protects against abrasions and is highly effective for protection against heat, cold and prickly plants.
