Police dogs instantly command respect. While they are generally sociable and affectionate animals, they are also highly intelligent, with great physical endurance, power, and strength.
Dogs have been used to as K-9 officers to help law enforcement for over 130 years. Bloodhounds were the first unofficial police dogs. Employed in 1888, they were chosen because of their exceptional sense of smell, tracking and hunting abilities.
Since then, a growing number of breeds are being trained to help police with jobs ranging from sniffing out bombs, firearms, and narcotics, to finding missing persons, guarding property, protecting their handlers and civilians, and of course, bringing down criminals.
So, which breeds make the best K-9 officers? We’ve picked out the best dog breeds for police work. And they are standing to attention, ready for your inspection.
Dogs were first actively used for police work by the British and the German. Police forces in those countries researched, bred, and trained special breeds of dog specifically for tasks related to tracking down the bad guys.
Structured police dog training took off at the beginning of the 20th Century and has been growing and becoming more sophisticated ever since.
Police dog breeds are no longer restricted to the large, muscular breeds such as the Shepherds, Dobermans, and Boxers. On our list you will find breeds like the Briard, Labrador Retriever and Giant Schnauzer that are now trained for police work and valued for their intelligence, loyalty, commitment to the task and bravery.
Did you know that in many countries, a K-9 police dog is considered an official police officer?
After completing their training, they must take an oath the same way as any human police officer does. They have a duty statement and a list of jobs and responsibilities to deliver. And they are protected under the law, with individuals who mistreat a K-9 dog facing fines and long jail times.
Before they enter a training program, pups are assessed to see whether they have the innate qualities needed to succeed as a police dog. The main characteristics that trainers look for is a natural interest and curiosity in exercise and play.
Police dogs must be easy to train, disciplined, obedient and extremely alert. And a strong hunting instinct is fundamental for any police dog.
Their natural attributes and specialist training set them apart from ordinary pets, but police dogs and police dog breeds can also be valuable companions and members of your family.
When you bring home a pup from one of the breeds on our list, you know you will have an intelligent, loyal, and brave companion for life.