When it comes to having dogs in your life, one of the most important factors stems from their personality. Some dogs are suited to relaxing at home and just enjoying a nice, sedate quality of life. Others are made for working, or for running. Some breeds, though, are designed to lay down the law and deliver some proper law enforcement. What, though, are some of the most popular police dog breeds?
There are many choices you might look to when it comes to bringing a dog into your life. Police-bred canines, though, are very specific. They are not going to be a breed that hangs around the house. Nor are they going to be passive dogs that fail to take action as and when they need to. For that reason, you might want to take a closer look at the most popular police dog breeds.
If you happen to spend lots of time relaxing at home, then you might want to avoid some of the following dog breeds. If you are happy to be out and about and enjoying life, though, you might find some of the following breeds make excellent protectors for your home.
Why are dogs used in police work?
Some people, especially animal lovers, can find it odd – even horrible – that dogs are used in such settings. Dogs, though, can be trained to be highly effective members of law enforcement units. They can be ideal for sniffing things out, like drugs, weapons, or explosives. They can be used to help keep people in check during tense moments, and they can support police officers who find themselves in tough and/or dangerous situations.
The idea of using a dog to help is quite common in the world of law enforcement. Many dogs are used to help people get out of tough spots or to find people who have gone missing. Other reasons for using a police dog might include, but are not limited to, their ability to act quickly and sense danger. They can help to alert officers to potential risks, and they can jump in and provide an extra body when officers come under threat.
They can also use their general intelligence and tracking to find people, get to missing individuals, and follow scents closely. All of these factors ensure that some dogs can be used in law enforcement. Who, though, are the most popular breeds for this particular job?
The most popular police dog breeds
Labrador Retriever
First on our list might come as a surprise – the humble Labrador Retriever. These adorable dogs might be perfect family pets, but they can help out the boys in blue as well. They are not aggressive dogs, but they are good for those who want a friendly companion during their searches. Ideal for finding people and for helping out with smaller activities, they also have high initiative and, with the right training, can take the right action when needed.
They are intelligent dogs that are easily trained, making them great companions for police dealing with younger individuals.
Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier is an increasingly common police dog. They are noted for being excellent for detecting things and they are also very strong. This makes them a good backup for police officers who might be working in rough or potentially dangerous areas.
They also tend to take on new information and can be quick to pick up important facts about whatever it is they are tasked with doing. Great dogs for those who want a police dog that can provide extra physical support without having to worry about them being aggressive or temperamental with suspects.
Belgian Malinois
This particular breed of dog is regarded as among the best for police work. They are versatile and have a long history of serving in the police and also as part of K9 operations. They tend to be jack-of-all-trade police dogs. They can assist in everything from sniffing out contraband and threats to being used to help protect and back-up police officers.
They are strong, agile, and capable of undertaking more serious training.
Boxer
The Boxer is increasingly popular for those looking at police dog breeds. They were not historically used in this role, but Boxer dogs are now very commonly seen with law enforcement. They are known for being very affable with suspects and will listen to the requests and commands of their owner/partner. This obedience makes them excellent companions for most.
They are excellent guard dogs and are typically used to help protect either police premises, keep an eye on a crime scene, or act as a deterrent to various places of interest that police might be investigating or dealing with.
Rottweiler
An obvious addition to this list, Rottweilers are commonly used as police dog breeds. They are used in search and rescue operations a lot and make tremendous guard dogs. They tend to be very good at taking in instruction and then responding in kind. Devoted to their owner, a Rottweiler will be happy to get to work in any way they can help out.
However, their power makes them less agile than other breeds and this can have a negative impact on their ability to help out in some situations. As guard dogs and powerhouses, though, are potentially unrivaled.
German Pointer
The German Pointer is a common choice of dog for those who are looking for a police dog breed that can help out in patrols. They are fast and good at tracking, and thus can be an excellent choice for general day-to-day beat police. If someone makes a run for it, they’d need to be very fast to outrun a Pointer!
These dogs are general-purpose police dogs and can be used to help build a strong relationship between the dog and handler. Excellent partners who are loyal, intelligent, and committed to helping out where they can.
Bloodhound
The Bloodhound has grown in popularity as a police dog breed due to their immense ability to smell. Their sense of smell is a leader even among dog breeds, making them tremendous for finding missing people, missing items, or dangerous contraband. This makes them a good choice for police units that need dogs who can sniff out potential dangers and threats.
It is common to see Bloodhounds used in missing person searches, as they have the quality of scent to make sure they can easily follow the smell for as long is realistically possible. Excellent for tracking and finding just about anything.
Doberman
While not as common as it used to be, the use of the Doberman in law enforcement has become a staple. They are regarded as powerful and intimidating dogs, making them good back-ups for officers going into tense situations. They are able to assist in controlling riots and providing excellent support.
Their lack of an overcoat means they are sensitive to temperature, though, meaning that Doberman police dogs tend to do their best work during the warmer, dryer summertime. Their threatening look and powerful nature, though, paired with tremendous discipline, make them an ideal law enforcement ally.
Bouvier des Flandres
While you might not expect this dog to be part of law enforcement as they look so cute, they are very much ideal for police work. They are commonly used for personal protection for officers who are heading off on a rather challenging or dangerous assignment alone.
They are rational and intelligent dogs who rarely make the wrong decision. They look fluffy but they are strong and engaging physically and can easily keep up with the demands of the job. They are usually used for day-to-day field work, and for supporting officers when human support is not available.
German Shepherd
What list of police dog breeds would be complete without the original? These are the go-to for law enforcement work for dogs. They are versatile, intelligent, powerful, athletic, and more than capable. They make good all-around allies for a police officer and can chase criminals, offer physical support, and help out in search and rescue.
Their intelligence, though, means that most German Shepherd will be more than capable of keeping people at ease. They know when to react and when to toughen up, making them excellent to have around officers who might be going into a tense, tight situation. They make some of the best police and military dog breeds in the world and have been used in the field for decades.
Which police dog breeds do you like most?
There are many breeds used in the art of law enforcement, as is noted above. What breeds do you find the most exciting to be around, though? Which would you consider owning if you were going to go down the route of getting a dog that has a history of being used in law enforcement?
The above police dog breeds are highly regarded, revered even, for their nature and their temperament. Allied to their athleticism and their ability to sniff out danger, they are very popular with good reason. What breed do you think is the coolest?