15 Police Dog Breeds Facts & Information

While it is a fact that dogs deserve all the world’s love and cuddles at all times, dogs on their own are bred for purposes that are wildly different from such and may simply not all prefer simply that. Some dogs are bred to either be workers, herders, or all of these types along with some bred to simply be guardian or companion dogs.

In simple terms, law enforcement agencies often are seen utilizing dog breeds simply because of this very fact. Due to how resilient dogs can be when working at their full capacities, it necessitates usage for the greater good of society as a whole. Some of the works of a K-9 unit can include detecting bombs, sniffing out narcotics or simply apprehending people who are trying to evade the law or simply for tracking down lost people.

This article will be dealing with such top 15 police dog breeds that are highly effective at their work and are extremely capable of being able to track down lost objects. Tackle people who are trying to run away along with being able to smell out foreign objects.

Top 15 Police Dog Breeds

Police dog breeds are normally known to be chosen for their exceptional capabilities which may range from having great olfactory senses to fast running speed. They may also be chosen for being slightly brutal when at work:

1. Belgian Malinois

Breed Overview:

• Group: Herding
• Height: 22-26 inches
• Weight: 40-80 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short smooth coat. Colors include Fawn Sable, Fawn, Red Sable, etc.
• Life Span: 14-16 years
• Origin: Belgium, Malines

Frequently used by the police for purposes of sniffing out foreign elements which may include: Bombs, narcotics, etc. While these dogs may have been bred for herding, they are great runners and can chase down a running suspect and bring them back.

These dogs are most often seen being utilized by the police at either airport or for apprehending certain people who are far too violent or trying to run away.

2. Boxer

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 21.5-25 inches
• Weight: 65-80 pounds, females might be less
• Coat and Color: Smooth and short coat. The colors are Brindle, Fawn
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: Germany

While not as utilized in other countries like the United States, the Boxer dog breeds are some of the most intelligent and resilient dog breeds that are frequently used in Germany by its law forces as K-9 units for typical purposes such as taking on suspects who may resist arrest.

These dogs now are generally more used for patrolling purposes along with being sent for missions related to finding out narcotics.

3. Bloodhound

Breed Overview:

• Group: Hound
• Height: 23-27 inches
• Weight: 80-110 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth short-length coat. Colors include Liver & Tan,  Red, Black & Tan,
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: Belgium, United Kingdom, France, England, Scotland

Tall and imposing in looks, the Bloodhound has been one of the more utilized dogs of the K-9 unit, being a scent hound, these dogs are generally sought after for their ability to smell. These dogs have such immense smelling capabilities that they can be used for smelling out lost people who may otherwise not be found by conventional means.

All they need is a cloth, a certain belonging of the lost person, they are good to go once they smell it as all they will focus on is tracking down the person with that smell.

 4. German Shepherd

Breed Overview:

• Group: Herding
• Height: 22-26 inches
• Weight: 50-90 pounds
• Coat and Color: Medium Length topcoat and. Colors include: Sable, Black, or a mix of other colors
• Life Span: 7-10 years
• Origin: Germany

Belonging to a breed used mainly for the herding of livestock, the German Shepherd is one of the most popular K-9 unit dogs which are most often used by the police for various tasks such as rescuing people, and chasing down criminals suspects, or sniffing out foreign materials at the airport.

One may just happen to see this kind of dog at the various places if the police are there, whether it is an airport or a place of crime. These dogs are highly intelligent and will stop at nothing to work to their fullest once given a task

5. Dutch Shepherd

Breed Overview:

• Group: Herding
• Height: 21.5-24.5 inches
• Weight: 42-75 pounds
• Coat and Color: Double coat short in size.  The colors are Silver Brindle and Gold Brindle
• Life Span: 11-14 years
• Origin: Netherlands

Being wary of strangers and often being alert when one comes through an opening by barking at them, the Dutch Shepherd makes one of the best guard dogs along with being watchdogs. These dogs are most often used by the police force for being patrol dogs.

In simple terms, these dogs are great at tracking down people, chasing down criminals, and apprehending them tightly. They can also search out an entire field or a building if given the task of locating certain contraband or a person.

6. Giant Schnauzer

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 23.5-27.5 inches
• Weight: 55-85 pounds
• Coat and Color: Medium-length double coat that is wiry. Colors mainly come in Black or Pepper & Salt
• Life Span: 12-15 years
• Origin: Germany

Mysterious and filled with a certain wisdom, these dogs are particularly rare and not as much used by the police as other dogs due to this very reason. But once these dogs are found and trained, they can be the K-9 dogs.

However, the cost of training these dogs for the police itself goes up a steaming high, enough to make an entire hole in the pocket of a common ordinary man. Besides the cost, these dogs are perfect for being good police dogs ultimately.

7. American Pitbull Terrier

Breed Overview:

• Group: Terrier
• Height: 17-19 inches
• Weight: 30-85 pounds
• Coat and Color: Shiny coat that is short in size. Colors may include Brown, Grey, etc.
• Life Span: 12-16 years
• Origin: United States, United Kingdom

Despite not being bred for any sort of fielding purposes, these dogs, due to their highly trainable nature, are often used by the police as detector dogs. Due to their raw ferocity and overall precision at doing their task, these dogs certainly are becoming a favorite for field work that may include the detection of narcotics and other sorts of foreign agents.

8. English Springer Spaniel

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 19-20 inches
• Weight: 40-50 pounds
• Coat and Color: Medium-length top coat, undercoat. Colors Include White & Liver, Black & White, etc.
• Life Span: 12-14 years
• Origin: England

Despite their small size, the English Springer Spaniel is the best sniffer of foreign agents, from being able to sniff out narcotics to even explosives. These dogs can also detect firearms at various places and snatch them up, though these dogs may not be as ferocious in terms of chasing down suspects as the German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois are.

9. Rajapalayam (Indian Ghost Hound)

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 25-30 inches
• Weight: 66-99 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short coat with mainly white colors
• Life Span: 12 years
• Origin: India

A dog bred in India for the purposes of hunting down wild boars, these dogs are technically perfect hunters as they are able to intelligently sniff down a target despite being sighthounds in essence.

These dogs are often used by the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) for the purposes of being guard dogs to look out for certain threats and alert them of such.

Read more: Indian Dog Names

10. Labrador Retriever

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 21.5-24.5 inches
• Weight: 55-80 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short double coat. Colors are mainly Yellow, Black, Chocolate
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: Newfoundland, Canada

Despite having one of the friendliest temperaments, the Labrador Retrievers are often used by the police forces for their great bomb detection capabilities and their overall efficiency at being a sniffer. These dogs are always looking to learn and interact with people, in general, once given a task, these dogs will work unendingly on such task for days altogether till they are able to complete it.

11. Croatian Sheepdog

Breed Overview:

• Group: Herding
• Height: 16-20 inches
• Weight: 29-44 pounds
• Coat and Color: Wavy topcoat and undercoat that is medium in size. The color is normally Black.
• Life Span: 13-14 years
• Origin: Croatia

Despite their slight rarity and herd mentality, these dogs have served the police many times and are often used by them due to their high trainability. However, one may not see these dogs being used by the police as frequently as say, a German Shepherd.

12. Doberman Pinscher

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 24-28 inches
• Weight: 60-100 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short smooth coat. Colors may include Blue & Rust or Red & Rust along with other color combinations of such.
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: Germany

Another common dog breed that you may see being used by the police is K-9 unit dogs. Although these are not as frequent as these dogs are slightly ferocious by nature and are therefore not used too much unless trained effectively to remain calm. These dogs however were originally very popular with the police due to being effective at work and having the capability to fight off certain threats or chase them down.

13. Rottweiler

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 22-27 inches
• Weight: 80-135 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short-sized smooth coat. Colors are: Black & Rust, Black & Tan, Black & Mahogany
• Life Span: 9-10 years
• Origin: Germany, Rottweil

Despite not having as much prevalence over the police force as a German Shepherd, the Rottweiler is surprisingly still used by the police forces, albeit not in a more public way than before. These dogs were originally some of the first K-9 units utilized by the police, the reason for that is very simple, these dogs are tough and can chase down a suspect with brutal speed.

14. German Shorthaired Pointer

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 21-25
• Weight: 45-70 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short and smooth coat. Colors are: Black, Black & White, Black Roan and Liver and more
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: Germany

Bred for hunting various small-time games, these dogs are exceptionally sharp at tracking down living or inanimate objects and hence are used by the police for their work. These dogs are also some of the most easily trainable dogs and highly responsive to commands along with having smelling capabilities on par with a sniffer dog.

15. Border Collie

Breed Overview:

• Group: Herding
• Height: 18-22 inches
• Weight: 30-55 pounds
• Coat and Color: Medium-length Wavy topcoat and undercoat. Colors, in general, are Black, Brindle, Seal and Red, etc.
• Life Span: 12-15 years
• Origin: Anglo-Scottish border

Being highly distinguishable due to their unique coat, these dogs are highly intelligent, even more so than many dogs, and are thus often used by the military for this very reason. These dogs are also highly agile thanks to being a herding dogs and hence are capable of chasing down those who may try to run.

However, the true strength of a Border Collie lies in them being experts at detecting bombs, and being capable of sniffing out many foreign agents such as narcotics in airports and other destinations which may otherwise mask out any sort of smell.

Some Vital Considerations Before Choosing Police Dog Breeds

Police dogs are an important part of law enforcement. They are trained to provide support and assistance to officers in a variety of ways. There are many different breeds of police dogs, each with their own unique set of skills and abilities. Choosing the right breed of police dog is an important decision that should be made with care and consideration. Here are some tips to help you choose the best breed of police dog for your needs.

• Police dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but there are some breeds that are more commonly used than others. German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador Retrievers are all popular choices for police work, as they are intelligent, loyal, and have a strong work ethic. When choosing a police dog breed, it is important to consider the specific needs of your department.
• Choose a breed that is intelligent and easily trainable. -Pick a size that will be appropriate for the type of work you need the dog to do. smaller breeds may be better suited for detection work, while larger breeds may be better at apprehending suspects.
• Consider what level of energy and drive you want your dog to have. Some dogs are very high energy and need lots of daily exercise, while others are more laid back and easygoing.

What Breed is Usually Police Dog?

Police dogs are usually of the German Shepherd breed. This is because they are intelligent, trainable, and have a strong protective instinct.

Can Any Dog Breed Be a Police Dog?

Police dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but there are certain breeds that are more commonly used as police dogs. The most popular breed of a police dog is the German Shepherd, followed by the Belgian Malinois and the Dutch Shepherd. Other popular breeds include the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Rottweiler.

While any breed of dog can be trained to be a police dog, these breeds are typically best suited for the job.

What is the Best Breed for a Police Dog?

While there are a number of breeds that can make good police dogs, the best breed for a police dog is one that is intelligent, obedient, and has a strong working drive. Breeds that meet these criteria include the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Dutch Shepherd. The German Shepherd is perhaps the most popular breed for police work.

They are intelligent and have a strong working drive, making them excel at tasks such as search and rescue, drug detection, and tracking. German Shepherds are also very obedient, which is essential for a police dog who needs to be able to follow commands without hesitation. The Belgian Malinois is another excellent choice for a police dog.

Like the German Shepherd, they are extremely intelligent and have a strong working drive. Belgian Malinois are also very athletic and agile, making them well-suited for tasks such as apprehending suspects. The Dutch Shepherd is another excellent breed for police work.

They too are highly intelligent and have a strong working drive. Dutch Shepherds are also known for their loyalty and obedience, both of which are essential qualities in a police dog.

Police Dog Breeds That Look Like German Shepherds

There are many police dog breeds that look like German Shepherds. Some of these breeds include the Dutch Shepherd, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, and East German Shepherd. These dogs are all similar in size and appearance to the German Shepherd, but they each have their own unique set of skills and abilities.

The Dutch Shepherd is a versatile breed that is often used as a police dog. They are intelligent and easily trained, making them ideal for law enforcement work. Dutch Shepherds are also known for their loyalty and courage, two traits that are essential for a good police dog.

Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs were originally bred for military work, but they have since been adapted for use as police dogs. Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs are extremely intelligent and have an exceptional sense of smell. They are also very physically powerful, making them excellent at apprehending criminals.

East German Shepherds were developed specifically for use as police dogs. They are large and muscular, with superior strength and stamina. East German Shepherds are highly intelligent and fiercely loyal, making them perfect partners for law enforcement officers.

What Traits Make a Good Police Dog?

Police dogs are an important part of law enforcement. They are trained to assist in a variety of tasks including detecting illegal drugs, finding missing people, and locating crime scene evidence. In order to be successful at their job, police dogs must have certain traits.

Some of the most important traits for a police dog include: intelligence, obedience, bravery, and athleticism. Police dogs must be intelligent in order to understand and obey commands from their handlers. They also need to be brave in order to enter dangerous situations without hesitating.

Lastly, police dogs must be athletic in order to keep up with suspects and cover large areas quickly. While all of these traits are important for a successful police dog, each individual dog will have its own unique set of skills that make it valuable to its department. When choosing a police dog, it is important to select an animal that will excel in the specific tasks that it will be asked to perform.

Conclusion

While it can be a fact that many of these dogs are most often used to a life of living peacefully and without much action. The sheer fact that some of these dogs on the list are herding makes them a good candidate for being police dogs, if not for being herders, then for their intelligence and agility. These dogs are not only good at being sniffers or just chasers, but they are also great at listening to commands, although many of them may require treatment at many points.

On the other hand, many of these dogs can be the perfect guard dogs for their own households as they are capable of learning commands quickly such as the German Shepherd or the Boxer. Although bully type breeds may require more patience for training than general dog breeds.