Police dog breeds are dogs that are bred specifically for police use. Almost all of these four-legged friends have the following characteristics in common:
- Easily trainable
- Very loyal
- Above average strength
- Love work
- Good nose [1]
Normally, police dogs are in service for around 6 years before they go into their well-deserved “retirement”. By the way, not only purebred dogs are used.
Many mixed breeds of retrievers, terriers and spaniels are also used for this. Below you will find an overview of the 31 most popular purebred police dogs.
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#1 German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a true all-rounder and does its job as a police dog breed excellently. He is wonderful to train and is very willing to learn. [2]
With his loyal, alert and obedient nature, he is particularly suitable as a workhorse. After all, he was bred as a sheepdog and herding dog.
The breed originated in Germany around 120 years ago. This means that it is still a relatively young dog breed. Worldwide, the German Shepherd is considered a very intelligent dog.
Even beginners get along well with the large dog. However, the German Shepherd rarely tolerates strange dogs. Children, on the other hand, are not a problem.
Fun fact: There are specimens from poor breeding facilities where… the butt is particularly lowered. For this reason, these dogs were referred to as “half dog, half frog” in a BBC documentary.
#2 Malinois
For several years now, there has been a new all-rounder among the police dog breeds – the Malinois or Belgian Shepherd. The four-legged friend is a real workhorse. [3]
In terms of temperament, this four-legged friend is similar to the German Shepherd. He appears alert, self-confident and protective. The strong dog is not afraid of hard work.
Thanks to its intelligence, the short-haired German Shepherd can be used in a variety of ways. As a sniffer dog for the police and military, this breed likes to sniff out drugs, cash, etc.
During the Second World War, the four-legged friends were also used to transport wounded soldiers. In 2011 they even tracked down Osama Bin Laden.
Fun fact: In the military, these German Shepherds are regularly used in air missions. Skydiving is part of everyday life for our four-legged friends.
#3 German boxer
The German Boxer is a type of Great Dane and the 11th most popular dog breed in the world. The brown, flat-snouted four-legged friends shed a lot, need a lot of exercise and like to bark.
The animals are also popular as a police dog breed. Their primary function is that of a protection dog. This fits wonderfully with the self-confident, fearless nature of the dogs.
Boxers typically live between 9 and 15 years old. They are also very suitable as family dogs. They are loyal, patient and loving towards their family. [4]
Friction occasionally occurs with dogs of the same gender. In general, they are not aggressive dogs. You can also use them as guard dogs.
Fun fact: Have you ever wondered where this dog got its name? Many boxers have a tendency to stand on their hind legs when playing and use their paws to “box.”
#4 Bloodhound
The Bloodhound has the best nose of all dog breeds. With 300 million olfactory receptors, it beats us humans 60 times more. [5]
No wonder this four-legged friend is used as a police dog breed. Where else could the clever four-legged friend make better use of his good nose?
The stubborn animals were bred as hunting or sniffer dogs. They were also trained to work independently. Accordingly, they are difficult to train.
Beginners should therefore stay away from this breed. It is better for these four-legged friends to be integrated into a pack and given a task.
Fun fact: These four-legged friends literally gnaw on everything they find. No matter whether it is the remote control, plants or stones. Nothing is safe from their teeth.
#5 Airedale Terriers
The Airedale Terrier originally comes from England and was bred as a working dog. He was used as a hunting dog for a long time. [6]
Today he is very popular as a service and family dog. The versatile four-legged friend can also be used very well as a police dog breed.
Airedales shed little, are easy to train and have a very strong hunting instinct. They need a lot of exercise and bark quite a bit. Not for sensitive ears.
The four-legged friends usually get along very well with children and other dogs. However, they should not be kept in the apartment. They need strict, experienced training.
Fun fact: These animals can cause a lot of chaos, especially in households without shoe racks. They love carrying things from A to B – so your shoes are particularly fond of being kidnapped.
#6 Treeing Walker Coonhound
The following four-legged friend is one of the sniffer dog breeds and comes from the USA. It was bred there to hunt raccoons, deer, bears and similar wild animals.
The dogs are very clever and self-confident. They are described as very talkative as they bark a lot. They are not suitable for life as an apartment dog.
However, their versatility and endurance make them very well suited as a police dog breed. Their training requires consistency and strict, experienced training. [7]
Four-legged friends don't cope well with loneliness and boredom. Children are tolerated, but you should remember that this is primarily a hunting dog breed.
Fun fact: Many laypeople think that a “treeing dog” can climb trees. In reality, this term is used for hunting dogs that chase their prey up trees and hold them up until the hunter gets there.
#7 Rottweiler
The Rottweiler from Germany is a courageous, alert four-legged friend. The four-legged friend is ideal as a shepherd, rescue and police dog breed. [8]
The males in particular are self-confident and fearless. The females, on the other hand, are much more trusting. Rotties are also ideal as guard dogs.
They have a natural territorial drive and are very protective. They should therefore be introduced to children early on.
In general, early socialization makes sense for these large, strong dogs. They are often aggressive and dominant towards strange dogs. They like to cause trouble.
Fun fact: If you're looking for a four-legged friend to sleep in your room, this breed is probably not the best choice. Because these dogs are known for snoring very loudly and a lot.
#8 Hollandse Herdershond
The Hollandse Herdershond comes – as the name suggests – from the Netherlands. He was primarily kept on farms there as a sheepdog. [9]
The four-legged friend is very versatile and very easy to train. He needs a lot of exercise, but only has a mediocre hunting instinct and barks relatively little.
Due to its reliable, obedient nature, this four-legged friend is also very popular as a police dog breed. He is ideal for use as a search and rescue dog.
During the Second World War it was used so much that the breed almost died out completely. This dog is still relatively rare to find today.
Fun fact: In rare cases, these dogs are also born with long fur. Your breeders are therefore quite surprised when a puppy from the litter suddenly has fur that is around 5 times longer than its littermates.
#9 Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer is a breed from Germany. The four-legged friend is also known as the “Munich Schnauzer”. It was primarily bred to herd animals. [10]
He was also used a lot as a guard dog, especially on farms. The big dog is skeptical towards strangers. However, the four-legged friend does not have a strong barking instinct.
With its loyal, strong nature, the Giant Schnauzer is ideal as a police dog breed. Due to his territorial, persistent nature, he thrives in this role.
This four-legged friend is not suitable as a pure house dog. Because of his intelligence, he wants to be kept busy mentally and physically. The four-legged friend doesn't like being bored at all.
Fun fact: Did you know there is a coat color called “pepper salt”? Giant Schnauzers usually come in either black or this strange color. It is a mix of gray and black.
#10 Beagles
The Beagle is a highly trainable four-legged friend from England. The medium-sized dog lives up to 15 years and has one of the best dog noses. [11]
This sniffer dog's temperament is gentle, strong-willed and curious. Although he is well suited to apartment life, he enjoys lots of exercise and action.
The short-haired dog also cuts a good figure as a police dog breed. It is ideal for detecting drugs or similar. However, he is unsuitable as a guard dog.
Beagles are friendly to all people. They get along great with children, strangers and other dogs. Overall, they are very trusting, friendly animals.
Fun fact: Can ears help a dog smell? Absolutely! This is the case with the beagle. His ears wag as he runs, sending smells directly into his nose.
#11 Redbone Coonhound
This four-legged friend is a true all-rounder among police dog breeds. The energetic, obedient dog comes from the USA and was primarily a hunting dog. [12]
As a “Redbone” it is one of six Coonhound species. His fur color is basically completely reddish brown. He is therefore also known as “Red Beauty”.
The beautiful four-legged friend lives up to 15 years and is very sociable. He gets along well with both children and strange dogs. Nevertheless, it belongs in experienced hands.
These dogs are happiest when kept in a pack with other dogs. They don't like loneliness at all. But they are fine as an apartment dog.
Fun fact: These dogs have such long floppy ears that they flap around like crazy when they run.
#12 Hovawart
The Hovawart comes from Germany. Translated from Middle High German, the name means “Hofwache”. Connoisseurs often speak of the “Hovie”. [13]
The large four-legged friend is versatile. From domestic dogs to police dog breeds, he fits in well everywhere. Since he is skeptical of strangers, he is also suitable as a guard dog.
In the past he was increasingly replaced in this role by the German Shepherd. In the past he was used more as a working dog.
The breed almost died out during the Second World War. After the war, the Hovie gained popularity as a family dog. The breed is less suitable for beginners.
Fun fact: These dogs' alpha instinct is so strong that they will often lean on you when you open the door…