Many of us have chosen to welcome new puppies into our homes in recent years – Kennel Club figures show that dog ownership has risen by almost eight per cent as the pandemic hit and post-lockdown demand for four-legged friends soared remain.
As well as numerous crossbreeds, there are a whopping 221 different pedigree dog breeds to choose from, giving you a lot to think about before choosing the latest addition to your family.
Of course, dogs aren’t just great pets — they also do a variety of jobs, including working for law enforcement agencies.
The perfect police dog is intelligent, dedicated, hardworking, and able to understand and respond to commands quickly and effectively.
In fact, they have a number of qualities that also make them a positive addition to any family home – as well as a police station.
So here are the 10 dog breeds that make the best police dogs.
The German Shepherd is what most people consider the perfect police dog. From tracking suspects to sniffing drugs, this breed is great for all kinds of law enforcement tasks.
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Often mistaken for a German Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois is slightly smaller and faster than its close cousin. They are the second most popular breed of police dog, sure to catch the quickest criminal and are particularly adept at sniffing out explosives.
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Boxers are a particularly popular breed of police dog in mainland Europe – particularly in Germany. They served in the military in both world wars as guard, patrol, and messenger dogs. With the perfect blend of intelligence, loyalty, and willingness to please, they are many officers’ best friends.
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K-9 officers don’t get friendlier than the adorable Labrador Retriever. Originally bred to track down birds killed on hunting expeditions, today they make excellent drug and bomb-sniffing dogs. They are particularly popular with police forces in the USA.
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