Police dog breeds – Training & Handling.
To Serve and Paw-tect!
TOP 10 POLICE DOG BREEDS: Be a Police K9 Handler – Adopt a Police Dog Dropout
“It takes a special officer to become a police dog handler. It also takes a special animal to become a police dog. Some breeds are certainly better than others. Even within the most popular canine breeds, not all dogs make the grade. Which is why most departments use dogs breeds and raised specifically to do police work.” [1]
TOP 10 POLICE DOG BREEDS
- German Shepherds
- Belgian Malinois
- Bloodhound
- Dutch Shepherd
- Bouvier des Flandres
- Doberman Pinscher
- Labrador Retriever
- Beagle
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Boxer
Intelligence, loyalty and size have a lot to do with which breeds make good, effective Police Dogs. Although some dogs specialize in one area.
The little Beagle, for instance, has a supersensitive sense of smell. They can sniff drugs and explosives with amazing efficiency. Their lesser size can be an advantage in searching smaller spaces.
Labrador Retrievers may seem too peaceful to make to make a successful Police K9. But their intelligence and willingness to please make them perfect sniffer dogs and Search & Rescuers.
Like the Beagle, the easy-going shaggy Bouvier des Flandres has an enhanced sense of smell and a drive to please its handler.
The American Pit Bull Terrier has a reputation of being too aggressive. But they’re less expensive to purchase. They’re easy to train. And they love being part of a team — responding instantly to a handler on the other end of a leash.
TRAINING POLICE DOGS
Each day, the role of working dogs throughout the world becomes more demanding. These animals are used for tracing criminal links and have been useful in solving various criminal cases. They’re usually accompanied by a law officer to the scene of the crime.
Due to their uniqueness, these dogs are given special care and are kept in specifically built dog houses.
In many jurisdictions the intentional injury or killing of a police service dog is a serious crime. So the perpetrator is subjected to harsh penalties. In some cases the killing or injury of police service animals are considered to be equal to the killing or injuring a police officer.
Furthermore, a police service dog killed while on duty is traditionally given a full police funeral or burial, similar to that for a law officer.
Some of the functions performed by police service dogs are as follows:
1. Police order enforcement dog
In this case these dogs are used to enforce public order by chasing and holding suspects, or detaining suspects.
2. Tracking
Connected to locating of suspects. Or finding missing persons and objects.
3. Detecting illicit objects
These dogs are used to detect illicit substances such as drugs or explosives which may be carried by a person.
4. Cadaver dogs
They’re dogs trained in detecting the odor of decomposing bodies. Dog’s noses are so sensitive that they are even capable of detecting bodies that are under water.
Police service dogs need to be trained professionally and proper care must be taken so that they can be useful during police investigation.
Equal care should also be taken in training police service dog handlers.
It should be taken into consideration that the functioning of dogs is different from human behavior. Therefore, it becomes necessary that the dog handler is professionally trained in understanding the behavior of their animal partner. In a wide range of circumstances.
A Dog handler is a special police officer who is in charge of the training and handling of well trained dogs.
The level of training and certification for police dog handlers and their charges is growing. There are various institutes which impart training of police K9 handlers.
Becoming a police service dog handler does not require any formal education. But an apprenticeship under an established handler.
And an adherence to a code of ethics is important. Police work is a combination of proud tradition and modern forensic techniques. That applies to professional K9 handlers. [2]
ADOPT POLICE DOG DROPOUTS
You can adopt “Failed” police dogs. Retired and “Failed” police service K9’s are often put out for sale. Usually, they are healthy animals with all their all their vet papers.
“Being a service dog is a big job, and not all pups are cut out for it. The reasons are either health-related or behavior-related. Health-wise, canines may suffer from eye issues like cataracts, joint problems, or have food or other allergies that make it difficult for them to be on top of their game at all times. Behaviorally, things like too much energy, too much friendliness with strangers, or difficulties on a leash can disqualify a dog from service training.” [3]
Learn more about Police Dogs. My two most popular Police Dog Posts are:
“NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE DOGS: Huskies and Other Sled Dogs”
“ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE DOGS: The German Shepherd K9”
[1] What goes into the training of a K-9 unit? www.wvnstv.com
[2] Nick Redding – Police Dog Handler – Nick Redding Articles
[3] How to Adopt a Failed Service Dog – www.thesprucepets.com
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