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Are K9 Dogs German Shepherds

Why Do The Police Use German Shepherds As Police Dogs

Retired Police K9 Dog | German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is renowned for its strength, trainability, obedience, and high intelligence. This makes the breed ideal for several lines of work. These dogs are also highly active and confident with a keen willingness to learn. Furthermore, German Shepherds have no inclination to become friends with strangers immediately, which makes them ideal for protective roles. Also, German Shepherds have greater restraint over their prey drive in comparison to other breeds. As a herding breed, the German Shepherd has good impulse control and analyzes the best approach to a situation. Lastly, German Shepherd dogs are lighter than other breeds that have a history of working as police dogs. This is important, as police dog handlers must be able to lift and maneuver their canine partners in the field.

Popular Dogs For Police Work And How They’re Trained

It’s no secret that German Shepherds have been the most popular police dog for many decades , and they deserve this title for a good reason.

But many other potential police dog breeds are now also trained to be a part of K-9 units in different countries, but the breed range is especially expanding in the west.

There’s no single path for a dog to become a police K9 unit.

Some dogs are raised from puppies to become police dogs, and others are taken from and re-trained from service dogs.

Sometimes police officers in the U.S. even bring dogs from other countries, particularly Germany and Netherlands, and continue training these bilingual dogs for police work here in the United States.

There’s no official entry barrier, and different approaches are taken to bring in new police dog breeds and train them for different tasks.

But this matter is taken seriously by law enforcement â after the full police work training, the dog will then even have to take the oath the same way as a human police officer would.

The handler will affirm on the dog’s behalf and have the dog bark in affirmation of the oath.

Retirement for police dogs varies around the world. Most dogs retire if they get seriously injured and will not heal fully. They also commonly retire when they reach old age or if they get too sick to work.

It is also common for pregnant or nursing dogs to retire or take a leave of absence.

Working dogs have been protecting and serving us for many years.

Police Dog Breeds That Help Law Enforcement

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Dogs have been formally called on to help police fight crime and track down suspects since the late 1880s, though their role in serving and protecting humans goes back many centuries earlier than that.;

More recently, police dogs work has expanded to mirror almost everything their human counterparts dofrom apprehending suspects and patrolling, to assisting on search and rescue missions, to sniffing out drugs, guns, and bombs. Its nuanced and demanding work, requiring a special temperament and skillset, which is why youll see certain breeds used as police dogs again and again.

Still, experts agree that breed alone doesnt automatically qualify a dog for police work, nor does a less common K9 breed rule one out. Yes, were drawn to certain breeds because we know what their characteristics usually are, says Shana Parsnow, manager of working dog programs for Highland Canine Training, LLC. But the characteristics of the individual dog are really the most important thing.

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German Shepherd Police Dogs

Humans and dogs such as German shepherds share a special bond because of their dominant personality and good looks. Its no wonder German shepherds have been used by police and military forces for many years. In this post, we will look at some interesting facts on German shepherd police dogs, how they help the police and how to train them effectively.

K9 Chico Gets Formal For Official Department Photo

K9 Services German Shepherd Rescue

Police dogs are often seen in the media and by the public as serious and menacing crime fighters.

However, K9 officers have a fun and playful side to their personalities, as do their human partners.

World, meet K9 Chico. Chico is a German Shepherd patrol and drug officer with the Florida Orange County Sheriffs Office.

When hitting the streets or doing pesky reports and paperwork, Chicos working attire is a harness.

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How Did German Shepherds Begin Working With Police

The history of how German Shepherds began working with the police is a short but extremely layered one. It helps to look at the history of the breed first.

For example, when looking at German Shepherds for the first time, you would be forgiven for thinking that they are closely related to wolves. However, this is not the case. Instead, they are a relatively modern breed of dog, with their origins only dating back to around 1899 much later than the majority of dog owners would imagine.

Around this time, large, industrialized cities were popping up all over Germany, causing the local populations of predators to heavily decline. As a byproduct of this, the need for sheepdogs, who had previously been used to defend flocks of livestock, began to become unnecessary.

However, this was not the end for the breed, and instead, they became highly prized as strong and intelligent working dogs.

Eventually, a German man named Von Stephanitz developed a keen interest in Germanys native sheepdogs. You can read more about him on Wikipedia.

However, although Von Stephanitz greatly admired the breeds, he was not completely satisfied, and instead set his sights on finding the perfect working dog. In 1899, he would attend a dog show wherein he was shown a remarkably intelligent canine named Hektor Linksrhein.

Von Stephanitz was so impressed with Hektor that he immediately purchased him, and from there history was made.

How did German Shepherds become police dogs?

  • Airedale Terrier
  • Rottweiler

Dogs That Police Officers Often Use

The most popular when it comes to the police dog is the German Shepherd.

But there are other breeds that are excellent too. Belgian Malinois is a great example.

Dutch Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweilers are also used.;

K9s are often working dogs and they are expected to be more than capable of handling themselves in dangerous situations. There are two types of dogs used for police work:

  • Single Purpose
  • Dual Purpose

Single purpose dogs are always taught to do one job, which can be either protection or detection work.;

Dual purpose K9s on the other hand are used for more than one purpose, these dogs can be either patrol dogs and explosives detection or patrol and narcotics detection dogs.;

Related: German Shepherd Training for Protection

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Your Guide To German Shepherd Shedding

Intelligent and easily trained, a German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds among dog lovers. German Shepherds are active, courageous, and excel in almost all activities. If you already own one, you will already know how protective they are. You may also know how much they tend to shed.;

If you plan on becoming a German Shepherd owner, you should be prepared for your dogs shedding. In this article, we will discuss how to deal with your German Shepherd shedding and how it should not be a big problem.

A Short History Of The German Shepherd

Kraftwerk K9 German Shepherd dog puppy training!

As the name of the breed suggests, the German Shepherd originates from Germany. The history of the breed dates back to the late 1800s. In the 1850s, German dog breeders were trying to standardize dog breeds to preserve the best traits that assisted their job of herding sheep. This was practiced within small communities of people in Germany where shepherds bred dogs.;

German breeders wanted to have a dog that had the necessary skills for herding sheep such as intelligence, strength, speed, endurance, and a strong sense of smell. The breeders got results but the ability and the appearance of dogs differed from one community to another. As a result, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the purpose of creating native dog breeds but it was disbanded in just a few of years due to internal disagreements on the traits of the dogs the organization should promote. Nevertheless, Germanys efforts to create a dog breed of the nations own continued.;

In 1899, Max von Stephanitz, an ex-member of the Phylax Society and a former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was shown a dog during one of his visits to a dog show named Hektor Linksrhein. The dog was agile, loyal, fast, intelligent, and appeared pleasing to the eye. The dog satisfied his beliefs of what a working dog should be, and he purchased him.;

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Best Dog Gear For Police Dogs And Working Dogs

We’ve put a list together of some of our favorite products for police dogs and working dogs. All of these products help to improve your police dog or working dog’s health, training, and comfort. You’re looking for the best production out of your dog, so look no further than this list to see what you can provide to keep your dog working harder, healthier, and longer!

Why Choose Delta K9 Academy

If you live in the Los Angeles area and would like for your dog to receive the best dog training available, there are two primary reasons to choose us:

We Form a Positive Bond with Dogs

We work hard to form a positive, loving bond with the dogs we train and believe that this bond is critical to the dog training process. We have a huge amount of respect for the pups and doggies we train, and we wholly believe in humane treatment at every level. We never use force-based dog training tactics such as electric shock and instead rely on positive enforcement because our vision is that a dog needs to love the training process in order for it to be effective.

We Provide Lifetime Advice

In addition to building a bond with the dogs and puppies, we work hard to build relationships with our dog owners as well and are happy to provide substantial discounts to our loyal customers. We also provide lifetime recommendations for every dog we train. That means that after your dog training is complete, you are able to bring your four-legged friend back periodically for advice and evaluation completely free of charge!

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Currently Available And Upcoming Working Lines German Shepherd Puppy Litters

Contact Us for litters and reservations for litters.

The success of Vom Banach K9 dogs out in the world, and the happiness of Vom Banach K9 owners, is due in part to the effort we make to ensure that you have the absolute right puppy for your situation, whatever it is. We literally spend hundreds of hours with our puppies from the moment they are born in our home until the time they are ready to leave for their new home with you. Whether you seek a devoted family pet, or a prospect for SAR, detection, Shutzhund, Police K9, competitive obedience and agility, or nose work, we will help select the right puppy for you.

An important part of the process is speaking to you to learn about you and the dog that will best meet your needs and expectations. In advance of that conversation, please fill out the form below and click on Submit when completed. Thanks very much.

History Of German Shepherds In Police Work

K9 Union Importers LLC

German Shepherds have a long history in K-9 work. In fact, Shepherds were initially bred in the early 1900s to be a working dog, including for police and military service. Breeder Max von Stephanitz, a German Army veteran, began selectively breeding GSDs for key traits, including intelligence, loyalty, and persistence.

As such, German Shepherds were ideal candidates for police and military work.

In the 1910s, Stephanitz approached German police departments to see if theyd be interested in using the dogs for work, and many began testing the breed for tactic work, protection, and tracking. These initial tests were a huge success, and into the 1920s and 1930s, German Shepherds became widely used in military and police work in Europe and around the world.

During World War I, German Shepherds were commonly used in the field. Thanks to their intelligence and obedience, GSDs could quickly be trained to perform some battlefield tasks. As such, GSDs became messengers, Red Cross dogs, and ammunition carriers during the war. In fact, Rin Tin Tin was a German Shepherd brought home from the war, who was later trained to appear in silent films .

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American Pit Bull Terrier

The American Pit Bull Terrier is the newest kid on the block among police dog breeds, as various law enforcement departments have only recently started to use this dog breed for police work .

The majority of Pit Bulls used as K-9 units are rescues, which saves on costly fees from breeders as some K-9 officer dogs can cost up to $20,000.

Due to their dogfighting history, they were rarely employed for K-9 units before; however, this has been changing as law enforcement realized their great potential.

More police departments are taking Pit Bulls in today.

Confident, fearless, athletic, fast, and sturdy, the Pit Bull is primarily used for detection and patrolling nowadays.

There are claims that the military is looking into also using this dog breed in the future.

New York Police Department are also scouring animal shelters to adopt Pit Bulls, like this one employed recently.

How To Purchase Purebred German Shepherd Puppies

We know that purchasing a furry family member online is a little different but were here to make you feel confident every step of the way! Start by viewing all the available purebred German Shepherd puppies we have currently available right here on our website. Once you choose your favorite dog, whether it be a German Shepherd puppy or a certified trained adult dog for sale, well keep you updated along the way with photos and videos regularly so you can see your new family member thrive until you get to take them home. At Kraftwerk K9, our purebred German Shepherd puppies have been exported all over the world including the Middle East, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, and Canada. Let us show you how the working dog can make the perfect family companion and protector!

Champion German Shepherd Breeders Since 1987

Having a history with 30+ years of certified German Shepherd breeding expertise makes us the longest standing German Shepherd breeder in America. Our founder and visionary leader, Wayne Curry, is the winner of numerous Regional and National championships, recognized by the New York Times, other major newspapers, international radio, Q13 Fox News TV, and many more! Were humbled and honored to have been entrusted with some of the best selection of breeding males and females from across the world. See why Der Spiegel, Germanys leading news publication, rates us the Best Breeder in America contact us today! We look forward to working with you!

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K9 Chico Dresses To Impress

On picture day at the Orange County Sheriffs Office, employees were instructed to wear their Class A uniforms for official photos.

Chico was not only included in the process; he showed everyone else how its done.

For his official portrait, Chico went all out.

Chico sure cleaned up nice and even wore a tie for the photo.

He nailed it.

Chico is one handsome doggo in uniform, but hes still pretty cute sporting the casual look.

Chico is a team player and always up for special assignments. Safety equipment required? No problem!

When its time to get into the holiday spirit, K9 Chico shows off his pawliday style.

Chico lives with his partner, Corporal Robert Lees, and Leess family.

Corporal Lees stated, My dream was to become a K9 handler. I get to ride around all day with my best friend and partner. Chico is the absolute best.

In his spare time, Chico loves tug-o-war and Kongs.

Whos a handsome, good boy?

Chico thats who!

Tactical Gear For Your Dog

Kraftwerk K9 German Shepherd dog Obedient protection!

Our choice for tactical gear for your dog is the Freedom Flex Anti-Pull Leash from Tough Pup. This leash incorporates progressive tension technology that eliminates the shock of walking a pulling dog, making handling much easier both for you and the dog. For police and working dogs, this leash is a must-have to keep your dog close to your side, without sacrificing your own stance.

Handmade in the USA, this leash features Tough Pup’s Titan Thread and an all-metal fixed-eye snap hook, ensuring the durability that a police or working dog needs. It is available in two lengths: 45 inches and 57 inches.

MSRP $29.99DEAL! $26.99

Want to try it? Enter Code POLICEDOGGEAR at Checkout for 10% Off

“This leash is awesome. I love how it has thick bungee and not a thin little scrunch cord you can not trust. This thing is strong. My mastiff pulls a lot and this takes a lot of the “force” out of the pull for both of us. Our short walks are much better now!”– Jacob M.

Our next choice for best tactical gear for your dog is the Hawkins Tactical Dog Collar by Tough Pup. A police or working dog needs a collar that can be put on quickly, and hold up to action and the elements. This collar does just that. The clasp makes it easy to put on, but not easy to come off without your assistance, making it the perfect collar for a dog in the field.

MSRP $29.99DEAL! $26.99

Want to try it? Enter Code POLICEDOGGEAR at Checkout for 10% Off

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German Shepherd Breed Characteristics

  • German Shepherds stand around two feet tall. Males can reach 24 to 26 inches and females between 22 and 24 inches.
  • A medium-to-large sized working dog, male German Shepherds weigh between 65 and 90 pounds and females between 50 and 70 pounds.
  • German Shepherds have a double coat. The outer coat is dense and can be straight or a little wavy, whilst the undercoat is thick but soft.
  • German Shepherds are one of the most common police dogs used for everyday duties. The trainability and intelligence of the breed make it the ideal candidate for police work.
  • German Shepherds are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds, along with the Border Collie and Poodle.
  • Contrary to popular belief, German Shepherds are very loving and protective pets of their owners. However, they can display aggression if their aggressive tendencies arent kept in check.

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