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Why German Shepherds Are The Best Police Dogs

Reasons Why German Shepherds Make Good Police Dogs

Why Are German Shepherds Good Police Dogs?

There are actually lots of reasons why German Shepherd dogs make such good police dogs, and we are going to explain some of them here for you. One of the first reasons why German Shepherds make such good police dogs is because they are one of the most intelligent breeds of dog, which makes them more than capable for the task at hand. As well as this, they are able to work long hours without getting tired, and as herding dogs, it is only natural for them to want to protect.

German Shepherds are a dog breed that has above-average strength, and they even have the ability to keep calm in difficult situations. In addition to this, they are really good at following commands, and they are both quick and athletic, which are two qualities that any good police officer will need. Finally, these dogs are extremely loyal, and they will always have your back when you need them to.

These dogs will be given lots of training to make them fit for police work, from learning when to step in to help to learning how to become an excellent tracker, or being able to sniff out illegal substances.

How Are Police Dogs Assigned To Officers

The process of assigning a particular GSD to a police officer takes a reasonable amount of time. It also involves much scrutiny because the police officer to whom the GSD is being assigned will be checked for his responsibility, communication skills, reliability, and agility.

This is because GSDs are very agile dogs they are not weapons nor pets and would need similar breeds of handlers to control and optimize them. So, as much as possible, the GSDs personality traits should match that of their handlers.

As when the dog is finally assigned to an officer, he would work with the officer daily and live at the officers home with his family.

The police officer who wishes to have a GSD partner must first complete his police academy training and run a year or two with the patrol unit before transferring to the k-9 team. After that, he would be eligible to get a GSD.

Revealed: Why German Shepherds Are Used As Police Dogs

What comes to mind when you think of police dogs?

Hmm. Probably German Shepherds?

You can see them everywhere.

May it be in airports. As well as in films.

But why are they chosen for this specific role?

Continue reading to learn:

  • When they joined the police.
  • What makes German Shepherds an ideal police dog.
  • The answers to Why do police use German Shepherds instead of Rottweilers or Pitbulls?
  • And a lot more

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Are German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mixes Good Police Dogs

In many disciplines that are extremely important, such as seeing-eye dogs and police dogs, dogs may be purposely bred across breeds in order to arrive at an ideal work dog.

Various types of Golden Retriever and Labrador crosses are useful for seeing-eye dogs, and when it comes to police work, a Belgian Malinois crossed with a German Shepherd is an excellent working dog.

Mixing the breeds allows some of the best aspects of each to come out, although these traits are also less predictable.

Ideally, a mixed breed dog will have the tenacity and superior health of a Belgian Malinois along with the size and calm temperament of the German Shepherd.

What Is The Definition Of A Guard Dog

50 best German Shepherds images on Pinterest

Guard dogs, by definition are working dogs that are typically naturally intelligent, easily trained and protective of their owners. This means that they are willing and able to perform specific protective roles and tasks that they have been trained to do, in order to guard and protect the home or their owners.

On the other hand, personal protective dogs are generally family pets who are very loyal, willing and capable of defending themselves, or their owners and family members from danger.

The main difference between a personal protection dog and a guard dog is that a personal protection dog is a family pet, who is capable of protecting its owners, whereas a guard dog is specifically trained to protect and guard, with a range of actions to attack, defend or guard certain people, homes or family members.

As either type of dog would need to have similar characteristics, a good personal protection dog would also make a good guard dog, and so the two often go hand in hand. Due to their longing for obedience, and willingness to learn and be trained, German Shepherds can make excellent guard or personal protection dogs.

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Police Trained German Shepherds For Sale Adoption And Rehoming Puppies Former/retired And Ex Police Dogs

The following police trained dogs may be available for adoption and rehoming:

Puppies that are judged physically or mentally incapable of being a police dog

Dogs that fail police training

Dogs that are injured in the course of police work

Retired and pregnant dogs. Dogs usually retire at 9-12 years of age.

Sometimes a police dog will be retired with its handler or owner as opposed to being adopted or rehomed.

If you would like to to adopt a police trained service German Shepherd, contact your countrys parent German Shepherd club and ask for more information on rescue centres and police dog rehoming programs.

Why Do German Shepherds Possess These Traits And Such A Temperament Gsd Breed History

German Shepherds as a dog breed were originally bred to be the ultimate working dog.

This meant they were bred to have the physical and mental traits to perform a range of working tasks, but also be intensely loyal and obedient to their master.

Although German Shepherds are attractive as a breed, their appearance was not a primary priority for early breeding apart from having the physical traits to work .

Further to this, as the German Shepherd breed evolved into the 1900s, there became both working lines and show lines.

Show lines may still have had working ability, but they were primarily bred for a specific appearance and to have the movements for show conformance.

The working lines on the other hand were bred to have superior health , great temperaments and of course a strong working ability.

If we use the East German/DDR GSD as an example, they were bred specifically to help the East German military.

You can read more about the different lines in this guide about the origins, history and evolution of the German Shepherd breed.

In modern times, there are breeders who breed German Shepherds specifically for police work making strong nerves, supreme health, an even temperament, advanced training, and of course a big appetite to work a strong priority.

If you want to read more about the German Shepherd breed in general weve put together this guide with over 100 interesting pieces of information and facts about the German Shepherd Dog Breed.

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Past Vs Modern Days Training

In Past days most trainers have used bad training practices that I want you to avoid.

They were punishing their German Shepherd dogs if they behave in a way that they do not want.

For example, if you want to make him sit you will push with force on his back. These techniques do not work well because when you punish your dog it can be frustrating for him and it can make him sad.

Sad Dogs can act very aggressively sometimes and pushing your German Shepherd To do something you want will not work, maybe it will work with a baby but with an Adult German Shepherd, It will not.

It will become a competition of who is more powerful between the dog and the handler.

Why German Shepherds Are Used As Police Dogs

Why Are German Shepherds Used As Police Dogs?

Although many breeds excel as working dogs, there is none more iconic than the German Shepherd. This is especially true when it comes to police work where GSDs have long been preferred not merely for their imposing size and stature but for providing a complete package, which includes a high level of intelligence and the perfect temperament.

This article will discuss why German Shepherds are used as police dogs historically and today.

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Some Notable Achievement The German Shepherd Breed Has Accomplished In The Force

  • Jet of IadaJet was a German Shepherd pedigree dog. Jet received the Dickin Medal and RSPCAs medallion of Valor for his brave efforts in rescuing 150 people trapped under a blitzed building.
  • Crumstone Irma: was a German Shepherd who served with the Civil Defense Services of London during World War 2. She assisted in the rescue of 191 people trapped under destroyed buildings. She had a great ability to tell if buried victims were dead or alive. Like Jet of Iada, she received the Dickings Medal in 1945.
  • Thorn: Was noted by the Peoples Dispensary of sick animals for the Dickin medal. He was awarded the medal in 1945 for his bravery and service during World War 2.
  • Rex: Was noted just like Thorn for the same reasons by the Peoples Dispensary. In April 1945 he received the Dickin medal.Rex performed outstanding good work finding casualties in burning buildings. Without fear, he would search in harsh environments for people that were trapped in smoldering buildings.
  • Appollo: was a German Shepherd search and rescue dog born in 1992. He became part of New York Police Departments K-9 unit that served during the September 11 attack. He was the first SAR dog on the site.Appollo received the Dickin medal on behalf of all the dogs that assisted in rescue operations on the WTC site and pentagon site after the attacks.

St Century A Golden Era For German Shepherd

After His glorious history, the entire world started to know him. This Dog has been used as a family pet, guard dog, service dog, and many more functions.

Best K-9 Police Dogs And Service Dogs

German shepherd dogs Have been Considered One of the Best For K-9 Police Forces. German shepherd Dogs help them to detect drug dealers, find lost people and track criminals.

German shepherds are also used to detect explosives.

German Shepherd Dogs are Also used As service dogs. In world war 2 many soldiers had lost their visual capacity. German shepherd dogs were trained to be their eyes and help them to walk and do some daily tasks.

Nowadays German shepherds are used in many service points to help disabled people to do their daily tasks.

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What It Takes To Be A Police Dog

Often a dogs road to police work begins at birth, or even before. A number of breeders in the US and Europe specialize in producing dogs that are perfectly suited for law enforcement roles. But becoming a police K9 isnt as simple as having the right parents. While it varies somewhat depending on the job, most K9 police work requires dogs that are alert, obedient, physically fit, and highly driven yet still calm.

Police dogs undergo continuous training throughout their lives, often starting with obedience and socialization exercises in puppyhood and followed by frequent endurance and agility drills as they mature.

Usually when theyve reached around a year of general training, dogs are paired up with their police handlers, undergoing another 3 to 6 months of focused specialty training for the job theyll be assigned to. Dog-and-handler teams continue to train together right up until a dog retires from police work .

The Job Of A Police Dog

How to Adopt Retired Police Dogs

Police officers have a difficult and dangerous job that provides different scenarios every day, and they are sometimes faced with life or death situations. These types of situations will usually involve people that are intent on causing harm to them or another person. Even though police officers are armed with a variety of defensive tools for these situations, like a gun, taser, or baton, this isnt always going to be enough for every situation.

They may be faced with multiple aggressors, or there may simply come a time when the officer is taken by surprise and ends up in a tricky situation. In different circumstances, a police officer may have to conduct a search in an area that is too narrow, or that is difficult to access. As well as this, there will be certain situations where the thing that is being searched for cannot be detected by human senses.

These are just some of the situations where the police dog will come in to save the day, and this is especially common with German Shepherd dogs. As well as many other things, they are one of the most effective and efficient tools that a police officer can utilize when needed, and they just love to help out and do a good job.

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Why Do Police Use German Shepherds And Not Pitbulls

Police use German Shepherds and not Pitbulls because German Shepherds can control themselves more. Theyre also wary of strangers. And they also have greater stamina, agility, and breeding.

What makes German Shepherds a more ideal choice?

Lets talk about the reasons one by one.

#1: Extreme friendliness

Did you know that, unlike their scary image

Pitbulls are actually friendly even to unfamiliar people?

This is if theyre socialized well at an early age.

A study shows that theyre less aggressive than tiny Chihuahuas.

The research had more than 4,000 respondents. And based on aggressiveness

They were even ranked lower than Miniature Schnauzers. Who are known to be well-mannered and obedient pups.

This is a nice trait.

But, their friendliness can be a disadvantage as a police dog. Especially when they need to defend someone from others.

How about German Shepherds?

Theyre different. This is because they dont trust strangers fast.

But, they can be friendly when trained. And if their handler says so. Plus, they could also attack if needed.

Making them a more ideal police companion.

#2: Lower stamina

Pitbulls are athletic too.

But, theyre only good running buddies for short distances. As they can only run up to 2 to 3 mi .

While German Shepherds could run longer distances . And do it with ease.

#3: Bite and shake

Have you seen Leonard? The first Pitbull cop dog in Ohio?

Although it isnt common, Pitbulls are also used by some police units.

Whys that?

  • Abuse.

Why?

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.

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How Are German Shepherds Used As Police Dogs

Police Usually has a trained Holder Of A German Shepherd Dog. These Holders Have the responsibility to take the German Shepherd Dogs and use them as needed.

Dogs Are well trained and very carefully grown to be very effective police Dogs. German Shepherd dogs are able to smell drugs from very far and they can found it if it is well hidden.

Police dogs need advanced training in respect of a normal German shepherd dog.

German Shepherd Dogs need to be in constant interaction with their handler. They need a lot of exercises every day and also mental stimulation.

Why Do Police Use German Shepherds Instead Of Rottweilers

German Shepherd police dog protecting and helping Policeman | Best of Trained Dogs

Police use German Shepherds instead of Rottweilers because of their agility. Theyre lighter and can be handled with ease. Plus, they also have weaker bite force and good control of their strength.

#1: Heavier body weight

Adult Rottweilers typically weigh 80 to 135 lbs . While German Shepherds are only 77 to 95 lbs .

So Rotties are heavier. And police officers may have trouble handling a big canine out in the field.

Because of this, a leaner but not too thin dog is preferred. And German Shepherds are a perfect fit in that category.

#2: Lesser agility

Because of their heavier weight, Rotties agility is also reduced.

Although theyre still good at it

German Shepherds can move more swiftly. And with greater ease.

Also, like Pitbulls, they have lower stamina as well. So they could only run short distances.

#3: Stronger bite force

Rottweilers also have bigger heads. As well as wider jaws.

Research reveals that the larger the skull is, the greater the bite force is.

And this is true. Because they have a bite force of 328 psi.

Which is higher than German Shepherds who only have a record of 238 psi.

However, are stronger jaws ideal for police dogs?

The answer is no.

Its because they might need to apprehend people. And they need to do it in a way thatll not cause serious injury or damage to property.

But

Both breeds arent aggressive in nature. And theyre also both wary of strangers. Which makes them great candidates for a cop dog.

Did you know?

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Belgian Malinois Vs German Shepherds As Police Dogs

German Shepherds used to be the standard for police dogs, but recently Belgian Malinois are replacing them in many police departments.

For instance, in the Los Angeles Police Department and the US Military, 75% of dogs are Belgian Malinois.

There are a lot of reasons that Belgian Malinois make a good fit for police work and why they are replacing German Shepherds.

However, German Shepherds are still a good option for police work as well. Here are some comparison points between them.

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