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Police Dogs
Police Dogs are a strange brew. On one hand, they are taught to be a loving member of their police force family, on the other, they are trained how to take down, or even attack, another human. This required paradoxical lifestyle is only one of the many reasons that Police Dogs must come from intelligent, strong, dedicated, and aggressive but obedient dogs. Over-aggression is not a desired trait, but self-control and obedience are two of the strongest traits a police dog must have.
Because of the intelligence and strength that bred through generations of purebred working dogs, police dogs are usually a member of a working dog breed. But herd dogs and hunting dogs also breed traits such as tracking and scenting that are widely used in fields of police work. German Shepherds are the most popular type of police dog to breed for police dog training, but Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinoises, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas, Terriers, Boxers, Spaniels, Bloodhounds, the Bouvier de Flandres, Rottweilers, Collies and Dutch Shepherds have also been used throughout the world for various types of police work. K-9 police work involves many talents, not just brute strength and teeth-clenching growling. Scenting and tracking for drugs, weapons, evidence, cash, bodies and criminals; holding criminals at bay; protection work; and search and rescue operations are all part of K-9 training.
German Shepherd, Doberman and Rottweiler breeds gained popularity during their military use in WW1. The success of military training and the end of the war led the way to the popularity of these dogs being trained for police dogs. German Shepherds, originally bred for herding, remain the most popular type of police dog to train for police type work. Dobermans aren't as prevalent, but their loyalty, obedience, and ability to react quickly and obediently in a given situation still make them a desirable breed for police dog training in some lines of police work. The sheer strength of a Rottweiler, as well as their intelligence and protective nature, has given the Rottweiler a large group of advocates who propose Rottweilers to substitute for the German Shepherd police dogs.
All types of police dogs go through very rigorous, and specialized training, which require well-trained police dog handlers. Police dogs are often chosen for their vocation by the decisive traits of their breed, such as the scent and retrieving abilities of Retrievers, Bloodhounds and Spaniels, and the brute strength of the Rottweiler for protection and attack. Many types of police dogs are bred specifically for police training and although they are not fully ready until at least three years old, studies done in Australia on police dog puppy training have found that puppies trained early with obstacle courses and hide and seek training become exceptional candidates for many types of police dog activities.
Police dogs that have passed the rigors of police dogs training are the type of dogs that can behave exceptionally well in any social setting, and are able to quickly turn their actions to respond to their handler's command. The police dog trainers and handlers must learn to live a paradox themselves, because as they grow close to their exceptionally trained police-dog, they also realize that their dog is a "weapon," and can easily destroy and be destroyed. However, this type of police dog paradox quickly becomes accepted as police dogs continue to heroically protect citizens from the dangers of the criminal mind.
Jasmine 
