Why Are Only German Shepherd Dogs Used As K-9 Units?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,


German Shepherds were naturally bred to work

. German Shepherds are typically intelligent (one of the world's most smart breeds), they quick to train, obedient and loyal, athletic and healthy, and even-tempered. All of these traits make German Shepherd's ideal candidates for police work.

Contents hide

Are k9 dogs always German Shepherds?

What breeds do they use for police dogs?

The most popular breeds are German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherds, and occasionally mixes of these breeds

. Less popular, but still used at times, are Rottweilers, Doberman Pinchers, and Bouvier de Flandres.

Why do police use German shepherds instead of Dobermans?

The longer coat actually insulates them from the heat as well as the cold.

GSDs have a much more soldier mentality. They follow orders better than Dobermans that may think for themselves too much

. s, so of course you will find more quality working dogs.

Are German shepherds the only police dogs?

German Shepherd Dogs are everywhere! As one of the most active dog breeds working today, you see GSDs in airports, subway stations, and even Times Square.

These dogs serve as police K-9s

, military working dogs, search and rescue dogs, and much more.

What is Sable GSD?

“Sable” refers to

a specific color of German shepherd

. Sable German shepherds have a coat with lighter roots and darker tips covering most of their body. The tips are usually black, which means the dog looks as though it has a greyish color. It is a natural color variation within the breed.

Which is better Rottweiler or German Shepherd?

Both the Rottweiler and German Shepherd are powerful dogs. The Rottweiler probably has a slight advantage when it comes to strength because it has a more muscular, heavier build and they were built for carrying and pulling weight, whereas the German Shepherd is more agile.

Are police dogs male or female?

Where are often more aggressive and stronger, can be used as as well. Female dogs are often used as single purpose dogs. They are trained to detect bombs, drugs or other contraband.

Male dogs are often picked as police dogs

. They show more aggression and are stronger as female dogs.

What's the smartest dog?


Border collie

According to The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence, the border collie is the smartest dog breed known to man.

Do police dogs wear bulletproof vests?

Do police dogs wear bulletproof vests? Unfortunately, unlike their human counterparts,

not every police dog is issued a K9 bulletproof vest as standard

. Most K-9 units are self-funded and the law enforcement agencies do not have the budget to purchase these life-saving vests for their canine members.

Who would win husky or German Shepherd?

German Shepherd vs Husky Strength

Both German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies are incredibly strong dogs. Because of their protection roles and police work, GSDs are recognized for their bite strength. However,

Huskies actually have a bite force of 320 psi, which is considerably stronger than the GSD's 238 psi

.

Who is smarter German Shepherd or Doberman?


Both breeds are highly intelligent

, alert and loyal, but there are some marked differences in personality. For example, German Shepherd puppies develop an early attachment to their owners and always want to please. Dobies, on the other hand, tend to be more aloof and are very intelligent.

What dog is better than GSD?

Generally, the Mal is healthier and has a longer lifespan of the two breeds. The

Belgian Malinois

generally has a longer lifespan than a German Shepherd. The GSD will often live for around 7-10 years (although sometimes longer), Malis often live to be about 12 – 14 years old.

Are Rottweilers used as police dogs?


Yes! They've actually served in police forces around the world for over a century

. When World War I hit, Rottweilers served with German police officers, becoming the fourth dog breed to be officially recognized as a police dog. Around this same time, Rotts came to be recognized as official military dogs.

Are German Shepherds aggressive?


The German Shepherd breed is known for their aggressive behaviors and tendencies

. In fact, they are often touted for this behavior and it is utilized to make good, strong guard dogs. This does not mean that you want to encourage this aggressive behavior as it can be incredibly dangerous.

Are Belgian Malinois German Shepherds?

Both the Malinois and German Shepherd are members of the Herding Group and can trace their origins to livestock herding dogs. As their names imply,

the Belgian Malinois was developed in Belgium and the German Shepherd in Germany

. The Malinois was one of four varieties of Belgian Shepherd Dog in use in the late 1800s.

What is a saddleback German Shepherd?

A Saddleback is just what it sounds like:

the black color looks like a saddle over the dogs' back and sides

. A blanket back is darker in color, and the black covers more of the dog's back and sides. Some black and tan dogs have minimal black covering their backs.

What is a bicolor German Shepherd?

Bicolor German Shepherd


A bicolor German Shepherd will have black and tan colors, but the black with be much more dominant here

. Almost the entire body will be black, with only a few areas such as the legs or chest displaying fur that ranges from tan to brown.

How rare is a silver German Shepherd?

Silver is

an uncommon color for GSDs

, possibly because it is a recessive gene. Similar to the dilution gene, this gene influences black pigment. While you also get silver sable German Shepherds, the patterned coats mean they are categorized as sable rather than silver.

Why do police use German Shepherds instead of Rottweilers?

While strength is an admirable trait for a police dog, it is also important to

reduce damages where possible during apprehension

. This makes the German Shepherd more suitable for suspect apprehension, in some cases. For these reasons, some police departments prefer the German Shepherd over the Rottweiler.

Who would win a pitbull or German Shepherd?

When you're talking about popularity,

the shepherd wins the battle hands down

. In the USA the German Shepherd is the 2nd most popular breed. The stats are quite impressive: out of 78.2 million dogs registered in the USA, shepherds account for 4.6% which is 3.5 million dogs.

What dog can beat a pitbull?

Are boy dogs more loving?


Male dogs are usually more affectionate than females

, and some positively crave human attention. You'll find it's always you who brings the cuddling and fussing to an end – he could happily go on like this all day!

How long do German Shepherds live?

9 – 13 years

Which is more protective a male or female German Shepherd?

Are Male or Female GSD's More Protective?

Males are considered more aggressive and protective

. Both males and females are known to bark to alert their family of people or other dogs in their yards or along the street.

What is the stupidest breed of dog?
  1. Afghan Hound. The Afghan Hound is the “dumbest” dog. …
  2. Basenji. Basenjis also make the list of dumbest dog breeds. …
  3. Bulldog. Bulldogs are known for their stubbornness. …
  4. Chow Chow. Chow Chows can also be difficult to train. …
  5. Borzoi. …
  6. Bloodhound. …
  7. Pekingese. …
  8. Beagle.

What is the most loyal dog?

  • of 15. Labrador Retriever. There's a reason Lucy is so loyal! …
  • of 15. Bulldog. …
  • of 15. Golden Retriever. …
  • of 15. German Shepherds. …
  • of 15. Beagle. …
  • of 15. Pug. …
  • of 15. Irish Setter. …
  • of 15. Brussels Griffon.

What is the hardest dog to train?

  1. Beagles. A Beagle has a nose for everything – literally. …
  2. Rottweiler. This one is a bit controversial, but here's the breakdown on this breed. …
  3. Siberian Husky. Most people would agree that a Siberian Husky is a gorgeous dog. …
  4. Basset Hound. …
  5. Chinese Shar-Pei. …
  6. Afghan Hound.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.