A big number of us decided to welcome new puppies into our homes in the last couple of years – Kennel Club figures show dog ownership soared when the pandemic hit and post-lockdown demand for four-legged friends remains high.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
Of course, dogs don’t just make great pets – they also carry out a range of jobs, including working for law enforcement services.
The perfect police dog is intelligent, dedicated, hard working and able to understand and act on commands quickly and effectively.
In fact, they have a range of attributes that also make them a positive addition to any family home – as well as police station.
So, here are the 10 breeds of dog that make the best police dogs.
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5. Boxer
Boxers are a particularly popular breed of police dog in mainland Europe - particularly in Germany. They have a history of working in the military as guard, patrol and messenger dogs during both World Wars. With the perfect mix of intelligence, loyalty and eagerness to please, they are many an officer's best friend. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Bloodhound
The Bloodhound is in many ways the original police dog. Their incredible sense of smell means they have been used for centuries to find objects, suspects and missing people - tracking scent trails that can be days, or even weeks, old. They are particularly good at locating lost children due to their complete lack of aggression. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Labrador Retriever
K-9 officers don't come any friendlier than the adorable Labrador Retriever. Originally bred to sniff out felled birds during hunting expeditions, they now make excellent drug and bomb detection officers. They are particularly popular with police forces in the USA. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
One of the newer breeds in favour with law enforcement agencies, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is confident, fearless, athletic, fast, and sturdy. It's even been known for rescue Staffies to join the force, used largely for detecting and patrolling duties. Photo: Canva/Getty Images