These New Police Puppy Recruits Will Melt Your Heart

We’d wager a bet that you’ve never seen any cuter police recruits than these sweet puppies. Police dogs come in a variety of breeds, and they must have the intelligence, energy, and awareness to be on the police force. For dogs like these labradors, key personality traits help them become highly skilled in crime-fighting tactics, but for now, they’re just super cute and oh-so-snuggly.

Let’s learn more about what it takes to become a police pup.

How Do Police Recruit Dogs For the K-9 Unit?

It’s no small feat choosing the right dog for the job. Many species suit the needs of K-9 units for different reasons. Some units look for unique traits in a breed, but the most common are:

• German Shepherds
• Bloodhounds
• Labarodors
• Belgian Malinois
• Dutch Shepherds
• Rottweilers
• Beagles
• Doberman Pinchers

The German shepherd is the most common of all these breeds, although labradors are a close contender. Labradors like those in this post are easy to train, have exceptional smell, present a friendly demeanor, and are eager to please. Not every department requires these exact traits, but many police dog attributes overlap across breeds. The main quality a police handler looks for is play drive. This determines how eager the dog is to please and get rewarded for a well-done job. Highly trainable breeds are a universal necessity in K-9 units.

How Early Are Puppies Recruited?

Puppies are recruited anywhere from a year to a year and a half. This is the prime age for training and ensures the dog will have plenty of time to learn. Certain breeds are highly amenable to training with the right incentive, and doing this as puppies makes it even easier. If a puppy is recruited too soon, it can lack the maturity to understand commands. If it’s recruited after two years, it may not be as eager to learn the ropes.

Early recruiting ensures that puppies have a long, happy, and healthy life on the police force. Dogs in the K-9 unit usually work for eight years before retiring from the police department. Depending on their health, some dogs retire as early as six years old or may work for as many as nine years.

How Long Does Training Take?

Police training for a dog depends on several factors, including breed, age, and motivation. On average, K-9 training lasts anywhere from eight months to one year. During this time, dogs undergo training in:

• On- and off-leash obedience
• Agility
• Apprehension of runaways
• Recovering evidence
• Odor detection

Dogs also train with their handlers, who also go through individual training. Team training takes place after a dog’s training, and is where the two will hone their collective skills. However, training doesn’t end after the one-year mark. Dogs and handlers continue learning together throughout their full-time in the police service. The bond between handler and K-9 dog is so strong that it’s not uncommon for a dog to retire to its handler’s home.

Before a dog enters the field, they must pass an evaluation. This final test evaluates both handler and pup to determine if training has been successful. After they both graduate, they enter the field immediately following the one-year training period. If a dog doesn’t pass training, the police department will find a suitable home. Sometimes, failed dogs get an ultimate happy ending and go home to live with their trainers.