Crime + investigation
Who's a Good Boy (or Girl)?
Some of the dog breeds that serve and protect in law enforcement agencies around the world.
Getty Images/EyeEm PremiumSome dog breeds that serve and protect:
German Shepherds (above) are most widely used for their strength, intelligence, teachability, and obedience. Used in: narcotics, explosives, tracking, and apprehension.
Labrador Retrievers are used for tracking of humans, but not (as most lab owners would appreciate) for apprehension of suspects.
A dog stands amidst fallen leaves and branches in a wooded, autumnal setting.
A dog stands amidst fallen leaves and branches in a wooded, autumnal setting.
Belgian Malinois, aka the Belgian Shepard, is used as a working dog for detecting narcotics, explosives, and accelerants (in arson investigations), tracking humans and suspect apprehension.
A man in a uniform is interacting with a German shepherd dog near a large vehicle, with a plain background visible.
A man in a uniform is interacting with a German shepherd dog near a large vehicle, with a plain background visible.
Dutch Shepard: a herding dog originating in Holland used as a working dog for detecting narcotics, explosives, and tracking humans and suspect apprehension.
A wet, energetic German shepherd dog running through a shallow stream, surrounded by lush, green vegetation.
A wet, energetic German shepherd dog running through a shallow stream, surrounded by lush, green vegetation.
Giant Schnauzer: a working breed developed in Germany in the 1600s, originally used to drive livestock to market and as a guard dog. It became popular as a military dog in World Wars I and II. Used by police in odor detection of narcotics and explosives, and tracking humans and suspect apprehension.
A large, shaggy black dog stands on a lush, green lawn.
A large, shaggy black dog stands on a lush, green lawn.
Beagles are known for their noses and have been used to sniff out drugs and explosives.
Two individuals in orange shirts and khaki pants are walking a pack of beagles on a dirt path surrounded by grassy fields.
Two individuals in orange shirts and khaki pants are walking a pack of beagles on a dirt path surrounded by grassy fields.
Bloodhounds can track a specific person’s odor over great distances, and also locate explosives, drugs, and evidence.
The image shows several police officers standing near a police car in a wooded area, with one officer holding a leash attached to a police dog.
The image shows several police officers standing near a police car in a wooded area, with one officer holding a leash attached to a police dog.
To read more on dogs in law enforcement throughout the ages, read our post Canine Cops: Sit. Stay. Arrest!
Live PD: K9 Patrol
Police department K9 officers in action.
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Citation Information
- Article Title
- Who's a Good Boy (or Girl)?
- Author
- Maria Ricapito
- Website Name
- A&E
- Date Accessed
- October 21, 2026
- Publisher
- A&E Television Networks
- Last Updated
- July 16, 2026
- Original Published Date
- May 19, 2017
