Hurricane and Jordan, the Secret Service dogs that caught the White House fence-jumper, are Belgian Malinois, a breed ideally suited for law enforcement. While a dog of just about any pedigree can be trained for police work, these are the most common breeds: Read related article
Patrol and detection dogs
These two breeds make up the majority of military and police dogs because they are quick and powerful enough to catch and hold a suspect and driven enough to be good scent trackers. Other common breeds
Most other patrol dogs come from one of these four breeds, but suit - ability for police work varies more widely within the breed. Patrol jobs involve tracking as well as protection and running down suspects. Detection involves looking for a single scent, such as explosives, drugs or even cellphone components. Specialists
Some law enforcement duties require dogs that work well in crowds of people. Belgian Malinois German shepherd Dutch shepherd Doberman pinscher Rottweiler
Bouvier des Flandres Labrador/ golden retriever 22-26 inches Naturally protective but not overly aggressive, Mali- nois are agile, driven and work- loving. They are social and operate well with multiple handlers. Two coats of hair allow them to adapt to a wide range of climate conditions. 22-26 inches Energetic, fun- loving, yet fear- less and loyal to handlers, they are specifically bred for military and law enforce - ment work. Stockier bodies and longer hair serve them well in various climates. 23-26 inches Loyal, hard- working and extremely active, they are often mistaken for German shep - herds. They require a lot of physical and mental exercise. 24-28 inches A combination of speed, endurance, loyalty and intelligence makes them excellent guard dogs. Their short, thin coat is not suited to cold weather. 22-26 inches Smart, territorial and hard working, Rottweilers are not fond of strangers. They are prone to health issues that make many unsuitable for patrol work. 23.5-27.5 inches These fuzzy dogs are obedient, even-tempered and known for their tracking ability. Health and personality variations mean you have to find “the perfect one,” trainers say. 21.5-24 inches When a friendly face is required, it’s hard to go wrong with the country’s most popular breed. These powerful, intelligent dogs work well in crowded detection situations, such as in airports or at public gatherings. Avg. shoulder height and suitability
SOURCE: K9 Global Training Academy; Russ Hess, national executive director of the U.S. Police Canine Association; American Kennel Club; North American Dutch Shepherd Rescue. GRAPHIC: Bonnie Berkowitz and Richard Johnson - The Washington Post.
