The Most Common Police Dog Breeds Around the World

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If you weren't aware already, police dogs work for law enforcement in nearly every nation. However, the breeds, training methods, and public expectations around them vary widely. What dog breeds are used in police dog work, and why do countries only employ certain breeds? We spoke with dog trainer and animal behaviorist Teagan Coleman of NLR Dog Training to learn more.

Using her expertise, we've compiled a country-by-country tour of how K9 teams are selected, trained, and deployed in their police forces, followed by the global practices and emerging trends surrounding this unique realm.

United States: German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois

There's a reason why most U.S. agencies field German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois. "They combine stability, speed, and strong scenting ability," according to Coleman. Teams of these dogs complete months of obedience, tracking, detection, and apprehension before earning their certification, with annual or biannual re-tests.

Dogs are assigned to either dual-purpose patrol/detection roles or single-purpose detection roles, depending on their abilities, and typically live with their handlers to reinforce bonding and readiness. "Belgian Malinois are known as Malligators for a reason," Coleman said, "because their bite work is impressive and ideal for police work."

Germany: German Shepherd and Rottweiler

Modern police dogs around the world trace their roots to German programs that standardized temperament testing, nerve strength, and health screening. "The temperament of a working dog is vital to their success in the field," according to Coleman. And the temperaments of both German Shepherds and Rottweilers are ideal for careers in law enforcement.

German Shepherds are at the core of Germany's general service work, while Rottweilers, as well as Hovawarts, appear in smaller numbers and niche locations. Federal and state academies maintain uniform curricula and conduct recurring evaluations to ensure the dogs' social stability and control under stress.

Belgium: Belgian Malinois

As their namesake suggests, Belgium’s Malinois are prized for their intensity, agility, and environmental resilience. "This breed is known for its ability to keep a clear head under pressure," according to Coleman, and many foreign agencies import Belgian working lines because they mature into confident, controllable adult dogs suited to rapid urban deployments.

United Kingdom: German Shepherd, English Springer Spaniel, and Labrador Retriever

UK forces split their K9 units into general-purpose dogs and specialist detection teams. German Shepherds handle public order and pursuit, while spaniels and Labradors are in charge of firearms, explosives, and drug searches. Training in dense crowds is a must so teams can operate safely in transport hubs and stadiums under nationally recognized standards.

“It's all about breeding and training confidence in these working dogs,” according to Teagan Coleman, dog trainer and animal behaviorist with NLR Training.

France: Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd

French police dogs focus on scent imprinting, precise obedience under distraction, and confident movement through tight interiors. Malinois are bred to work patrol and intervention roles, with German Shepherds common in detection and public-order details.

Netherlands: Dutch Shepherd and Belgian Malinois

Dutch police programs are known for scenario-heavy training that produces dogs capable of independent problem-solving. "It's all about breeding and training confidence in these working dogs," according to Coleman. Dutch Shepherds and Malinois are selected for their balanced drives and stable nerves, then proven on slick floors, loud machinery, and crowds to build that confidence up.

Canada: German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever

Canada's police raise purpose-built German Shepherds for patrol, tracking, and wilderness searches. Labradors also serve their force, widely used as explosives and narcotics detectors due to their sociability and soft, public-safe indications. Teams train for snow, ice, and remote terrain, making endurance and cold-air scenting core competencies, given Canada's climate.

Australia: German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois

State police academies in Australia shape versatile patrol and detection dogs for the heat, open bush, and dense urban cores. Their training plans emphasize hydration, paw care, and safe vehicle deployment in extreme temperatures. Malinois are increasingly used in tactical roles, while shepherds continue to anchor general service.

South Africa: German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois

South Africa's K9 sections operate across city centers and bushveld, so dogs train for long tracks, rugged ground, and high-risk apprehensions. German Shepherds and Malinois are their go-to, "but bloodhounds and Labradors are occasionally used for scent detection," according to Coleman. Handler courses ensure these dogs and their handlers know how to read terrain and wind, and maintain control during dynamic arrests.

United Arab Emirates: Belgian Malinois and Bloodhound

UAE units actually pair Malinois for tactical missions and explosives work with bloodhounds for long-distance human-scent tracking. Training is intricate and incorporates scent chambers, obstacle systems, and heat-management protocols for desert conditions. Public demonstrations position K9s as advanced security assets and approachable community ambassadors, helping to establish them as staples in police operations.

India: German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Rajapalayam

Police and paramilitary forces in India rely on shepherds and Labradors for tracking and detection, with indigenous breeds like the Rajapalayam and Mudhol Hound trained for patrol in hot climates. National and state centers use reward-based methods in India's crowded markets, rail hubs, and border zones, with most work performed on foot for many hours each day.

China: Kunming Wolfdog

China has its own unique type of working dog known as the Kunming Wolfdog, developed from shepherd-type crosses. This breed serves as a robust multipurpose worker for both police and border units. Dogs perform patrol, narcotics and explosives detection, and disaster response alongside general security duties.

Japan: German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever

Japanese police train their dogs in public composure, precision obedience, and quiet, passive indications in crowded spaces. "Japan trains its dogs in the art of subtlety in a lot of ways," according to Coleman. German Shepherds handle tracking and patrol, while Labradors feature prominently in detection at airports and major stations. Indigenous breeds appear occasionally in outreach or specialized search, but imported working lines form the backbone of this police force.

South Korea: German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Jindo

South Korean agencies use German shepherds and Belgian Malinois for narcotics, explosives, and patrol, with their native Jindo used selectively for search, community liaison, and even ceremonial roles. Training aims to get their dogs comfortable navigating dense urban terrain such as subways and high-rises. Joint work with military schools helps standardize selection and certification, something South Korea prides its K9 unit for.

Spain: Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, and Spanish Water Dog

Spanish forces pair Malinois and shepherds for patrol and public order, while leveraging the Spanish Water Dog’s nose and agility for detection, as it is not nearly as imposing a breed. Deployments often involve historic districts, festivals, and crowded transit corridors, which is why ensuring confidence in these dogs is a must. They learn to switch between open-area searches and tight interior sweeps without losing indication quality.

Italy: German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador Retriever

Italian police and certain kennels train shepherds and Malinois for patrol and intervention, like many other countries. Labs are trained for scent work and public-facing roles as well. Training is all about absolute obedience, specific scenario work, and crowd-safe control to support both criminal investigations and high-visibility events. Regular recertification preserves performance standards across regional commands, making Italy's K9 unit a force to be reckoned with.

Israel: Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd

Israeli police need dogs well-versed in urban agility, fast target acquisition, and tight control in crowded spaces. Malinois and shepherds train for door work, explosives searches, and high-risk arrests with strict obedience amid loud, chaotic conditions. Rapid de-escalation is a must during training so dogs can pivot from brute force to public-facing duties.

Finland and Norway: German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois

While they use the same breeds as most other countries, Nordic K9 teams prepare for snow, ice, and mountainous terrain, making avalanche search, long-range scenting in cold air, and winter endurance core skills. Vehicle deployment in subzero conditions is a routine activity, and handlers are trained to read the wind and conserve dog energy on long calls. Community demos and high welfare standards help maintain public trust in these normally intimidating breeds.

How Training Philosophies Differ and Converge Among K9 Units

When it comes to how countries train their dogs, European programs prioritize environmental neutrality and precision under distraction, while North American agencies emphasize versatile dual-purpose teams for large, varied jurisdictions.

"Countries with hot climates have to build heat protocols into the dogs' daily training," according to Coleman, and those with cold climates invest in winter endurance and avalanche work. Across all systems and police work, early socialization, reward-based learning, and frequent recertification are necessary and vital to success.

Selection, Welfare, and Retirement

What happens when working dogs need to retire? Agencies screen their hips, elbows, eyes, and nerves before assigning dogs to specialties. "There are dog welfare standards that cover kennel design, transport safety, hydration, and work versus rest cycles," according to Coleman. Most programs retire dogs to their handlers or approved adopters, with periodic veterinary checks ensuring a safe transition from service to home life.

The Global Work of Police Canines

No matter the environment or job needed, successful K9 programs produce dogs that are environmentally neutral, controllable under stress, and able to communicate clearly with their handlers. Breeds can differ, but the overall goal of police dogs is consistent: reliable teams that can safeguard the public while meeting humane, modern standards for working dogs.

If you’ve ever been curious about police dog training, we here at NLR Training are happy to answer your questions. We are experienced in police training, bite work, and many other specialized training programs. Reach out today if you’re interested in helping your pup reach the next level!