Law enforcement agencies typically purchase K-9s from trainers or dealers who acquire them from Europe, where legacy blood lines have been long established. Breeds most commonly used for detection and apprehension include the Belgian Malonois, German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd, and a variety of Labradors. Dogs can be single purpose (for apprehensions) or dual purpose for apprehensions and detection for narcotics, explosives, or cadavers. Read "K-9 Training Challenges" for more detail. Photos provided by Becki and John Johnston of AceK9.com .
Police Dogs
A Belgian Malinois waits to be released in North Carolina.
A German Shepherd K-9 who serves in Boynton Beach, Fla.
Rocket, a Golden Retriever, serves Los Angeles as an arson K-9.
Major is a Belgian Malinois serving in Montana.
A German Shepherd holding in a down at obedience training.
Becki is a Chocolate Labrador serving the Riverside (Calif.) PD. Becki is an accelerant K-9.
A Belgian Malinois with the International Police Work Dog Association.
Loken is a German Shepherd K-9 serving in Oakland County, Mich.
A Dutch Shepherd ready for action.
Ecco is a German Shepherd K-9 with the U.S. Police Canine Association.
Scout is a German Shepherd K-9 serving the Cincinnati PD.
A Shepherd gets encouragement from his handler.
Argo is a German Shepherd serving Delaware County, Ohio.
This Dutch Shepherd serves in Lake Tahoe, Calif.
This Golden Labrador is certified for cadaver detection.
A Belgian Malinois cadaver K-9 "walks" on water.
This K-9 copper is a Bloodhound pup from Utah.
A high-flying Belgian Malinois with the Idaho Police Canine Association.
A Golden Labrador visits the memorial for fellow K-9s at the Pentagon.
A Belgian Malinois stands at attention in Lake Tahoe, Calif.