Police dogs undergo meticulous selection and intense training for vital tasks, including search and rescue, drug detection, bomb squad support, and apprehending suspects.

But if the wrong breed gets selected, even the best training won't result in a great police dog. A recent investigation by iHeartdogs.com sheds light on the top 7 police dog breeds, each bringing unique qualities and invaluable contributions to law enforcement work.

1. German Shepherd.

This breed is known for its intelligence, courage, and versatility. German Shepards are strong, have a keen sense of smell, and can adapt to many roles in law enforcement, from patrol to specialized detection work, according to the iHeartdogs.com article.

2. Belgian Malinois

This breed is like a German Shepherd but has a lighter build, making it skilled in tasks that demand endurance and quick reflexes, like capturing fleeing suspects or conducting search-and-rescue missions, according to the article. These dogs have a strong work ethic and can follow complex commands, which is why they are commonly chosen for agile, fast, and intelligent tasks, the article notes.

3. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers excel as narcotics and explosives detection dogs because of their friendly nature, calm demeanor and exceptional sense of smell, the article notes. Labs' patience and adaptability are crucial in public areas or stressful conditions, according to iHeartdogs.

4. Dutch Shepherd

Dutch Shepherds are intelligent, athletic, and versatile, making them as capable in police work as German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois, according to the article. They excel in obedience, agility, patrol, search and rescue, and detection duties due to their herding abilities, resilience, and adaptability, the article notes.

5. Bloodhound

This breed has an unmatched sense of smell, making them the top choice for tracking, the article notes. The report states that they are valuable for search-and-rescue missions and tracking missing persons or fugitives because they can follow scent trails for miles over challenging terrain.

6. Rottweiler

Strength, loyalty, and a protective nature make Rottweilers excellent guard and police dogs, according to the article. The report states that they are often used for suspect apprehension and property protection because of their intimidating presence and fearlessness. Rottweilers are smart, trainable, and excel under pressure, iHeartdogs reported.

7. Boxer

Strength, agility, and a fearless nature make boxers a good choice for police work, iHeartdogs reported. Boxers’ high energy levels and intelligence make them suitable for a range of tasks such as search and rescue, narcotics detection, and K9 patrol units, according to the report.