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 Premium
Published: May 19, 2017Last Updated: July 16, 2026

Some 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

Live PD: K9 Patrol

Police department K9 officers in action.

Related Features:

What Did Harvey Weinstein Do? A Timeline of the Accusations, Trials and Convictions

The Hollywood producer stands convicted of multiple sexual felonies.

15m read

D4vd Case: Rapper Faces Trial in Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Killing

Did the rising music star kill a 14-year-old girl?

6m read

What the FBI Found Inside the Unabomber’s Montana Cabin

Ted Kaczynski lived in isolation in a home he built before his 1996 arrest.

5m read

Ted Kaczynski's Neighbor Reveals Details About the Unabomber's Isolated Montana Life

Jaime Gehring shares details about growing up next to the domestic terrorist.

7m read

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! A&E reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

Citation Information

Article Title
Who's a Good Boy (or Girl)?
Website Name
A&E
Date Accessed
September 24, 2026
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
July 16, 2026
Original Published Date
May 19, 2017
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement