What significance does the German Shepherd have as service dog?

Who does not recognize the police officer with the “four-legged colleague” at his side? The training of German Shepherds has a long tradition and still has a high significance for the authorities owning service dogs. Popular because of their versatility, willingness to work, toughness and endurance, many German Shepherds provide their service at police or customs all over Germany. The dog is usually acquired at the age of 1 – 2 years. Normally, the police carry out dual training, meaning: the basis is the protection dog training, followed by a subsequent specialized dog training (for example as human remains detection dog). During buying, special emphasis is put on the dogs being able to fulfill the requirements of this demanding training.

Customs train many specialist tracking dogs, such as for example explosives detection dogs, cash detection dogs, mantrailing dogs.

Also in the service for the human is the German Shepherd in the areas of therapy and guide dogs, as rescue dog for emergency response organizations for the searching of missed persons beneath rubble and avalanches.

Not to forget one of the German Shepherd’s most original „services“: shepherding sheep as reliable companion and helper of the shepherd!