How to Adopt A Retired Police Dog

Have you ever caught a police dog sniffing someone’s luggage and thought to yourself, “What does that suitcase have that I don’t?” Well, potentially a number of things; but if you are looking for a police dog to keep, there are options at your disposal. The most common police dogs are German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois, but there are numerous breeds also used.

Getting a police dog is not as simple as walking through your local shelter, however. You will have to find a dog that has not been adopted by their handler, has outlived their handler, or has not passed the proper certifications to become a police dog. The chances of you finding one in a rural village are not great, but with a bit of a drive you should have some success.

This article is going to cover how to adopt a retired police dog in a concise few sections that can be read and retained in five minutes or less. By the end of this quick run-through, you will have a clear idea of how to adopt a retired police dog, common breeds that fit the mold, and more.

What Are Police Dogs?

The collaboration of humans and canines has been going on for far longer than written history, and despite the incredible advancements in technology, dogs have still proven irreplaceable. When it comes to detecting unique and hard-to-detect scenes like explosives or drugs, apprehending fleeing fugitives, or even finding missing people, they are clearly best in show.

Their exceptional innate ability is impressive enough on its own, but they are also graduates of a fairly rigorous training program that only half of all dogs pass. Because of this, these dogs have achieved a level of discipline that would shock most casual canine observers. If you adopt a retired police dog, you will have a deeply focused and well-trained companion.

How to Adopt a Retired Police Dog

If you intend to get a retired police dog, you can expect it to be one of five common breeds. Typically, you will be adopting a German shepherd, a Belgian Malinois, a Dutch shepherd, a Labrador retriever, or a bloodhound. These dogs are not all created equal, and you should familiarize yourself with the breed well before bringing them into your house.

This is especially true of Belgian Malinois, which can very easily overwhelm even veteran dog owners.There are several foundations devoted to helping police handlers and re

tired police dogs, but little in the way of assistance for those looking to adopt a dog. Because of this, you will need to ensure that you do your due diligence and reach out to various police stations within driving distance. For obvious reasons, do not contact them on an emergency line.

You also have the option of contacting police dog training facilities to see if they offer any dogs that will be hanging up the blue collar or, regrettably, failing K-9 officer training. As we have discussed quite exhaustively, however, this will be a lengthy process, and do not be surprised or discouraged if you do not get a positive response in your first few calls.

Be aware that these dogs have lived very full lives, and some may show their baggage through unwanted actions like the occasional growl or nip, destructive behavior, or even PTSD. Similarly, these dogs know that they are physically capable. This can be a large issue if they decide to engage in a battle for dominance.

That being said, it is incredibly kind and compassionate of a person to take in a dog that has no home to return to. If a retired police dog is not adopted by its handlers or the handler passes away, giving them a comfortable life after a long career of service is a wonderful use of your time. We do not wish to discourage anyone, but to heavily suggest preparation beforehand.

Brief Summary on How to Adopt a Retired Police Dog

Getting a retired police dog will likely be hard work, but it is far from impossible. Reach out to police stations, training locations in your area or within driving distance, and be willing to spend hours or perhaps days for a potential candidate. Ensure that you know what you are signing up for, and research the breed in detail before you adopt a dog that can take down a grown man.