Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the frequently asked questions we receive and the response for each:

Do the Police Service Dogs live at home with their handler?
Yes. They live at home with the handlers but not indoors. They are provided their very own dog house that is placed in a dog run. This is essential as rest and recuperation is required on the dogs’ days off due to the physical demands at work.

How old are the dogs when they retire?
The assessment is made on an individual basis but generally the Police Service Dogs are between eight to 10 years old when they are retired from active service.

What age are the dogs when you start training?
We usually start training between one and two years of age.

What happens to the Police Service Dog once they retire?
Our Police Service Dogs are retired to the handler and their family where they can enjoy a well-deserved peaceful and pampered life.

How long does it take to train a Police Dog?
All of our Police Service Dogs are considered general purpose dogs, which means they are trained to track, search buildings and open areas. They are trained in agility, evidence searches, handler protection and criminal apprehension. This takes approximately three to four months of training.

Why are German Shepherds chosen for police work?
German Shepherds are chosen due to their temperament, intelligence, strength, courage, versatility and their superior olfactory senses which is ideal for tracking and locating missing or wanted subjects.

The German Shepherd’s coat is well suited for our weather and they are good all-round working dogs with excellent drive and physical capabilities.

Do they need to smell an article of clothing before they track to find someone?
No. The Police Service Dogs smell skin particles and track the freshest scent at a scene