police dog

Dogs were first trained for police work at the turn of the 20th century in Ghent, Belg., and the practice was soon adopted elsewhere. Although certain breeds with especially keen senses have been used for special purposes—such as detecting caches of illegal drugs…

recruited for police work because of their exceptionally keen sense of smell. The dogs possess 230 million–300 million scent receptors, which is about 40 times that of humans and the highest number among dog breeds. This superior olfactory capacity enables the breed to expertly follow…

…Shepherds are widely favored for police work because of their intellect, willingness to work, and unique physical attributes. These traits make them ideal for the rigorous training associated with canine police patrols. Their keen noses allow them to excel in detecting illegal drugs and explosives.