They began as herding dogs, and the breed became all but extinct when railways started hauling mass amounts of animals from one place to the next. Thankfully for we who love our Rotties in this generation, the breed didn’t become extinct because they began being used as Guard Dogs and Police Dogs. Learning this got me to wondering. Are Rottweilers still used as police dogs?
Yes, Rottweilers ARE still used as Police Dogs! But, where and how are they used today? Surprisingly, it wasn’t the easiest research to do. A plethora of contradictory information came up when I typed in my simple keywords!
I had to dig deep to answer the question, “Are Rottweilers Still Used as Police dogs?” My diligence paid off! I’ll tell you what I found out…
Without question, the most widely used dog by Police Forces across the world is the German Shepherd Dog (GSD). But with over-breeding and inbreeding, the GSD breed is beginning to exhibit some deterioration in quality both physically and in temperament. The Rottweiler is an excellent alternative for police work!
DID YOU KNOW? Rottweilers have a history of being used by the United States Military as messenger dogs. For both World Wars, Rotties were sent from base to base to deliver messages.
What Makes Rottweilers Good Candidates for Being Police-Dogs?
Police work is some of the toughest work out there, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Both human candidates and canine candidates for police work must possess certain physical traits, as well as mental traits, to be considered for the position. Here are 5 traits that make Rottweilers a desirable breed for police work:
- Intelligence: Rottweilers rank in the top ten breeds for canine intelligence on every list I have found! Known for their stoicism, exceptional perception, bravery, and unwavering loyalty, it just makes sense that when properly trained, they are a desirable breed for police work!
- Strength: As I walk my Rottweiler, Maximus, each day, I am always amazed at his strength! He is built like a small tank, solid muscle. A healthy Rottie has incredible strength, and strength is essential for K-9 police work! A police dog can walk miles in a single day!
- Stamina: Some police work can have a Rottweiler “on the go” until an investigation is complete, just like their human police partners. Strength and stamina go hand in hand, and Rottweilers feature both traits in abundance. Most Rottweiler owners can tell you (I know I can!) that their Rottie’s stamina can often outlast their own.
- Size: Depending on sex and pedigree (a Rottweiler’s family history) a Rottweiler will grow to weigh between 75 pounds and a whopping 130 pounds (34-58 kilograms)! If the Rottie’s owner has paid careful attention to proper nutrition and exercise for their pet, this weight is bulk muscle, and not fat. An adult Rottie will stand from 22-27 inches tall when they are done growing!
- Loyalty: Another thing any Rottweiler owner can tell you is that their Rottie is 100% loyal to their humans and what they perceive as their territory. A Rottweiler’s goal is to please their humans. When a Rottie wears a K-9 badge, his partner in the police force is his human, and that loyalty is essential in helping to keep his officer safe. Loyalty and obedience are two character traits that make an officer stand out in his unit, be he human or canine.
DID YOU KNOW? A Rottweiler isn’t considered “fully grown” until between his second and third years of life.
Who Uses Rottweilers on Their Police Force?
The history of dogs in the military and in law enforcement dates back to the medieval period! The very first Official K-9 Unit was commissioned in London, England in 1889. Rotties have police work in their history as far back as the mid 19th century. Rottweilers are friendly toward those they know, and cautious and alert around strangers, making them excellent at policing! They are employed in France, Germany Belgium, and Australia, as well as in the United States and worldwide.
DID YOU KNOW? The first breed of dog used for “official” police business was the Bloodhound. There were two of them working the “Jack the Ripper” case in 1888!
Why are Some Opposed to Rottweilers Being Police Dogs?
Many Rottweiler owners, trainers, and handlers are opposed to Rottweilers being employed by the police force.
One concern is that the role will perpetuate the myth that Rotties are a “Bully Breed”. Rottweilers have been unfairly included in this category partly because of how Hollywood has portrayed them in movies and how media sensationalizes stories when a Rottie does attack.
Others oppose Rottweilers in police work because they have the potential to attack a criminal with brute force. These opposers believe a Rottie attack can be “overkill” in a “take-down” of a suspect.
DID YOU KNOW? A Rottweiler has a bite force of over 300 pounds (136 kilograms) per square inch! You can learn more about a Rottweiler’s bite force HERE.
What are the Duties of a Rottweiler Police Dog?
Like their human partners in police work, Rottweilers can have generalized patrol duties or specialized duties. An officer who walks a beat surely has a more imposing presence in the street with a 100+ pound Rottie strolling by his side!
Because of their superior intelligence, Rottweilers are excellent candidates for drug detection, bomb detection, and search and rescue missions.
DID YOU KNOW? There are actually competitions for dogs who are trained for “tracking”. Because a Rottweiler can track a human scent for miles, they do very well at these competitions.
Can You Train Your Rottweiler to do Police Work?
Police Dogs require specialized and professional training, either from within the Police Department or from an outside facility. However, you can do your part in training a pup who is destined to go on to that professional training.
Your part involves ensuring your Rottie has proper nutrition and hydration from his weaning. Additionally, it is your part to make sure your Rottie receives adequate medical and healthcare.
Furthermore, you will need to socialize your Rottie from the youngest age possible. This includes (but is not limited to) exposing him frequently to new people, places, and other animals
DID YOU KNOW? People take in a Rottweiler Puppy destined for police work and provide foster care until the Rottie is old enough to attend a Canine Police Academy. In this case, your part is critical to the future successes of the dog. It can be hard though, to love a Rottie and then have to say good-bye!
Learning about Rottweilers being used as police dogs was fun and informative for me to research, and I hope you found it so, as well. Sometimes I wonder if there’s ANYTHING this amazing dog breed CAN’T do! I think I’ll keep my Max right here at home with me instead of filling out job applications for him, LOL!
Related Topics…
What Other Jobs can Rottweilers Perform?
The Rottweiler breed has a rich history! Romans brought Rottweilers with them when they came to settle in Rottweil, Germany. It was there that Rotties got their “official” name and were first registered as a breed. It is believed the first Rottie migrated to the United States with their humans in the 1920s. Since their recorded history, Rottweilers have held these jobs:
- Herder
- Money Movers
- Guard Dog
- Service Dog
- Therapy Dog
- Hunter
- Fighter: THE JOB NO ANIMAL SHOULD HOLD!!!
Perhaps the most important job Rottweilers have held throughout history, though, is being a loyal and loving companion to the humans that love them. You can learn more about the jobs Rotties do right here at Rottie Resource!
Simply utilize our convenient search bar and type in the job Rotties can do that interest you. The only thing you will not find information about is dogfighting. I don’t condone it, and I support every effort to see it banned with harsher punishments for the humans behind it!
Top Ten Dog Breeds Used for Police Work
- German Short- Haired Pointer
- Bloodhound
- Labrador Retriever
- Boxer
- Dutch Shepherd
- Doberman Pinscher
- Belgian Malinois
- Bull Mastiff
- Rottweiler
- German Shepherd
Now that you’ve learned some of the things Rotties do for work, you may want to read “Things Rottweilers Like to do For FUN”
*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
