Man's best friend is also a best friend of the public.
Police have been using dogs in law enforcement in the United States for more than 40 years. In Seattle, more than a dozen canines protect and serve alongside the police department. Though the most commonly trained dog for regular patrol work is the German Shepherd, other breeds are often also used, including the Labrador Retriever, Belgian Malinois, and Dutch Shepherd. Certain breeds are more skilled at certain tasks, like detecting illegal drugs, sniffing out explosives, and tracking people.
Additional reporting by Jordan Stead/SEATTLEPI.com via ViewFind