Are most police dogs male?

[Knight]

I have always wondered this. If so, why?

[Miikkas mom]

Originally Posted by Knight

I have always wondered this. If so, why?

There is a K9 officer that lives right down there street. His dog is a female - not a GSD though. I believe it's a maloise(? spelling).

[Chris Wild]

Yes, most, but certainly not all, are male. As far as why.. males are larger and stronger (and thus more intimidating), the temperament traits needed for patrol work are more commonly found in males, males don't go through heat cycles which can interfere with training and work, and frankly there is pretty commonly a certain degree of macho factor involved in police and military work which equates to a good number of departments, trainers and handlers being more drawn to males just because they are perceived as being more manly.

[Rerun]

Might the females with the criteria desired be held back for breeding, and thus not hitting the streets?

[Liesje]

Originally Posted by Knight

I have always wondered this. If so, why?

I would guess for several reasons: not having to deal with heat cycles; males tend to be large, more masculine, and thus more menacing; I've heard some people say that in their experience males tend to show more power and courage in their work, and females can be more of a challenge because they tend to be less forgiving of handler mistakes. I'm not sure if these generalizations are true. I prefer males but couldn't really tell you why.

[Miikkas mom]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Might the females with the criteria desired be held back for breeding, and thus not hitting the streets?

Actually, that’s very possible. The K9 officer that lives near us has more than one dog. I just heard through the grapevine that the dog was a female, but who knows (I dont know the guy personally). When I take walks we’ll walk past his house. I know when he’s home w/the dogs because his K9 vehicle (a big Suburban) is parked out front of his house. He lives on a corner lot so I can peek into his backyard and see the kennels. There are sometimes 3 or 4 dogs back there.

[KZoppa]

all the ones i've seen are males but i know one of the PD back home accepts only females into their K9 programs. But the females they accept are pretty well built like males too but more fierce. Its a preference thing but most prefer males for easier handling and no heat cycles lol.

[TitonsDad]

All the K9 dogs here in Colorado Springs are male. The Sheriff's office got their 3 males from the same breeder and the city 9 teams all of which consists of males.

[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by TitonsDad

All the K9 dogs here in Colorado Springs are male. The Sheriff's office got their 3 males from the same breeder and the city 9 teams all of which consists of males.

OMG!!! How is Co Spgs? I miss home so much!!!! One of the PD in Denver i believe is the one with all females. Not for sure. Its been a couple years since i knew for sure. they may have gotten some males.

[Jessiewessie99]

I am not sure abour LAPD, but I am pretty sure most are males after looking at their site. The guy around the block from is a Police Officer and has a male GSD(I heard he was a police officer) Someone near my college has a police dog, not sure the breed or the gender, I know they have one is because they have th police car in the drive way and it says "K9 Keep Away"

My friend has 2 police officers near who have trained police dogs, I believe they are GSDs also. I can see why Police Deparments prefer males over females. No heat cycles more macho looking.