For many years now, public debate has continued about which dog breeds should be recognized as dangerous. Things got to the point where, within the framework of Russian jurisdiction, a state act was developed and adopted, which “popularly” is simply called: a prohibited list of 13 dog breeds on the list of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We’ll talk about why exactly so many species are banned, what danger these dogs pose, and what this law actually regulates in today’s article.
13 dog breeds on the Ministry of Internal Affairs list
English hound
The English hound has long, large ears; this feature makes the breed original in appearance. This is an excellent breed for police service as it is a disciplined, muscular and strong dog. This is almost the only breed that stands still and waits for the owner’s command to complete the task. The English hound was bred as a hunting dog, which, unlike the shorthaired pointer, hunted larger game than birds, for example, deer.
Labrador Retriever
This smart-faced dog breed is considered the friendliest, which is why it is so common among families with children or elderly people around the world. This smart dog with the character of a puppy will always come to the rescue and will serve faithfully. Despite the listed characteristics, Labradors are ideal for police service. The dog will easily find explosives, drugs, and will be the eyes and ears of the policeman. You need to be a brave and selfless dog to find bombs.
Do dogs have a pension?
Many people wonder, what if dogs have a pension? The average service life of dogs in police and paramilitary units is 6–7 years. In developed countries, dogs that have served their purpose are retired and remain in government care for the rest of their lives.
Special hotels or family-type shelters are created to keep dogs. People who undertake to care for elderly four-legged animals receive impressive subsidies and benefits.
In Russia, not all police dogs are awarded retirement. Dogs that have served their purpose are “written off”, but there is no place to adequately keep them. Many dogs are lucky to find a new family or live out their old age with a trainer.
Giant Schnauzer
A large dog already benefits due to its size and can easily detain a criminal. Few people would be afraid of a small decorative dog, but a giant schnauzer by its very appearance evokes fear and respect. The Schnauzer has long hair on its face and looks like a retired general with many years of service and a long track record behind him. The dog is ideal for police service due to its height, body length, sharp teeth, powerful jaw, courage and loyalty. In addition, the dog is highly trainable.
Doberman Pinscher
It is very difficult to teach an adult dog new tricks and commands, but the Doberman is a dog that learns throughout its life. This is a medium-sized dog, ideal for police service. The Dobie, as this breed is affectionately called, is an athletic and graceful dog, light in weight, but with excellent speed and physical characteristics. These dogs are valued by the police because they are real bloodhounds, hunters and have the stamina that is necessary when tracking or chasing a criminal.
The powers of the dog handler
Dog handlers in the police are exactly the same as employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, therefore they are endowed with the same rights as their colleagues who work without dogs.
Their main powers:
- requiring citizens to stop illegal actions;
- checking documents and personal searches of citizens if there is information that they may be wanted or involved in committing crimes;
- requiring citizens to leave the scene of a crime or offense to conduct investigative actions;
- the use of dogs to detain persons suspected of involvement in crimes.
An important point: police dog handlers are financially responsible persons.
If a dog on the books of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dies due to the neglect or improper care of its guardian, then he is obliged to compensate for the damage and pay the cost of the animal, which can reach up to 30,000 rubles.
Belgian Tervuren
The Belgian Tervuren is not a traditional breed, and its name also has a root from the word “terror” (fear), which is exactly what it was supposed to evoke. Everyone is afraid of a big dog, even if he is kind at heart. A Tervuren is a long-haired dog that looks like a wolf, and therefore, as people thought, it is as ferocious as a wolf. But, in fact, this is a kind and friendly dog, but which behaves like a wolf or a lion if necessary to protect the owner. The Tervuren is a good watchdog and search dog.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are known for their aggressive behavior and energetic nature. While not the biggest dog on this list, he is without a doubt the bravest attack dog that will make the ground burn under the feet of a criminal. He can easily bite off your finger. A criminal will think twice about his actions when meeting a Rottweiler. Taking into account the fighting and aggressive qualities of the dog, which he shows even in puppyhood, during training and training, emphasis is placed on discipline. You must be extremely strict and careful with this dog.
Personal qualities
To become a good dog handler, it is not enough to graduate from a special educational institution and receive a diploma. To work with dogs you need a special character and a set of personal qualities, without which it will be very difficult to interact with animals.
A police dog handler must have the following qualities:
- patience;
- hard work;
- endurance and self-control;
- desire to help people.
There is no place for irritable and hot-tempered people in this field. Also, the dog handler must become a leader and leader for his ward, otherwise the dog will simply refuse to follow commands and obey his mentor.
Another important point is the absence of allergies to wool.
German Shepherd
The best breed of dog ideal for police service is the German Shepherd. In terms of his psychotype, he is a “boss”. Yes, not only people have personality, but dogs too. The shepherd behaves like a comrade, like a family member who understands everything, but cannot speak. This is a very smart and wise dog. The breed has acquired many positive qualities throughout its selection. The German Shepherd is ideal for police service for various reasons, including the ability to attack with lightning speed and immobilize the enemy. Basically, they are trained to search for and apprehend criminals. This dog, following a command, will not stop in front of obstacles in the form of high fences, water, etc. But even the bravest dog will need protection in the form of an anti-parasitic collar,
which you can do yourself.
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What is it for?
The German Shepherd is currently considered the most common breed for working breeding. She has a special mind and is well trained, so she can follow the commands of any person. This is a huge plus for patrol units.
This breed is universal. She may be:
- an excellent companion dog;
- detective security;
- protective and guard dog.
In livestock farming, he actively plays the role of a shepherd dog. It is already difficult to imagine the army and military, police and state border protection without representatives of this breed.
What breeds of dogs serve in the Russian police?
A dog is man's best friend not only in everyday life, but also in the fight against crime. In June, Russian dog handlers celebrated their professional holiday. 110 years ago - on June 21, 1909 - the first kennel of police detective dogs in Russia was opened in St. Petersburg, and since then they have been valiantly catching criminals and maintaining public order.
Currently, there are about 200 canine centers and about 14,500 dog handlers in Russia. According to the head of the Center for Canine Support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, police colonel Sergei Kachkin, in 2022 and the first quarter of 2022 dogs helped solve thousands of crimes, including 500 murders, 725 intentional inflictions of grievous bodily harm, 21,000 thefts, 3,628 robberies, 1,330 robberies, 11,662 drug crimes and 1,664 violations related to illegal trafficking in weapons, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices.
For more than a hundred years, the main tasks of dogs have not changed at all: they still participate in search work, protecting people and detaining criminals. And as dog experts say, almost any dog, regardless of breed, can be trained to search and work as a police officer. The main thing is that she has the ability and interest in such work. Despite this, there are some dog breeds that are found most often in the Russian police.
German Shepherds
German shepherds have historically been and remain the main assistants of Russian police officers - they are universal dogs and make up approximately half of all detective dogs in Russia. They are equally good at detecting explosives and drugs and are ideal for apprehending and escorting criminals. Plus, shepherds are sometimes better suited to working in difficult weather conditions. As a dog handler from Novosibirsk says, Rottweilers, for example, are not suitable for Siberian conditions, but shepherd dogs feel more comfortable there.
Belgian Malinois dogs
Over the past few years, Belgian Shepherds have also been gaining popularity among the Russian police. By temperament, Belgian Shepherds are choleric, very active and able to work. They are distinguished by a high desire to work and endurance.
“(These) animals require special attention,” says Sergei Kachkin. “They don’t always forgive the dog handler’s mistakes, as happens, for example, with German shepherds. Nevertheless, I can say: the level of training of these dogs in the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs is growing every day and the number of Belgian Shepherds is constantly increasing.”
East European Shepherd
Garson and dog handler Larisa Vladimirovna.
Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Voronezh Region
A breed of service dogs that was created in the 1930s in the USSR for service in the Red Army in various climatic conditions and for the needs of the national economy. They are balanced, self-confident, but distrustful of strangers. For its heroism, the East European Shepherd was dubbed the most patriotic dog. During the Second World War, these dogs were mine detectors, messengers, and then were used for service on the borders, in rescue work and to protect people and their property. East European Shepherds are widely used in Russia in departmental services to protect objects and territories, search for explosives and narcotic substances, detain and escort violators, as well as for work in the border troops, police, and metro security service.
How does employment work?
After studying at colleges and universities, graduates are faced with the question: how to get a job as a dog handler.
How it happened for me: I just went to the nearest police station and found out if they had any vacancies. I was offered to work with dogs. I agreed.
Candidates for the position of dog handler must pass:
- military medical commission (MMC);
- psychological examination and polygraph (CPD).
If a person is suitable for health and moral and psychological qualities, he is accepted for an internship. After successfully passing the certification, the police dog handler receives a puppy, with whom he works until it grows up. That’s when the difficult work life of an Interior Ministry employee and his faithful partner begins.
Professional dog handlers prepare police dogs for work.
Especially often, there are special centers where dogs are trained to work in various areas:
- — search for narcotic drugs;
- — search for firearms and explosives;
- — search for the criminal;
- - detention of criminals.
Often, police dogs are used to patrol the city, since in this case the dog has a psychological effect and helps reduce the aggressiveness of offenders.
Historical excursion
The concept of a police dog first began to be used in 1893. The potential of man's four-legged friends was noticed and revealed by the founder of criminology, the famous Hans Gross. According to him, the search for a criminal using a dog’s scent significantly speeds up the search for a criminal.
For the first time, police dog training began in Germany. Animals have been used in more than 400 law enforcement departments. The result exceeded all expectations. After the work, representatives from other countries became interested in specially trained animals.
Breeds
Dog handlers believe that any dog can be trained for police service if it shows interest in completing tasks and commands. But, nevertheless, there are the most popular breeds of dogs that are trained for police service.
- German Shepherds
German Shepherds are most often found in the ranks of the police, as they are universal representatives who are highly trainable, show high performance in searching for explosives, narcotics, etc., and are also suitable for detaining or accompanying criminals. The Shepherd has sufficient intelligence, strength, dexterity, and speed of reaction.
Thanks to their dense coat and endurance, German Shepherds can easily withstand the harsh Siberian climate, therefore, they are able to do work all year round.
- Belgian Malinois dogs
Dog companions
My pets are German shepherds Gretta (7 years old) and Maya (2.5 years old).
Gretta was given to me when she was 1 month old. I have been raising Maya since she was 2 months old. Gretta is trained to search and detect explosives, weapons and ammunition. Maya is a tracking dog.
Dogs are either taken from breeders or are bred at the base of the deployment. Main breeds: German, Belgian Shepherds, Spaniels and Labradors.
The most active and courageous puppy from the litter is chosen.
To do this, they conduct a simple test - throw a bunch of keys on the floor. A puppy that doesn't run away but comes up and sniffs the keys is considered an ideal candidate.
Relationships become friendly when there is good contact between the dog handler and the dog. Dogs are assigned to a police officer from the age of 2 months. If conditions permit, the dog handler keeps the puppy at home, feeds it, walks it, and teaches the simplest commands. The more interaction, the stronger the connection.
A one-year-old dog from a competent dog handler follows the general training course and knows how to search for and identify target odors. It all depends on the person and his desire to practice.
70% of a dog’s successful work is good genetics, the remaining 30% is the dog handler’s efforts in training.
By order, the dog serves for 8 years. But you can extend the service for a year. To do this, she must pass an aptitude exam.
After decommissioning, the dog is picked up by a dog handler, if there is an opportunity and desire to keep it at home. Or a former police officer is handed over to civilians.
If you want to train your dog yourself, start with home training tips.
The police dog handler independently organizes the work, guides his four-legged partner, identifies dangerous situations and draws appropriate conclusions. The dog acts as a “weapon” and a tool that must be directed in the right direction.
Group recruitment, training
Dogs are recruited for service in several ways:
- - on the territory of the department there may be a kennel where dogs are bred specifically to prepare for service in the police;
- — the dog handler can provide his dog for work;
- — local residents can provide a dog for service.
Dog training begins at the age of 45 days.
The first stage of training takes 6 months. During this time, the puppy is adapted to new conditions, taught basic commands, accustomed to communicating with people, taught not to pay attention to loud and unexpected sounds, taught not to get lost in a crowd on the street, etc.
After six months of training, the dog is tested to determine its resistance to irritants, and its overall behavior is assessed.
If the dog does not pass the exam, then re-testing is scheduled after six months.
If the puppy does not pass the re-examination, it is considered unsuitable for police service, after which a family is selected for it as a pet dog.
In recent years, the training of service dogs has become more humane, so the training program has been completely modified.
Dogs are most often trained to work in a specific direction so that they can do one task well, moving away from versatility.
Police dog training takes place in two ways:
The dog must perform its service with joy and desire, therefore, these training methods are used for this.
A police dog must not be afraid of anything, behave calmly in the face of any external stimuli, and also act strictly according to commands.
Dog handler salary and bonuses
My official salary is 13 thousand rubles. The final salary depends on the rank and various allowances, such as the regional coefficient and length of service.
A 20% premium is awarded for the care and maintenance of a service dog. When working with a dog trained to work with explosives, an additional 40% compensation is added for threats to life in peacetime.
Awards are given twice a year. They depend on the employee’s performance. Also paid are financial assistance, “lift” benefits for employees who transferred from the districts to the city, and compensation for renting housing to nonresidents.
