Posted on 09/22/2015 12:12:45 PM PDT by Kartographer
A 9-year-old police dog named Rex is ready to retire from the force. That presents a quandary for the Albuquerque, N.M., police department: what to do with a devoted and capable dog whose law enforcement training makes it a challenge to find him a new home?
In announcing Rex's retirement Monday, the department also outlined a sad story. The dog's handler recently retired from the force — and though the two have emotionally bonded, the officer couldn't take his work partner home because he has a small child.
(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...
They are awesome pooches, for sure.
Loyal and brave to a fault.
One of my dogs is half shep. He’s fiercely protective of the family.
I believe too that the dog’s demeanor would have nothing to do with his training as a K9 officer. It would depend on the individual dog’s personality whether it is good with children.
My dog hated the mailman *and* the UPS guy. Actually she wasn’t fond of anyone who just walked up to the house with impunity. Once you came inside however, she was your buddy.
A very wise move but unfortunate for the dog.
Several factors not mentioned:
First, the dog has been trained to attack so biting would be instinctive under certain conditions.
Second, Rex is now 9 years old and will likely, if not already developing, contract the debilitating condition called hip dysplasia which is prominent in German Shepherds. Once the onset begins, all it would take is a child or adult unknowlingly patting the dog on its hind quarters for the dog to react to the pain and attack the person.
The best home for the dog, if one can be found, is with someone who lives in the country.
My dad had to put down our beloved shepherd right before a July 4 holiday with the family at our cottage up north because the dog's hind quarters were so painful to it, dad feared for the safety of the little kids.
There is a bark for that... someone walking up to the house or ringing the doorbell.
I call it, the longbark, as opposed to a playful snappy bark. Its a long, drawn out bark.
A longbark is serious business.
Sounds like the dog might be a four footed lawsuit waiting to happen. If you want an inherently intimidating dog, get a Great Dane. His size will scare potential bad guys, while his basic good nature will endear him to your kids and the delivery people. I know; I have one.
What used to be “my” couch has belonged to my Great Dane for the last several years. A guest can use it too, provided she wants a Great Dane in her lap.
Retire at seven? Just early middle age for a dog. Surprised at that. Dogs I've had didn't show age until around ten.
Yeah, but this is a public employee dog... got a great pension. ;)
Aren’t Danes just wonderful! I’m on my third one. Such goofy, sweet dogs. The size is the protection. My current one went way over size and scares everyone that doesn’t know her. She wears a pony blanket because dog blankets are way too small.
My buddy is blind and has had guide dogs for decades (labrador retrievers).
They typically retire around 7 or 8 yrs old. It’s always emotional for him.
There’s quite a difference between working dogs and pets. Working dogs are “on” pretty much all the time they’re not sleeping.
Without knowing this particular Belgian malinois’ temperament, I would agree with the retired handler’s decision.
In general, the Belgian malinois’ their prey drive can be tremendous and unlike the German shepherd they never seem to have an off button.
See these two examples, Belgian malinois and German shepherd K9s:
http://abc7.com/pets/rialto-k-9-who-mauled-4-year-old-boy-will-retire-police-say/535006/
http://ktla.com/2014/03/26/wounded-anaheim-police-k-9-bruno-is-protector-for-partners-family/
Yeah, about like retiring at 45 or 50.
Maybe the kid knows the attack command.
Uses the dog to get his way in the neighborhood and at home.
I've owned and been around bird dogs that do well till around ten or so, but their work is in spurts of a few hours during season.
Use a Dwarf, you can toss them almost as far and they don’t scream like kids... but the cussing and swearing gets loud!
Absolutely. I’m on my first and he’s undersized, only about 115 lb. The beauty of intimidation by size is it works a lot better than intimidation by viciousness because nobody is really threatened or gets hurt, while neighbors, friends, and delivery people quickly learn your “vicious” dog is a big, slobbery love muffin.
I use more like a shotput style with a dwarf, instead of the frisbee spin i use with children.
Good Dog...
Big brain on that one...
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