Comments on: The First Police Dogs in the U.S. https://americacomesalive.com/the-first-police-dogs-in-the-u-s/ Quick Takes and Popular Postings about America's Past Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:56:54 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Kate Kelly https://americacomesalive.com/the-first-police-dogs-in-the-u-s/#comment-459598 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:56:54 +0000 https://americacomesalive.com/?p=23693#comment-459598 In reply to Peggy Richter.

Peggy,
Thank you so much. I have waited several years to write this post as there is not a lot out there about the first police dogs. I wish I had known about your book earlier! Some of my sources were newspaper articles, and I could imagine that the reporters did not know asmuch about dogs as you do. I’ll go back and look at my sources and see how best to amend my article. Thank you!

]]> By: Peggy Richter https://americacomesalive.com/the-first-police-dogs-in-the-u-s/#comment-459592 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 02:11:42 +0000 https://americacomesalive.com/?p=23693#comment-459592 The Ghent police started their dog program in 1899, not 1902, The US started it’s police dog programs in 1902. The Belgian Sheepdog was NOT the “2nd choice initially — have a look at the original photos of the dogs. (see https://www.angelplace.net/Gent/GentPolice.htm which includes photos of the original police dogs. There were two matin/Bouviers and the rest are ALL black “groenendaels”. NOT malinois). Moreover, the “long coat” isn’t long like a Briard or Beardie or “rough collie” but the long of a field setter — it did NOT get matted when wet (The dogs after all, were originally working herding dogs that lived in Belgium. The original Chicago dogs were black dogs. The German Shepherd became more popular following WWI because they were more numerous and because breeders were producing them. The Malinois became popular because by the time it began to be used, it was the primary sport protection dog of the Belgian types and looked like a faster, more intense version of a German Shepherd. The longer-coated dogs were mostly being bred for conformation by then. And in the Desert Storm, Iraqi war, Afghan war, a fawn dog was less obvious (a major military plus) than a black dog. p

]]> By: Kate Kelly https://americacomesalive.com/the-first-police-dogs-in-the-u-s/#comment-459475 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 13:25:13 +0000 https://americacomesalive.com/?p=23693#comment-459475 In reply to Anthony.

Thank you for your comment. Today most police dogs are trained to halt the person they are chasing. I agree that a dog trained to kill is wrong.

]]> By: Anthony https://americacomesalive.com/the-first-police-dogs-in-the-u-s/#comment-459472 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 19:41:35 +0000 https://americacomesalive.com/?p=23693#comment-459472 the use of dogs should be abolished. you tske an animal that by nature is a friend to man and turn them into killers…they used trained by the Belgians to hunt people ,they were trained by slave owners to hunt slave ( people ),it’s an evil practice againt the citizens of thus country to train an animal to maul someone to death,it has happened, people maimed for life,for what..traffic stops..burglary, maybe you should have sent a dog into the school at uverde,at least it would shit it’s pants and run down the hallway scared to death,or show up and use the hand sanitizer. it’s a crime what you train those dogs to do…one day you’ll regret it.

]]> By: Kate Kelly https://americacomesalive.com/the-first-police-dogs-in-the-u-s/#comment-456203 Thu, 08 Aug 2024 16:11:04 +0000 https://americacomesalive.com/?p=23693#comment-456203 In reply to Karen.

Thank you! And yes, on my list of dogs to write about are some of the dogs being used for conservation…amazing stories!

Kate

]]> By: Kate Kelly https://americacomesalive.com/the-first-police-dogs-in-the-u-s/#comment-456201 Thu, 08 Aug 2024 16:04:46 +0000 https://americacomesalive.com/?p=23693#comment-456201 In reply to Linda Lyles.

Linda, thank you!

]]> By: Linda Lyles https://americacomesalive.com/the-first-police-dogs-in-the-u-s/#comment-456199 Thu, 08 Aug 2024 11:23:30 +0000 https://americacomesalive.com/?p=23693#comment-456199 Another wonderful story! Great info on the history of Police Dogs. It’s always a pleasure to see your latest articles in my email inbox! I recently found your youtube channel, as well. My husband and I enjoy these quick videos during dinner.

]]> By: Karen https://americacomesalive.com/the-first-police-dogs-in-the-u-s/#comment-456190 Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:52:10 +0000 https://americacomesalive.com/?p=23693#comment-456190 Once again, Kate has dug deep to compile a fascinating story about dogs. In Chicago (and probably elsewhere), police dogs have the title “Canine Officer” in front of their names to acknowledge their training, skills and importance to the force. And this is the first time I’ve heard of Working Dogs for Conservation–what a worthy grassroots organization to support. Thanks, Kate!

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