Why police dogs are trained in foreign languages and other K-9 unit myths
In short: From the medieval use of bloodhounds to modern specialized units, police dogs have long served as essential law enforcement partners. While popular culture often suggests these animals are taught foreign commands to prevent suspects from controlling them, the reality of their training and deployment is far more nuanced and complex.
The history of canine law enforcement traces back to the Middle Ages, when parish constables utilized bloodhounds to track outlaws. By the 14th century, dogs were guarding docks in St. Malo, France, and the term 'sleuth' eventually emerged from the Scottish 'Slough dogs.' However, early attempts to formalize their use were not always successful; in 1889, Sir Charles Warren’s attempt to use bloodhounds to track Jack the Ripper ended in embarrassment when the dogs bit the Commissioner and fled.
Modern organized K-9 programs began in Ghent, Belgium, in 1899, eventually spreading to Germany, where scientific breeding and training methods were pioneered. Today, training is a rigorous, multi-year process for both the dog and the handler. Contrary to common belief, dogs are trained in a specific language—often the native tongue of their European trainers—simply because it is easier for handlers to learn new vocabulary than to retrain an animal on entirely different commands.
While these dogs are invaluable for detecting narcotics or explosives and apprehending suspects, their use has faced significant scrutiny. A 2020 investigation by the Marshall Project highlighted concerns regarding the use of dogs as disproportionate force, particularly against people of color in the United States. Researchers have noted that the aggressive training these animals receive can lead to injuries comparable to shark attacks, raising difficult questions about liability and the ethics of deploying K-9 units in modern policing.
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