In a new development for Japanese law enforcement, toy poodles have become contract police dogs, marking a shift in the diversity of breeds used for police work. This change comes as the number of missing persons cases increases, especially those involving individuals with dementia, while the availability of large police dogs declines.
Historically, police dogs have been predominantly large breeds, such as German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, known for their powerful sense of smell—3,000 to 100 million times more sensitive than humans’. However, recent years have seen an expansion in the variety of breeds deployed for police duties, especially in the search and rescue operations for missing persons.
According to a survey by The Asahi Shimbun, 31 different dog breeds were registered by prefectural police forces this year, a significant increase from 18 breeds in 2015. Among these, small and medium-sized breeds, like toy poodles, miniature dachshunds, fox terriers, and even the kooikerhondje (made popular by MLB star Shohei Ohtani’s dog Decoy), are increasingly being recruited for service.
This trend is attributed to two factors: the decline in the number of available contract police dogs and the growing demand for search dogs. The National Police Agency (NPA) reported that while there were around 1,200 contract police dogs a decade ago, that number has since fallen below 1,100. Meanwhile, the NPA’s records show that in 2023, the number of individuals in need of urgent rescue, including those suffering from dementia, reached a record high of 67,909 cases.
To address these challenges, several prefectural police departments have broadened the range of breeds they recruit. The Ibaraki prefectural police, for example, started adopting toy poodles in 2016 to help meet the rising demand for search dogs. In addition, some departments, such as those in Tottori and Nara, have increased compensation for dog handlers and started allowing dogs from outside their jurisdiction to register, ensuring a wider pool of search dogs.
Fukui prefectural police have introduced a new category called “quasi-police dogs,” which are not involved in criminal investigations but assist in searches for missing persons. This reflects the growing versatility and importance of police dogs, regardless of their size or breed.
As the need for search dogs continues to rise, particularly for missing persons cases, the inclusion of toy poodles and other small breeds is helping to diversify and strengthen police forces across Japan.
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