All the dogs in the Arlington K-9 unit are German shepherds, with the exception of one Malinois. All are male. Herchenroder said the average career of a canine in the unit is eight to nine years. After that, the trainer has the option of adopting the animal.
Although Lobo and Mako are still eager, playful puppies, Heimberger said it is important to remember that they are also very much working dogs.
Arlington County police officers Matt Heimberger, left, and Tom Binckley pose with their new partners, Lobo and Mako, respectively. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the need for dogs that can perform bomb sweeps has grown.
(Juana Arias -- The Washington Post)
|
|
"He is my partner," he said, pointing to Lobo. "At home, he's a completely different dog. . . . He likes to sleep and play in the yard. All this training is a big game for him. It's fun for me, too, but one of the biggest things for me to remember is he's a police officer first."
Like their human counterparts, police dogs often work in dangerous situations, so it is important for them to wear protective gear, Herchenroder said. Lobo and Mako will both have bulletproof vests when they begin their police work.
"They go in on all the high-risk situations, and they are a lot quicker than we are," she said. "We want to protect them as any other officer."
Canine police vests can cost as much as $1,000, but thanks to donations from the Arlington community, the police department hasn't had to come up with the money, Herchenroder said.
Mary Hogan, owner of Dogma Gourmet Dog Bakery and Boutique, raised enough money through customer donations to purchase a bulletproof vest for one dog. Another customer purchased a second vest outright.
"There's a lot of good they do," Hogan said, referring to the police dogs. "They do as much of a job as any other dog, and they're certainly put in more danger. It's a matter of protecting the investment as well as the dog."
