police dog

American

noun

a dog trained to assist the police.
German shepherd.

police dog British

noun

a dog, often a German shepherd dog, trained to help the police, as in tracking

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of police dog

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A police dog and its handler searched marshland near to London Road and found a man who tried to run away but was stopped by the canine.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Audi is another retired police dog whose playful nature belies his previous life on the frontline.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2025

Authorities tied Scooby to a tree in the front yard before they led the police dog onto the property, according to court documents.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2025

The San José City Council unanimously voted to settle after Santa Clara County resident Anthony Paredes sued the city and others over a police dog attack.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2025

A police dog named Silver, trained to pace up and down the shed row, stood patrol.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023