Article: Too soft for the job; 'Placid' police Alsatians give way to Rottweilers.

Byline: ZOE CATCHPOLE

FOR years they have been the ferocious friend of the police - and the scourge of criminals everywhere.

But it seems German shepherds are now becoming too soft to be crime-fighters.

Police dog handlers say Alsatians have been bred to be more placid and family-friendly.

As a result, some are too nervous to perform on the beat.

Police have established their own breeding programme to produce tougher dogs.

But they have also been forced to replace German shepherds with bigger, meaner rottweilers.

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