Handlers talk to dogs in German

British police dog handlers are learning to give orders to their animals in German after bosses decided to import Alsatians because of a shortage of suitable animals here.

A trial of the German dogs from Berlin by Derbyshire Police was deemed a success, prompting 16 other forces to recruit the canines at £2,000 each.

Officers are taught basic German commands including “sitz” (sit), “platz” (down), “aus” (let go), “holen” (fetch) and “bissen” (bite).

One dog handler from Derbyshire constabulary said: “If you say ‘let go’ in English, they just look at you like you are crazy.”