The dogs will learn tracking, searching people and property, detaining offenders and crowd control.

Demand for police dogs is increasing and fully trained animals can cost as much as �1,000.

If the dog successfully completes the course, the police will pay the former owner �250.

Ideal dogs

The force is aiming to recruit German Shepherd dogs or bitches, aged between ten months to two years.

A police spokesman said: "The job demands so much from the dogs so they have to be good all rounders and capable of doing a multitude of tasks.

"The ideal type of dogs are inquisitive, playful especially with toys and slightly possessive. "

The course will last 13 weeks with each dog working with a designated handler under the directions of an instructor.