Zara and Kalia both completed the training course early

The 14-month-old German German Shepherds have been trained to become general purpose dogs, which involves taking part in searches, apprehending suspects and crowd control.

The three bitches - Kaila, Zara and Jade - and one dog, Nelson, were all born at the Tarril Boarding Kennels in Sunderland and are from a working Belgian line.

Their mother is police dog Ceris whose previous litter resulted in six puppies becoming general purpose dogs.

They earned their Home Office licences following a two-day test which involves searching, tracking, obedience, agility, and criminal work.

'Excellent resource'

Inspector Ken Crossley, of the Dog Section, said: "They managed to complete the training course in just eight weeks, which is a very short space of time - normally it takes around 13 weeks.

"However, because the handlers have had them since they were puppies they've already built up that bond, which means it has taken a lot less time.

"People say the dogs are small, but what I tell people is that they have the same amount of teeth as any other dog."

Dogs used by Northumbria Police come from the general public as gift dogs, are rescue dogs or are bred in-house.

Each dog lives with its handler who also has to feed, groom, exercise and play with it.

Mr Crossley added: " These dogs are great, they go home and are very much part of the handler's family but when they go to work they are switched on - they are an excellent resource.

"We hope to get litters from these bitches in the next 18 months to two years, so the whole breeding process will continue."