Can an adorable, short-legged corgi really serve as a professional police dog? In Guangzhou, a corgi named “Potato” has done just that, passing the rigorous certification of the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China and officially qualifying as an explosives detection dog.
Why a corgi?
According to the Huangpu Branch of the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau, the corgi’s friendly appearance offers a unique tactical advantage. At high-profile events such as pop concerts, large police dogs may make some attendees uneasy. By contrast, Potato can conduct thorough explosives sweeps while moving naturally among the crowd, helping officers complete security checks without disrupting public order.
Beyond his disarming appearance, Potato’s small stature also gives him a practical advantage on the job. In large arenas with tens of thousands of seats, bigger police dogs may struggle to inspect the tight spaces beneath the chairs. Potato, however, can easily slip beneath the rows and check hard-to-reach areas. Working alongside other police dogs, he can help complete a full sweep of a 10,000-seat stadium in just over an hour.
Follow Potato, the corgi police dog, through a day on the job!
Author | Dong Han
Photo | Guangzhou Public Security Bureau Huangpu Branch, Yangcheng Evening News, Guangzhou Daily