Which of the following was a misconception about the police dogs trained in the 1980s?

The misconception regarding German-bred shepherds being perceived as superior to American-bred dogs stems from a common belief in the 1980s that the quality of the breeding significantly influenced a dog's ability to perform various police tasks. In that era, many agencies placed a strong emphasis on the lineage of working dogs, particularly those bred in Germany, which were highly sought after for their traits associated with police work.

This belief overlooked the fact that proper training, handling, and the individual characteristics of the dog often play a more critical role in a dog's effectiveness in the field than its breeding. While German shepherds are indeed a popular choice for law enforcement, American-bred dogs can also exhibit exceptional qualities and capabilities when properly trained and handled. Thus, the perception that German-bred shepherds were categorically superior was not a factual statement and reflects a misconception held during that time.

Understanding this misconception sheds light on how perceptions of breed can influence selection processes in law enforcement, leading to a more nuanced appreciation of the abilities of various dogs, irrespective of their breeding origin.