German police dogs get shoes for "paw patrol"

BERLIN (Reuters) - Police dogs in the German city of Duesseldorf are being fitted out with blue rubber shoes to protect their paws while walking the beat.

"The dogs aren't too keen yet, but with a few weeks' training they should be used to them," Andre Hartwich, a spokesman for police in the western city, said on Monday.

Hartwich said shards of glass and sharp objects get stuck between the cobbles of Duesseldorf's old town and are dangerous for the canine squad.

"The shoes will protect their paws on patrol," he said.

Some 20 German shepherds are being taught to walk and work with their new footwear in time for a police fashion show in March.

The blue synthetic rubber shoes, modelled on a design made for sled-pulling Canadian huskies, will cost about 15 euros (11 pounds) each, he said.

(Reporting by Sarah Roberts, editing by Dave Graham and Mary Gabriel)