HAMPSHIRE'S policemen have got a new best friend. They may be smaller than the traditional German shepherd, but when it comes to power, strength, loyalty and confrontational ability, Belgian shepherd dogs are paws in front of the rest.

So far Hampshire Police only has one Belgian shepherd - or Malinois - dog, but the force plans eventually to replace all of its Alsatians with the breed.

It may seem hard to believe, but Alsatians have become so docile for the domestic market that the breed is no longer the best option for the police.

On the other hand, Malinois - which can now be imported from Belgium thanks to the relaxation of rabies regulations - are less docile, cheaper and more easily available.

Hampshire dog section Sergeant Bill Williamson said: "The German shepherds are of a more placid nature than they used to be because some of their typical qualities have been bred out of the dogs to make them more docile for domestication.

"The German shepherd used to be one of the most popular breeds in the UK but many people's domestic circumstances have changed, with both partners in full-time work, so large dogs that need a lot of exercise are not necessarily suitable. Therefore, that reduces the pool of available blood-stock.

"We have been to Belgium to look at the Malinois and they are actually a very, very good dog, used extensively on the continent and by the British military."

Hampshire Police's only malinois, five-year-old Taz, is working in Aldershot but the force has ordered another two dogs to be based at its Netley training school.

Sgt Williamson said: "The cost of German shepherds, as with all working dogs, is practically going through the roof because the expansion in the private security industry is phenomenal. A lot of these companies are snapping up dogs and they've got infinite resources to buy them, whereas our budgets are obviously quite tight."

It normally takes three months to train an Alsatian from scratch, at a cost of £14,000, but the force can save £8-10,000 by buying Malinois already partly trained with English commands.

Sgt Williamson said: "Having Taz has been very, very successful. They are very bold dogs in the sense they are not frightened by the noise of cars, trains, aeroplanes or anything like that.

"They take everything in their stride and they're very loyal because they form a very close bond with the handler. They're slightly smaller than a German shepherd but very muscular with a very strong athletic build."