But the bright blue footwear isn’t meant to be part of a snappy uniform for the dogs – a police spokesman from the western German city said on Monday the shoes are intended only to protect their paws in the urban jungle.

Canine units are frequently forced to walk through shards of glass at large events and in Düsseldorf’s historic centre. The city’s police officials found appropriate Velcro dog shoes in the United States to offer the canine colleagues better protection.

Following a trial period of several weeks, the dogs are expected to go on patrol with their new shoes in mid-March. The 20 members of the canine unit have already gotten used to wearing the footwear. “Especially in the old town there are often shards of glass on the ground, which is dangerous for dog paws,” said the police spokesman.

That’s why the special Velcro shoes have sturdy rubber soles with bumps for traction. They come in sizes for both big and small dogs and a set of four costs around €60. “The dogs eventually won’t wear their shoes every time they go on patrol,” the spokesman said. But for duty where broken glass and other sharp objects like nails and drug-addict needles might be, the shoes will be a key part of the dogs’ uniform.

During the trial phase to get the dogs accustomed to the shoes, many private dog owners have asked the police where they can get the same footwear for their pets.