Chihuahuas are truly a breed like no other. Just look at Midge — the world’s first police Chihuahua. Traditional police dogs tend to be German Shepherds. Midge didn’t let this stop her from becoming a well-respected K9 partner to Geauga County Sheriff Dan McClelland.
Midge quickly made a name for herself, both in her Ohio community and online. Her story is a great example of the many Chihuahua heroes who have also become pioneers!
How Midge Became a Police Chihuahua
When Midge was only a puppy, McClelland took one look at her and decided she would make a good police Chihuahua. Though police dogs are often much larger than small Chihuahuas, McClelland felt confident in his choice.
Midge, a Chihuahua-rat terrier mix and the runt of her litter, began her police training, just as any other German Shepherd would. To the likely surprise of many, Midge’s exceptional smell and small size came in handy during her training. Once she was out on the job with her partner, these two factors would continue to lead her to success.
McClelland himself recognized how many around him thought the idea of a police Chihuahua was ridiculous.
“I’m sure there were jokes, but Midge is a pioneer, she has helped to downsize canines nationwide,” he once said. “I personally wouldn’t like to have a German Shepherd. I like to think I have something just as good but in a smaller package.”
Midge Made Many High Profile Busts
Midge wasn’t any ordinary K9. Her size and breed alone prove this. But Midge’s decade-plus-long career saw the Chihuahua help McClelland and the police in many high-profile busts.
Midge had an excellent nose that allowed her to recognize ten different kinds of narcotics. This sensitive sense aided her often in her life as a K9.
Midge’s size — once thought to be a detriment to police dogs — came in handy more than once. McClelland explained that her small size easily allowed her to squeeze into areas other people and dogs couldn’t.
Thanks to her little body, Midge could quickly surveil enclosed areas like cars and school lockers. McClelland said, “She’s gotten numerous arrests, fines, seizures, vehicle searches, school lockers. She can do in minutes what it might take us hours or days to do.”
A Once in a Lifetime Partnership
Perhaps Midge’s greatest strengths as a K9 included the once-in-a-lifetime bond she fostered with McClelland, the man who first saw that she could be an amazing police Chihuahua. Against all odds, Midge proved him right — even when everyone thought she would fail.
During busts, Midge quickly learned how to communicate with McClelland. Instead of becoming excited over potential finds, she stayed calm. Then, she gave a knowing look to the county sheriff. McClelland was immediately able to understand that she had hit gold.
McClelland also spoke about his bond with Midge, stating that he wouldn’t like to have a big German Shepherd beside him.
“It’s not the most macho thing to be a police officer with a dog that might look like she might belong to Paris Hilton, but you don’t have to be the biggest kid on the block to do good things,” he explained.
A Viral Sensation
In 2006, Midge became the world’s smallest police dog and was officially certified by the Guinness World Records. Thanks to her small size and brave demeanor, the police Chihuahua quickly became a viral sensation.
Midge and McClelland’s story was featured in everything from magazines to TV shows like The Secret Life of Dogs. The pair often made stops on daytime talk shows, too!
Midge’s popularity was also huge in her own Ohio community. When the Chihuahua wasn’t out tracking down criminals, she could be found attending parades alongside McClelland.
People in Geauga loved seeing Midge. Current Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand even stated that McClelland knew everyone wanted to see her whenever they attended county fairs or parades.
“He used to joke that people would see him in a parade in a car and would say, ‘Hey, there’s Midge and whatshisname,’” Hildenbrand said. “I think she was more popular than him.”
The Tragic End to Midge and McClelland’s Story
Unfortunately, Midge and McClelland’s story has come to an end. After 44 years, McClelland retired, with Midge leaving the force right alongside him. In retirement, Midge traveled around the United States with McClelland and his wife in their RV.
In 2021, McClelland, then 67, sadly lost his battle with cancer. Heartbreakingly, only hours after his death at a hospital, Midge, then 16, passed away at home. Both died on the very same day. Many admirers of the Chihuahua theorized that she had died of a broken heart.
Once inseparable in life, McClelland and Midge were buried together upon their passing.
Residents of Geauga County paid tribute to the former sheriff and the world’s first police Chihuahua, leaving flowers by the sheriff’s office.
Becoming a Pioneer for Other Chihuahua Heroes
McClelland once explained that Midge was a pioneer for other small dogs. Her excellent service as a K9 helped prove that small dogs can be just as helpful to police as large breeds.
Her internet popularity has also shown how much people enjoyed learning about how a small Chihuahua was just as brave as a German Shepherd.
Even today, Midge and McClelland remain popular online. The two were inseparable for 16 years of Midge’s life. For many, the two passing on the same day is tragic, yet a testament to the lovely bond that they shared.
Midge’s story continues to inspire pet lovers, law enforcement, and dog trainers alike. Some police departments across the country have considered expanding their K9 units to include smaller breeds for specialized tasks. Midge’s legacy proves that the value of a police dog isn’t determined by size, but by heart, intelligence, and dedication.
From her first day on the job to her last, Midge challenged stereotypes and redefined what it meant to be a police Chihuahua. She showed that courage isn’t about how big you are—it’s about how big your impact is. Today, Midge remains one of the most famous police Chihuahuas in history, proving that heroes can come in the smallest of packages.
