RAAF interests protected by the 'Belgians'

German Shepherds have been phased out of the Royal Australian Air Force, proving that it really is a dog-eat-dog world.

And it's the Belgians who are now the leaders of the pack.

The RAAF Base at Amberley, southwest of Brisbane, is the breeding and training ground for all military working dogs on active duty at home and abroad.

More than 70 dogs are currently being trained by the Security and Fire School squadron, while another 32 are operational on base.

Corporal Jill O'Reilly said they only recently decided to phase out German Shepherds in favour of the Belgian Malinois, or Belgian Shepherd as it is more commonly known.

Corp O'Reilly said the Belgian Shepherds were a better fit for the RAAF.

"They are smaller, they're more agile, they have a great work ethic and they are proven to work in our environment," she said.

Sergeant Grant Reibel said the breed was also less susceptible to diseases and genetic injuries.

"You usually get a longer working span out of them than you would with a German Shepherd," he said.

Executive officer Brett Green runs the Number 2 Security Forces Squadron responsible for the qualified dogs on base and their handlers.

They are predominantly used to maintain the safety of the base, but all could also go on training exercises or be deployed overseas.

Mr Green said despite advancements in technology, military working dogs remained one of the most critical parts of the RAAF.

"A dog can sense, see and do things adults and technology can't," he said.

"They've been a part of the air force now for close to 60 years and they have never let us down.

"They go wherever we go."