Crime Dog No More : Law enforcement: A Ventura police canine retires after six distinguished years of chasing bad guys and tracking lost kids.

Aic von Hohenhamen loved his job in law enforcement so much he slept in a police car his entire career.

But on Thursday, the 8-year-old Rottweiler hung up his leash after six years with the Ventura Police Department.

“Aic deserves a break,” said Officer Jack Richards, his handler and constant companion.

The 105-pound pooch went out in style, sniffing suspected car thieves out of the Ventura River bottom Wednesday evening. Even that final chase reaffirmed that it was time to retire. The dog was so sore Thursday that he could hardly stand.

But Richards said the muscular dog--the only Rottweiler ever in Ventura’s K-9 unit--will miss reporting for duty.

“For six years he stayed in the police car every night,” Richards said. “He could have slept in the city-run kennel or in his doghouse, but he wanted to make sure the car didn’t leave without him.”

The department bought Aic (pronounced Ike) six years ago for $9,000, a fair price for a well-bred pup born and trained in Germany, Richards said. Aic’s replacement, a German shepherd named Lado, will join the four-dog force at half that price.

Although Rottweilers are commonly used as police dogs in European countries, German shepherds are cheaper and easier to get in the United States, Richards said.

Lt. Dave Inglis, who runs the Ventura police dog training program, says the extra money spent on Aic was worth it. He is known for his ability to sniff out a suspect and pursue a chase to the end. “He was tough, one of the best dogs we’ve had,” Inglis said. “We were spoiled.”

Aic was spoiled too. He cruised the town in a custom patrol car, its back seat replaced with a platform designed for his comfort, his name inscribed on the side. And he ate a special food imported from Germany.

Once, an injured suspect kicked Aic in the eye and both were taken to the hospital. Aic was treated first. “The staff in the emergency room just loved him,” Richards said.

The reception was equally warm at Eastminster Sonshine Preschool in Ventura, where Aic made one of his last appearances as a police dog Wednesday morning.

“Your dog smells funny, Officer Jack,” said one of 50 5-year-olds. The dog stood patiently while 100 tiny hands petted and squeezed him.

But Aic wasn’t bred for the classroom. His typical day included police dog training, sniffing for lost children and chasing suspects.

When necessary Aic may bite, said Richards, but “only in extreme situations” such as the other night when a suspect tried to escape and felt the firm grip of Aic’s teeth on his shoulder.

The lazy days ahead might seem a bit of a letdown after such an active career. But Richards, who now owns Aic, hasn’t planned a typical retirement.

Rottweilers are becoming more popular for movies and music videos. Richards said he turned down several Hollywood inquiries while Aic was owned by the city. But now “we aren’t wasting a minute,” Richards said. “We’re having (pictures) made up now.”