Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun shares a story about this pup named Mochi who's set to work as a sniffer dog for Kyoto's police force. After six months of training, Mochi is ready to help solve crimes by tracking footprints and detecting explosives, drugs and other odors:



Weighing in a mere 4 pounds, Mochi might seem like a four-legged pushover but don't underestimate his tiny stature. His owner, Naomi Yasuda, is confident that the 4-year-old pup is all eager to put his crime-fighting skills to the test. Yasuda tells ABC News, "Mochi has always been at the top of his class, in training school. I just wanted to find a way for him to help others."

Mochi is only the third toy poodle to have the honor of serving Japan's police force. Back in November 2011, two toy poodles named Karin and Fuga, were commissioned as police search and rescue dogs in Tottori Prefecture -- joining the ranks of a small but growing number of small-breed dogs (including chihuahuas and miniature schnauzers) that are being signed up for police work in Japan.