A photo of the dog who was shot in the head during a shootout in Northland on Tuesday has been released.
Police dog national coordinator Insp Todd Southall said the German Shepherd is making "good progress".
Southall said the Dargaville Vet Clinic, with support from Kamo Vets, immediately provided lifesaving treatment to the dog following the incident near Dargaville.
The dog was then flown to a specialist vet hospital and remains in a stable condition, Southall said.
"The dog is making good progress but requires several surgeries over the coming weeks as a result of the injuries sustained.
"There will be a long road to recovery, and it is still too early to say whether the dog will return to operational duties, however, police remain optimistic."
Police said the incident unfolded after officers were responding to the sighting of a wanted man when several shots were exchanged between the alleged offender and arriving officers, with the dog taking a bullet to the head.
Southall said police could not name the dog as the investigation was ongoing.
"This is standard procedure for officers involved in critical incidents."
He said the man who attacked the dog remains in Auckland City Hospital in a stable condition. Charges have yet to be laid.
