These Patient Police Dogs Perfectly Line Up As They Wait For Dinner

We tend to think of police dogs as less sweet, more fierce.

But a photo posted to Reddit shows even the most gruff K-9s can be heart-meltingly adorable.

The photo, presumed to be taken at a police dog training academy in China, shows six dogs standing in line, all holding an empty bowl in their mouths.

In front of them, a man stands near a bucket full of dog food.

The dogs -- five German shepherds and one black Lab -- sit patiently, each waiting for their turn to be served.

It's the freakin' cutest thing you'll ever see -- and, according to reports, somewhat of a tradition for police canines in China.

According to the Daily Mail, one Hangzhou-based K-9 trainer explained,

A good police dog needs to meet these four requirements: good looking, big appetite, courageous and possessive.

From the looks of it, these dogs at least have the "appetite" and "good looking" part down.

Check out the adorable snapshot below.

Citations: Chinese police dogs form a perfect line while waiting for their food (Daily Mail )