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| Copyright 2008 © Barry M. Baker, Canines-and-Felines.com |
War Dog - During World War I the Germans used dogs in the military. The
experience in Germany with military dogs during World War I led the government
to establish an organization that would be involved in breeding and training
military and police dogs. The organization also bought dogs from private
breeders. It is estimated that by the time the U.S. got involved in World War II
experience in Germany with military dogs during World War I led the government
to establish an organization that would be involved in breeding and training
military and police dogs. The organization also bought dogs from private
breeders. It is estimated that by the time the U.S. got involved in World War II
that the Germans had
trained 200,000
military and police
dogs. The Germans
provided 25,000
trained military dogs to
their ally, Japan, that
were used in the war
against China.
The Russians also
trained and used dogs
in their military. White
Samoyeds were used
to pull white-clad
marksmen on sleds
close to enemy lines.
In one sector of the
front, a team of sled
dogs carried 1,239
wounded men from the
battlefield and hauled
327 tons of
ammunition within a
five week period. Dog
teams were used to
pull guns, men, and
supplies. One Russian
correspondent stated
that "dogs have saved
thousands upon
thousands of lives on
the Russian front."
Americans have
always been great dog
lovers and owners, but
trained 200,000
military and police
dogs. The Germans
provided 25,000
trained military dogs to
their ally, Japan, that
were used in the war
against China.
The Russians also
trained and used dogs
in their military. White
Samoyeds were used
to pull white-clad
marksmen on sleds
close to enemy lines.
In one sector of the
front, a team of sled
dogs carried 1,239
wounded men from the
battlefield and hauled
327 tons of
ammunition within a
five week period. Dog
teams were used to
pull guns, men, and
supplies. One Russian
correspondent stated
that "dogs have saved
thousands upon
thousands of lives on
the Russian front."
Americans have
always been great dog
lovers and owners, but
before World War II there was no formal training for military dogs. There was
also very little use of dogs by the police. The use of dogs of any breed by the
police and military really did not exist until World War II. In Europe, dogs bred to
herd sheep and cows were trained in police and military work. In the U.S.,
herding dogs did little "real" work as there weren't many sheep and men on
horse back, cowboys, did the cattle herding.
In a great many ways, not just military dogs, the U.S. was unprepared for war
when World War II came to the country on a Sunday, December 7, 1941. The
real miracle of World War II was how an unprepared nation could achieve victory
in four years.
also very little use of dogs by the police. The use of dogs of any breed by the
police and military really did not exist until World War II. In Europe, dogs bred to
herd sheep and cows were trained in police and military work. In the U.S.,
herding dogs did little "real" work as there weren't many sheep and men on
horse back, cowboys, did the cattle herding.
In a great many ways, not just military dogs, the U.S. was unprepared for war
when World War II came to the country on a Sunday, December 7, 1941. The
real miracle of World War II was how an unprepared nation could achieve victory
in four years.
The United States War Dogs Association, Inc. - is a nonprofit
organization of Former and Current US Military Dog Handlers and supporting
members committed to promoting the long history of the Military Service Dogs,
establishing permanent War Dog Memorials, and educating the public about the
invaluable service of these canines to our country.
Our background in military War Dog service and our dedication to honoring the
memory of the service and sacrifice of the US Military Working Dogs gives us a
unique perspective that we can use to educate the public on the history of
Military War Dogs.
organization of Former and Current US Military Dog Handlers and supporting
members committed to promoting the long history of the Military Service Dogs,
establishing permanent War Dog Memorials, and educating the public about the
invaluable service of these canines to our country.
Our background in military War Dog service and our dedication to honoring the
memory of the service and sacrifice of the US Military Working Dogs gives us a
unique perspective that we can use to educate the public on the history of
Military War Dogs.
War Dogs - U.S Army's use of dogs 1942-Present - The Army
Quartermaster Corps began the U.S. Armed Forces first war dog training during
WWII. By 1945 they had trained almost 10,000 war dogs for the Army, Navy,
Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Fifteen War Dog platoons served overseas in
World War II. Seven saw service in Europe and eight in the Pacific. In 1951 the
responsibility for training military dogs was given to the Military Police Corps.
Dogs continued to serve the armed forces with distinction in Korea, Vietnam,
Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq and many recent contingency operations.
Quartermaster Corps began the U.S. Armed Forces first war dog training during
WWII. By 1945 they had trained almost 10,000 war dogs for the Army, Navy,
Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Fifteen War Dog platoons served overseas in
World War II. Seven saw service in Europe and eight in the Pacific. In 1951 the
responsibility for training military dogs was given to the Military Police Corps.
Dogs continued to serve the armed forces with distinction in Korea, Vietnam,
Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq and many recent contingency operations.
K-9 HISTORY: THE DOGS OF WAR! - From Before Biblical Times
To The Present - When we go to war, they go to war.
- Throughout the histories of warfare, from the days of the Egyptians, the
Greeks and the Persians and the conquests of the Roman Empire.
- To the United Nation's Police Action in Korea, the war in Vietnam, the Gulf War,
and more recently during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo.
- Dogs have undergone active service at the sides of their masters, they have
played the role of hero, by showing bravery under fire, saving lives (often by
sacrificing their own), and bringing comfort to the injured and infirm.
- Atilla the Hun, used giant Molossian dogs, precursors of the mastiff, and
Talbots, ancestors of the bloodhound, in his campaigns.
- During the Middle Ages, war dogs were outfited with armor and frequently were
used to defend caravans.
- And in the Seven Years War, Russian dogs were used as messengers by the
army of Frederick the Great.
- Napoleon had dogs posted as sentries at the gates of Alexandria, in Egypt, to
warn his troops of any attacks.
- Two centuries earlier, on this side of the Atlantic, they helped the Spaniards
conquer the indians of Mexico and Peru.
- Then later on, it was the native North American Indians who were to develop
the use of dogs for pack and draft work, as well as for sentry duty.
- In the early part of the 14th Century, the French Navy started to use attack
dogs in St. Malo, France, to guard naval dock installations. These were used up
to 1770, when they were abolished after a young naval officer was unfortunately
killed by one of the dogs.
- The first recorded American Canine Corp was during the Seminole War of
1835, and again in 1842, in Florida and Louisana, where Cuban-bred
bloodhounds were used by the army to track the indians and runaway slaves in
the swamps!
- And during the bleakest time in the history of the United States, the Civil War,
dogs were used as messengers, guards and as mascots.
- In 1884, the German Army established the first organize Military School for
training war dogs at Lechernich, near Berlin; and in 1885 wrote the very first
training manual for MWD.
- In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, dogs were used by Teddy's
Roughriders, as scouts in the jungles of Cuba.
- By the early part of the twentieth century most European countries were
utilizing dogs in their armies and for police work.
- In 1904, Imperial Russia used ambulance dogs during the Russo-Japanese
War; trained by a British dog fancier, who later went on to establish the first
Army Dog School in England, at the start of The Great War.
- The Bulgarians and Italians employed dogs as sentries during the war in the
Balkans and in Tripoli, as did the British on the Abor Expedition in the Himalayas.
- Dogs were used in sizable numbers in both World War I and II, particularly by
the Germans, French, Belgians; and proved to be of considerable value!
- In 1988, the Israeli Special Forces sent bomb carrying Rottweilers on a suicide
mission, code named "Blue and Brown," against enemy bunkers in Lebanon. But
more about that later!
- And when the Berlin Wall came down, Nov. 9, 1989, the East German
communist government was using 5,000 dogs just to patrol the wall and another
2,500 watch dogs plus 2,700 so called horse dogs to patrol their borders.
- During the Gulf War, at least 1,177 highly trained German Shepherds were
use by the French forces to guard and protect their troops, supplies and
aircraft. The USA used 88 teams.
- But it was initially during the days of the Roman Empire, that entire formations
of attack dogs, frequently equipped with armour or spiked collars were sent into
battle against the enemy as a recognized and effective instruments of offensive
warfare.
- However, recently with the development of modern long range warfare and the
consequential change in military tactics, the value of dogs as combat soldiers
has steadily diminished.
- But at the same time their usefulness in other military activities has increased.
This is their story and in some ways, mans as well!
To The Present - When we go to war, they go to war.
- Throughout the histories of warfare, from the days of the Egyptians, the
Greeks and the Persians and the conquests of the Roman Empire.
- To the United Nation's Police Action in Korea, the war in Vietnam, the Gulf War,
and more recently during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo.
- Dogs have undergone active service at the sides of their masters, they have
played the role of hero, by showing bravery under fire, saving lives (often by
sacrificing their own), and bringing comfort to the injured and infirm.
- Atilla the Hun, used giant Molossian dogs, precursors of the mastiff, and
Talbots, ancestors of the bloodhound, in his campaigns.
- During the Middle Ages, war dogs were outfited with armor and frequently were
used to defend caravans.
- And in the Seven Years War, Russian dogs were used as messengers by the
army of Frederick the Great.
- Napoleon had dogs posted as sentries at the gates of Alexandria, in Egypt, to
warn his troops of any attacks.
- Two centuries earlier, on this side of the Atlantic, they helped the Spaniards
conquer the indians of Mexico and Peru.
- Then later on, it was the native North American Indians who were to develop
the use of dogs for pack and draft work, as well as for sentry duty.
- In the early part of the 14th Century, the French Navy started to use attack
dogs in St. Malo, France, to guard naval dock installations. These were used up
to 1770, when they were abolished after a young naval officer was unfortunately
killed by one of the dogs.
- The first recorded American Canine Corp was during the Seminole War of
1835, and again in 1842, in Florida and Louisana, where Cuban-bred
bloodhounds were used by the army to track the indians and runaway slaves in
the swamps!
- And during the bleakest time in the history of the United States, the Civil War,
dogs were used as messengers, guards and as mascots.
- In 1884, the German Army established the first organize Military School for
training war dogs at Lechernich, near Berlin; and in 1885 wrote the very first
training manual for MWD.
- In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, dogs were used by Teddy's
Roughriders, as scouts in the jungles of Cuba.
- By the early part of the twentieth century most European countries were
utilizing dogs in their armies and for police work.
- In 1904, Imperial Russia used ambulance dogs during the Russo-Japanese
War; trained by a British dog fancier, who later went on to establish the first
Army Dog School in England, at the start of The Great War.
- The Bulgarians and Italians employed dogs as sentries during the war in the
Balkans and in Tripoli, as did the British on the Abor Expedition in the Himalayas.
- Dogs were used in sizable numbers in both World War I and II, particularly by
the Germans, French, Belgians; and proved to be of considerable value!
- In 1988, the Israeli Special Forces sent bomb carrying Rottweilers on a suicide
mission, code named "Blue and Brown," against enemy bunkers in Lebanon. But
more about that later!
- And when the Berlin Wall came down, Nov. 9, 1989, the East German
communist government was using 5,000 dogs just to patrol the wall and another
2,500 watch dogs plus 2,700 so called horse dogs to patrol their borders.
- During the Gulf War, at least 1,177 highly trained German Shepherds were
use by the French forces to guard and protect their troops, supplies and
aircraft. The USA used 88 teams.
- But it was initially during the days of the Roman Empire, that entire formations
of attack dogs, frequently equipped with armour or spiked collars were sent into
battle against the enemy as a recognized and effective instruments of offensive
warfare.
- However, recently with the development of modern long range warfare and the
consequential change in military tactics, the value of dogs as combat soldiers
has steadily diminished.
- But at the same time their usefulness in other military activities has increased.
This is their story and in some ways, mans as well!
Dogs of War - Eleven of the most popular contributors to the Australian war
effort in Vietnam could not return home when their tour of duty ended. They
were the black labrador tracker dogs used by the Australian Task Force.
effort in Vietnam could not return home when their tour of duty ended. They
were the black labrador tracker dogs used by the Australian Task Force.
| During the Civil War, Confederate regiments unleashed bloodhounds against negro regiments. |
| Wood engraved illustration from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, March 5, 1864 |
Dogs were first domesticated somewhere between
15,000 to 20,000 years ago and were initially used
for hunting, hauling, and guarding camps and
settlements. At some point, imperialistic and
class-based societies began to exploit dogs'
aggressive potential for both offensive purposes
(military dogs) and for internal social control,
particularly to control slaves and to guard
accumulated property.
15,000 to 20,000 years ago and were initially used
for hunting, hauling, and guarding camps and
settlements. At some point, imperialistic and
class-based societies began to exploit dogs'
aggressive potential for both offensive purposes
(military dogs) and for internal social control,
particularly to control slaves and to guard
accumulated property.
Military Working Dog Foundation, Inc. - The Mission of the Military
Working Dog Foundation is to assist the Department of Defense Military
Working Dog Center in finding suitable homes for military working dogs that
become available for adoption because they are no longer capable of
performing their military duties.
Because on occasion, dogs are available for distribution to police departments
and other law enforcement agencies, the Foundation's mission is also to help
this process involving law enforcement K-9 units. In most cases, the dogs made
available to law enforcement would make excellent working dogs, but due to time
restraints, the military is unable to continue training them.
The dogs available for private adoption are not your ordinary house pets. They
are anything but ordinary. They have served in protecting our country or have
been to military K-9 'boot camp" and are very special animals. Our goal is to aid
the MWD Center in finding appropriate homes for the working dogs available for
private adoption to the public, former handlers and other persons capable of
properly caring for these dogs as well as law enforcement agencies having a
special requirement for a trained K-9.
Working Dog Foundation is to assist the Department of Defense Military
Working Dog Center in finding suitable homes for military working dogs that
become available for adoption because they are no longer capable of
performing their military duties.
Because on occasion, dogs are available for distribution to police departments
and other law enforcement agencies, the Foundation's mission is also to help
this process involving law enforcement K-9 units. In most cases, the dogs made
available to law enforcement would make excellent working dogs, but due to time
restraints, the military is unable to continue training them.
The dogs available for private adoption are not your ordinary house pets. They
are anything but ordinary. They have served in protecting our country or have
been to military K-9 'boot camp" and are very special animals. Our goal is to aid
the MWD Center in finding appropriate homes for the working dogs available for
private adoption to the public, former handlers and other persons capable of
properly caring for these dogs as well as law enforcement agencies having a
special requirement for a trained K-9.
War Dogs: Canines in Combat - America's war dogs prevented over
10,000 casualties in Vietnam alone and bravely served our country in Operation
Desert Storm as well as World War II. Yet, many of these K-9 Soldiers were
declared "surplus armaments" and were unceremoniously euthanised or left to
unknown fates in Vietnam.
10,000 casualties in Vietnam alone and bravely served our country in Operation
Desert Storm as well as World War II. Yet, many of these K-9 Soldiers were
declared "surplus armaments" and were unceremoniously euthanised or left to
unknown fates in Vietnam.
America's war dogs
were trained to
recognize booby traps,
mines tunnels and
weapons caches. They
were trained for
parachutte landings.
They warned troops
about ambushes. They
saved lives by
dragging wounded
soldiers to safety.
These canine heroes
lived, bonded and
fought side-by-side
with our veterans.
After World War II,
surviving war dogs
were sent home to
their families with
honorable discharges.
But at the end of the
Vietnam War, military
officials abandoned
almost all the American
war dogs. None of the
dogs of the Vietnam
War have ever been
honored for their
bravery and service
until now.....in the
documentary War
Dogs, America's
Forgotten Heroes.
were trained to
recognize booby traps,
mines tunnels and
weapons caches. They
were trained for
parachutte landings.
They warned troops
about ambushes. They
saved lives by
dragging wounded
soldiers to safety.
These canine heroes
lived, bonded and
fought side-by-side
with our veterans.
After World War II,
surviving war dogs
were sent home to
their families with
honorable discharges.
But at the end of the
Vietnam War, military
officials abandoned
almost all the American
war dogs. None of the
dogs of the Vietnam
War have ever been
honored for their
bravery and service
until now.....in the
documentary War
Dogs, America's
Forgotten Heroes.