Military Dogs: Their History, Heroes, and Impact

Military dogs have a rich history that dates back to ancient times, with evidence of dogs being used in warfare as far back as 3000 BC in ancient Egypt.

One of the earliest recorded uses of dogs in military combat was during the American Civil War, where dogs were used for scouting and sentry duty.

Military dogs have played a crucial role in many wars, including World War I and World War II, where they were used for tasks such as messenger duty, patrol work, and detecting enemy mines.

Their incredible sense of smell and ability to navigate through rubble and debris made them invaluable to soldiers on the battlefield.

The history of military dogs is a rich and fascinating one. German Shepherd Dogs have been part of the US Military's Military Working Dog program since the end of the Vietnam war. They were first used in World War I by the German Military, where they served as sentries, messengers, and ammunition carriers.

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In World War I, German Shepherd Dogs proved themselves especially capable in aiding wounded soldiers on the battlefield, even leading injured and blinded soldiers off the battlefield to safety and medical attention. This heroic act led to the development of the first seeing eye dog, a function the GSD still serves today.

Today, the US Army has approximately 600 dog teams, which have seen service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and German Shepherds are among the most common breeds used due to their keen sense of smell, endurance, speed, strength, courage, intelligence, and adaptability.

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During World War II, the U.S. military began deploying German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) as messengers, guards, and search and rescue dogs. They performed well in these roles, leading to the establishment of many K-9 training camps.

The U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps established dog training centers at various locations across the country, including Front Royal, VA, and Fort Robinson, NE. These centers were crucial in training GSDs for service in the U.S. Military.

By 1944, the military had narrowed down the list of accepted breeds for training to seven, with GSDs being the only breed still trained today from that original list. Modern additions include the Belgian Malinois and Labrador Retrievers.

Training for dogs at these K-9 Camps lasted between 8 and 12 weeks, consisting of "basic training" to get the dogs accustomed to military life. After this initial training, the dogs would go on to specialized training in areas like Sentry Dog training or Messenger Dog training.

The military deployed fifteen War Dog Platoons during World War II, with seven serving in the European Theater and eight in the Pacific Theater.

In 1914, German Shepherd Dogs began serving with the German Military at the beginning of World War I.

They performed a number of tasks on the battlefield and within the ranks of the German Army, including serving as sentries, messengers, and ammunition carriers.

Related reading: German Military Dogs

Soldiers on both sides of the conflict were initially amused by the use of dogs on the battlefield, but were quickly impressed by their capabilities.

These new dogs proved themselves especially capable in aiding wounded soldiers on the battlefield, and even led injured and blinded soldiers off the battlefield to safety and medical attention.

Their heroic acts under stressful and dangerous conditions earned them a special place in the hearts of the soldiers, who began to develop their own cadre of German Shepherd Dogs for use in the military after the conflict.

Judy, a liver and white English Pointer, was the only animal POW of WWII, serving aboard a ship bound for battle in the South China Sea. She survived a torpedoing, kept other survivors alive on a deserted island, and marched 200 miles seeking safety.

Nemo A534, a German Shepherd, was a sentry dog who put his life on the line during the Vietnam War, catching an unfamiliar scent and alerting his handler to enemy forces sneaking onto the Tan Son Nhut Air Base. He was the first sentry dog to be officially retired from active service.

Treo, a black Labrador Retriever and English Springer Spaniel mix, was an Arms and Explosives Search Dog in the British Army, renowned for his ability to find roadside bombs in Afghanistan. He discovered a "daisy chain" improvised explosive device and saved a platoon from guaranteed casualties.

During World War II, German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) played a significant role in the war effort.

The U.S. military deployed GSDs as messengers, helping soldiers to communicate on the battlefield. These dogs also acted as guards and search and rescue dogs.

GSDs were well-suited for these roles and performed with distinction. Their abilities led to the establishment of many K-9 training camps.

The U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps established dog training centers at several locations, including Front Royal, VA, and Fort Robinson, NE. These centers trained dogs in various skills, including basic training and specialized courses.

Training for dogs lasted between 8 and 12 weeks and consisted of basic training to get the dogs accustomed to military life. After this initial training period, the dogs would go on to a specialized training course in one of four areas.

The military deployed fifteen War Dog Platoons to the European and Pacific Theaters of War. Seven served in the European Theater and eight in the Pacific Theater.

In Vietnam, German Shepherds were initially used as sentry dogs on Air Force installations, but later became scout dogs for the US Marine Corps.

The Marines had two scout dog platoons deployed to Vietnam in February 1966, and the Army followed suit with the 25th IPSD arriving at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in June 1966.

Over 9,000 handlers and 4,000 dogs served in the Vietnam War, with the dogs being viewed as equipment by the military, leading to a sad and disgraceful episode in their history.

The dogs were given to the reluctant South Vietnamese military, euthanized, or left to fend for themselves, but this led to a public outcry and a law change.

In 2000, President Clinton signed a bill allowing military dogs to have an honorable retirement, and Congress amended title 10 of the US Code to allow for the adoption of retired military working dogs to former handlers and other qualified civilians.

GSDs served in Vietnam not only as Scout Dogs but also as Mine & Tunnel dogs, but the advent of IHS fever led the US military to decide not to bring home GSDs.

Judy, a liver and white English Pointer, served in the Royal Navy from 1936 to 1946.

She was the only animal POW of WWII and had an epic tale of bravery and heroism.

Judy survived the torpedoing of her ship in the South China Sea and kept other survivors alive on a deserted island by sniffing out fresh water.

She marched alongside soldiers for 5 weeks and 200 miles to seek safety.

Judy was captured and sent to a Japanese POW camp in Indonesia, where she survived on scraps of leather.

Leading Aircraftman Frank Williams convinced the camp commandant to register Judy as a camp prisoner, protecting her from guards' attacks.

Judy and the troops were moved from camp to camp until Allied forces finally arrived.

In 1945, the prisoners were finally freed, and Williams took Judy back to the UK.

In May 1946, Judy was awarded the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

Judy remained with Williams for the rest of her life before passing away at the age of 13 due to cancer in 1950.

Treo was a black Labrador Retriever and English Springer Spaniel mix who served as an Arms and Explosives Search Dog with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in the British Army.

Treo was sent to the Helmand Province in Afghanistan in 2008, where he developed a reputation for his uncanny ability to find roadside bombs.

Treo's human, Sergeant Dave Heyhoe, referred to him as a "four-legged metal detector" due to his exceptional skills in detecting explosives.

Treo was part of a platoon that was saved from guaranteed casualties when he discovered a roadside bomb in 2008.

Treo was awarded the Dickin Medal in 2010 for his bravery and service.

Treo retired in 2009 and spent the rest of his days with Sergeant Heyhoe, who later wrote a book about their adventures together.

Treo died in 2015 at the age of 14 and was buried with his medal and a Union Jack.

Sergeant Heyhoe had Treo's ashes tattooed into his leg as a tribute to his loyal companion.

The German Shepherd Dog breed was developed by Captain Max von Stephanitz of the German Army between 1899 and 1914, with a focus on intelligence, loyalty, dedication, and tenacity.

Captain von Stephanitz loaned these new dogs to German police departments, where they showed great promise in areas such as obedience, tracking, and protection. These early trials led to the establishment of the first K9 Corps.

German Shepherds have been part of the US Military's Military Working Dog program since the end of the Vietnam war. They are valued for their keen sense of smell, endurance, speed, strength, courage, intelligence, and adaptability to almost any climatic condition.

Their versatility and athleticism make them perfect for various military roles, including search and rescue, drug detection, and tracking down suspects. German Shepherds have served in both World Wars and the Vietnam and Korean Wars, and have been used as sentries, messengers, and ammo carriers in World War I.

Their loyalty and intelligence have made them an irreplaceable asset to the military, and they continue to serve with distinction in many theaters and conflicts around the world.

Captain Max von Stephanitz of the German Army developed the German Shepherd Dog breed between 1899 and 1914. He selectively bred them to hone traits like intelligence, loyalty, dedication, and tenacity for military and police applications.

Stephanitz loaned these new dogs to German police departments, marking the first K9 Corps. This trial period showed great promise in areas like obedience, tracking, and protection.

The German Shepherd Dog breed was developed to be a working dog, with a focus on intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. They were bred to be perfect for the military and police.

By World War I, the German army was utilizing trained German Shepherds as sentries, messengers, and ammo carriers. They were also used in World War II, and other countries, including the U.S., recruited their own German Shepherds.

The breed has served armed forces worldwide since World War II. They have been valued for their keen sense of smell, endurance, speed, strength, courage, intelligence, and adaptability.

Additional reading: Military Police Dogs

The Belgian Malinois is a compact and athletic breed that excels in various roles. They are known for their bravery and intelligence, making them a top choice for military operations.

Their compact size is a significant advantage, allowing them to be parachuted or repelled into situations with their handlers. This makes them perfect for missions where stealth and agility are crucial.

Belgian Malinois are preferred by SEAL teams due to their intelligence, agility, loyalty, fierceness, and stealthiness. They are also not afraid to jump out of planes and are the perfect size for a tandem jump or rappelling.

Their acute sense of smell makes them ideal for Improvised Explosive Device detection. They have a tireless work ethic and are resilient in extreme conditions, making them an invaluable asset to the military.

Belgian Malinois are renowned for their fierce loyalty and determination in the field. Their ability to withstand stress and perform under pressure is vital in military operations.

The Doberman Pinscher is a sleek, muscular, and highly intelligent breed.

They have a long history of military service, with Dobermans serving in both World Wars and officially being part of the U.S. Marine Corps' K-9 division during WWII.

Their bravery and service made them the finest military canines in American history.

Dobermans were employed as guard dogs, but they were also trained to find and rescue wounded soldiers, act as messengers, and detect enemy locations and mines.

Their intelligence, easy trainability, and alertness make them a perfect choice for roles like Scout or Patrol dog.

They've been on the front lines for generations, and it's no wonder they're often dubbed the "Devil Dog of the Marines".

Labrador Retrievers are not just family pets, they're also highly skilled working dogs. They're the number one choice for therapy and service dogs, including seeing-eye dogs.

Their strong hunting instincts make them invaluable in detection tasks. They're even used in search and rescue missions where timing is critical.

Labradors are ultra-obedient and have an effective nose, which makes them well-suited for search and rescue work. They can work off-leash and ease the stress of military work.

Their happy tails and friendly faces can be a welcome relief for soldiers during long, intense deployments.

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The Airedale Terrier is the largest of the Terrier breed, known for its hard-working and independent nature. They have a strong will and excellent sense of smell.

Their speed and ability to stay low and out of sight make them great war dogs. They were an essential component of the British military's command and communication system.

Airedale Terriers were one of the first breeds to serve bravely in the British Army during World War I. Smart and determined, Airedales stood guard as sentry dogs and were trained to carry messages across the battlefield.

They also assisted the Red Cross by sniffing out wounded soldiers and carrying medical supplies.

The Giant Schnauzer is a breed that's steeped in history, originating in Bavaria as a farm dog. They were initially unknown outside of their birthplace.

Their popularity grew during World War I and II, but it wasn't until the 1980s that the US Air Force reintroduced them as bomb-detection dogs. This marked a significant turning point for the breed.

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Giant Schnauzers are known for their reserved personalities and territorial nature, making them a great fit for tasks that require caution. They're inherently suspicious of strangers.

Their unique characteristics made them a valuable asset to many world militaries, including the US Air Force, where a Giant Schnauzer named Brock is the only one in 30 years to be a member of the DoD.

German Shepherds are often used as military dogs due to their intelligence, loyalty, and athleticism.

They have been used for a variety of tasks, including sentry duty, patrol work, and explosives detection.

German Shepherds are highly trainable, which makes them well-suited for complex tasks.

Belgian Malinois are another popular breed used in military settings.

Their high energy levels and strong work ethic make them ideal for demanding tasks such as narcotics detection and patrol work.

Belgian Malinois are also highly intelligent and can be trained to perform a wide range of tasks.

Labrador Retrievers are often used as military dogs due to their friendly and outgoing personalities.

Their strong sense of smell and high energy levels make them well-suited for tasks such as explosives detection and search and rescue.

Labrador Retrievers are also highly trainable and can learn a wide range of commands and tasks.

Military dogs are incredibly loyal and intelligent. They guard and protect their humans with their lives.

Their loyalty is unwavering, sticking with their comrades until the end. Military dogs have been known to make the ultimate sacrifice to save their fellow soldiers.

These canine heroes are trained to fiercely defend their friends and family, making them a valuable asset to any military unit.