War dog 4368682 226144147 2008-07-17T00:45:04Z Smooth0707 1920731 condensing info {{TOCleft}} [[Image:Belgian Shepherd Malinois on top of tank.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A US Air Force dog atop an [[M2 Bradley|M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle]] in [[Iraq]] in 2007.]] [[Image:Iraq dog.jpg|thumb|A [[U.S. Army]] Staff Sergeant and his war dog wait at a safe house before conducting an assault against insurgents in [[Buhriz]], [[Iraq]] on April 10, 2007.]] A '''war dog''' (or '''wardog''') is a [[dog]] trained for [[war]]. The history of war dogs is long and detailed, stretching from [[Ancient history|ancient times]] to conflicts ongoing today. Their jobs have varied over the years, from being trained to track with their acute sense of [[olfaction|smell]], to bringing down [[infantry]] or even horses by biting into the hamstrings of their targets. ==History== War dogs were used by the [[Egyptians]], [[Greeks]], [[Brythons|Britons]] and the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]]. The [[Molossian]] 'Canis Molossus' dog of [[Epirus (region)|Epirus]] was the strongest known to the Romans, and was specifically trained for battle. However, when fought against the broad-mouthed, powerful [[Pugnaces Britanniae|mastiff]] of [[Roman Britain|Britannia]], they were outmatched. The Romans exported many of this breed of mastiff to Rome and then disseminated them over the known world. Often war dogs would be sent into battle with large protective spiked metal collars with spikes and wearing coats of [[chain mail]]. The Romans had attack formations made entirely of dogs. [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]s also used dogs, though not on this scale. During the [[Middle Ages]] [[Atilla the Hun]] used giant [[Molosser]] dogs in his campaigns. Gifts of war dog breeding stock between European [[royalty]] were seen as suitable tokens for exchange throughout the Middle Ages. Other civilizations used armored dogs to defend caravans or attack enemies. The Spanish conquistadors used dogs when they invaded the land controlled by [[South America| South American]] natives. The [[United Kingdom|British]] used dogs when they attacked the [[Ireland|Irish]]. Later on, [[Frederick II of Prussia|Frederick the Great]] used dogs as [[messengers]] during the [[Seven Years' War]] in [[Russia]]. [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]] would also use dogs during his campaigns. Dogs were used up until 1770 to guard naval installations in [[France]]. The first official use of dogs for military purposes in the [[United States]] was during the [[Seminole Wars]]. Dogs were used in the [[American Civil War]] to protect, send messages, and as mascots. There are two War Dog Memorials; one at [[March Field Air Museum]], and the other at The Infantry School, [[Ft. Benning]].<ref>[http://www.war-dogs.com/ War-Dogs.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Historical examples=== The use of War Dogs has been common even in many early civilizations. As warfare has progressed, their purposes have changed greatly. *628 BC - The [[Lydians]] deployed a separate battalion of fighting dogs. *525 BC - [[Kambyses]] used huge fighting dogs against Egyptian spearmen and archers. *490 BC - [[Battle of Marathon]] - A brave fighting dog was immortalized in a mural. *385 BC - [[Mantinea|Siege of Mantineia]] - Fighting dogs cut off enemy reinforcements. *210 BC - [[Hammurabi]] equipped his warriors with huge dogs. *101 BC - [[Battle of Vercellae]] - Large [[Kimber]] dogs led by women defend their [[laagers]]. *50 - [[Ancient Rome|Rome]] conquers [[Britannia]]. Giant fighting dogs called [[Pugnaces Britanniae]] are discovered and exported for integration into the [[military of ancient Rome]]. *101 - The [[Roman army|Romans]] employ one fighting dog company per legion. *1525 - [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]] exports 400 mastiffs to support [[Spain]]. *1580 - [[Elizabeth I]] sends 800 fighting dogs to fight in the [[Desmond Rebellions]]. *1799 - [[Napoleon]] assembles large numbers of fighting dogs in front of his reserves. *1915 - The [[Belgian Army]] use carabiniers, strong-muscled [[Bouvier des Flandres]] to haul heavy [[cannons]] to the front. *1914-1918 - Dogs are used by international forces to deliver vital messages. *1941-1945 - The Soviet Union used [[Anti-tank dog|dogs strapped with explosives]] to destroy invading German tanks. *1966-1973-Over 4,000 US [[War Dogs]] served in the [[Vietnam War]]; estimated to have saved over 10,000 human lives. ==Uses== [[Image:K-9 Unit.jpg|thumb|U.S. [[Naval Security Force]] K-9 Unit]] Dogs have been used for many different purposes. Different breeds were used for different things, but always met the demands of the [[handler]]s. ===Sentry dogs=== {{seealso|Guard dog}} Sentry dogs were used to defend camps or other priority areas at night and rarely during the day. They would bark or growl to alert civilian or military guards of a stranger's presence. During the cold war, American military used sentry dog teams outside of nuclear weapons storage areas. A test program was conducted in Vietnam to test Sentry Dogs. It was launched two days after a successful Viet Cong attack (July 1, 1965) on Da Nang Air Base. Forty dog teams were deployed to Vietnam for a four month test period. Dog teams were placed on the perimeter in front of machine gun towers/bunkers. The detection of intruders resulted in a rapid deployment of reinforcements. The test was successful. Handlers returned to the US and dogs were reassigned to new handlers. The Air Force immediately started to ship dog teams to all the bases in Viet Nam and Thailand. The buildup of American forces in Viet Nam created large dog sections at USAF Southeast Asia (SEA) bases. Four hundred and sixty seven (467) dogs were eventually assigned to Bien Hoa, Bien Thuy, Cam Ranh Bay, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Tuy Hoa, Phu Cat, Phan Rang, Tan Son Nhut, and Pleiku Air Bases. Within a year of deployment, attacks on several bases had been stopped when the enemy forces were detected by dog teams. Captured Viet Cong told of the fear and respect that they had for the dogs. The Viet Cong even placed a bounty on lives of handlers and dogs. The success of sentry dogs was determined by the lack of successful penetrations of bases in Vietnam and Thailand. It is estimated by the United States War Dogs Association that war dogs saved over 10,000 U.S. lives in Vietnam<ref>http://www.qmfound.com/War_Dogs.htm War Dogs:Army's Use of Dogs. Accessed July 08, 2008.</ref>. Sentry Dogs were also used by the Army, Navy, and Marines to protect the perimeter of large bases. ===Scout dogs=== These dogs were trained to silently locate [[booby trap]]s and concealed enemies such as snipers. The dog's keen senses of smell and hearing would make them far more effective at detecting these dangers than humans. Scout Dogs were used in World War II, Korea, and during the Vietnam War. ===Medical Research=== [[Image:Mansbestfriendww2.jpg|right|thumb|210px|Medical researchers, and their allies in the armed forces, awarded military-style medals to animals in laboratories to emphasize the martial significance of animal experimentation. Here, Army Surgeon General Major General Norman T. Kirk, on behalf of the Friends of Medical Research, bestows medals upon research dogs Trixie and Josie "for outstanding services to humanity."]][[Image:World war 2 cartoon dog.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Post WWII cartoon emphasizing the importance of canines]] In [[World War Two]], dogs took on a new role in medical experimentation, as the primary animals chosen for medical research<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/animals/canine.html Animals as Cold Warriors. Accessed July 08, 2008.</ref>. The animal experimentation in World War Two allowed doctors to test new medicine without risking human lives. These practices became more scrutinized after the war. The United States' government responded by proclaiming these dogs as heroes. The [[Cold War]] sparked a heated debate over the ethics of animal experimentation in the U.S., particularly aimed at how canines were treated in WWII<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/animals/canine.html Animals as Cold Warriors. Accessed July 08, 2008.</ref>. In 1966, major reforms came to this field with the adoption of the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act<ref>Buettinger, Craig [http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-13506650.html Antivivisection and the charge of zoophil-psychosis in the early twentieth century.] ''The Historian'' 1 January 1993. Accessed July 08, 2008.</ref>. ===Mine dogs=== These dogs were used to locate [[Land mine|mine]]s. They did not prove to be very effective under combat conditions. According to Lt. William Putney<ref>Putney, William. (2001) ''Always Faithful: A Memoir of the Marine Dogs of WWII'', New York: Simon & Schuster Inc. ISBN 0-7432-0198-1</ref> DVM, USMC War Dog Platoon, GUAM, WW2, mine detecting dogs were trained using bare electric wires beneath the ground surface. The wires shocked the dogs, teaching them that danger lurked under the dirt. Once the dog's focus was properly directed, dummy mines were planted and the dogs were trained to signal their presence. Dr. Putney related that while the dogs effectively found the mines, the task proved so stressful for the dogs they were only able to work between 20 and 30 minutes at a time. The mine detecting war dogs anticipated random shocks from the heretofore friendly earth, making them extremely nervous. The useful service life of the dogs was not long. Experiments with lab rats show that this trend can be very extreme, in some tests rats even huddled in the corner to the point of starvation to avoid electric shock. [[Image:Marine-war-dogs.jpg|left|thumb|[[Marine Raiders]] take scouting and messenger dogs to the frontlines on [[Bougainville Island|Bougainville]], late 1943]] ===Messenger dogs=== These dogs were used to carry messages in battle. They would be turned loose to move silently to a second handler. This required a dog which was very loyal to ''two'' masters, otherwise the dog would not deliver the message on time, or at all. A Russian war dog was sent to deliver a message during the battle of Stalingrad. The dog travelled for about 10 kilometres and was wounded nine times during the trip. Some messenger dogs also performed other jobs, such as pulling radio lines from one station to another, or as was common in WWII, to boost morale in the trenches. ===Anti-tank dogs=== {{main|Anti-tank dogs}} During [[World War II]], the Soviet Union trained [[anti-tank]] dogs. These dogs were taught to seek food under tanks. They were then starved until a battle occurred, during which they would be released to seek food. The dogs wore a kind of pouched, canvas overcoat, similar to a modern doggie bodywarmer, in which high explosives were placed. When they ducked under a tank, the explosives were actuated by means of a Tilt Fuse on the dogs back, which when bent or broken set off [[explosives]] in the dog's overcoat, destroying the tank. These dogs were successful at disabling a reported 300 German tanks. They were dangerous enough that [[Panzergrenadier]]s were ordered to shoot all dogs on sight. However, the dogs were unable to distinguish allied from enemy tanks, and were easily scared away from battle despite their hunger. The project was eventually abandoned. ===Attack dogs=== [[Image:Working dog in Afghanistan, wearing a bulletproof vest, being trained-hires.jpg|thumb|Working dog in Afghanistan, wearing a bulletproof vest, being trained.]] In ancient times, dogs, usually large ancient [[mastiff]] and [[rottweiler]]-type breeds, would be strapped with armor and spiked collars, and sent into battle to attack the enemy. This strategy was used by various civilizations, such as the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] and the [[Ancient Greece|Greeks]]. This approach has been largely abandoned in modern day militaries due to the fact that modern weapons would allow the dogs to be destroyed almost immediately, as on [[Battle of Okinawa|Okinawa]] when US soldiers quickly eliminated a platoon of Japanese soldiers and their dogs.<ref>Astor, Gerald. ''Operation Iceberg: The Invasion and Conquest of Okinawa in World War II''. Dell (1996) ISBN 0440221781</ref> Such use of dogs has been a matter of controversy for ethical reasons. ===Pulling dogs=== At the beginning of the first World War, the [[Belgium|Belgian]] army used cart dogs to pull their [[Maxim Gun|Maxim]] machine guns. These guns were too small for horses. The [[France|French]] had 250 dogs at the start of [[World War I]]. The [[Netherlands|Dutch]] army copied the idea and had hundreds of dogs trained and ready by the end of World War I (the Netherlands remained neutral). Many poor Europeans used dogs to pull small carts at that time. This is described in the novel "[[A Dog of Flanders]]" by Ouida, from 1872. For a transformation of a cart dog into a war dog, see the novel "Pierrot the Carabinier" by Walter A. Dyer. More historical and scientific data in "British War Dogs; their training and psychology" by E.H. Richardson, pub. Skeffington, London 1920. ==Modern usage== Contemporary war dogs are more commonly referred to as [[police dogs]], or in the United States as a Military Working Dog (MWD), or K-9. Their roles are nearly as varied as their ancient cousins, though they are no longer used in front-line formations. Traditionally, the most common breed for these operations has been the [[German Shepherd]]; in recent years there has been a shift to smaller dogs with keener senses of smell for detection work, and more resilient breeds such as the [[Belgian Malinois]] and [[Dutch Shepherd]] for patrolling and law enforcement. All MWDs in use today are paired with a single individual after their training. This person is called a handler. While a handler usually won't stay with one dog for the length of either's career, usually a handler will stay partnered with a dog for at least a year, and sometimes much longer. In the 1970s the [[US Air Force]] used over 1600 dogs worldwide. Today, personnel cutbacks have reduced USAF dog teams to approximately 530, stationed throughout the world. Many dogs that operate in these roles are trained at the [[Lackland Air Force Base]], the only facility that currently trains dogs for military use<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/04/0409_030409_militarydogs.html Dogs of War: Inside the U.S. Military's Canine Corps. Accessed July 08, 2008.</ref>. Change has also come in legislature for the benefit of the canines. Prior to [[2000]], older war dogs were required to be [[euthanized]]. Thanks to a new law, retired military dogs may now be adopted<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/04/0409_030409_militarydogs.html Dogs of War: Inside the U.S. Military's Canine Corps. Accessed July 08, 2008.</ref>. There are two War Dog Memorials; one at [[March Field Air Museum]], and the other at The Infantry School, [[Ft. Benning]].<ref>[http://www.war-dogs.com/ War-Dogs.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Drug and explosives detection=== [[Image:Working dog in Afghanistan, wearing a bulletproof vest, clears a building.jpg|thumb|United States Army working dog, in Afghanistan, wearing a bulletproof vest, clears a building.]] {{mainarticle|Detection dog}} Both MWDs and their civilian counterparts provide an invaluable service in the war on drugs, sniffing out a broad range of [[narcotics]] despite efforts at concealment. Provided they have been trained to detect it, MWDs can smell small traces of nearly any illegal substance, even if it is in a sealed container. Dogs trained in drug detection are normally used at [[airports]] and other places where there is high security and a need for anti-[[contraband]] measures. MWDs are perhaps at their most valuable when they are trained to detect [[explosives]]. Just as with narcotics, trained MWDs can detect minuscule amounts of a wide range of explosives, making them an invaluable addition both to entry points and patrolling within secure installations. These dogs are capable of achieving over a 98% success rate in bomb detection<ref>http://www.qmfound.com/War_Dogs.htm War Dogs:Army's Use of Dogs. Accessed July 08, 2008.</ref>. ===Law enforcement=== {{mainarticle|Police dog}} [[Image:MWD HMX-1.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A dog inspects baggage for [[Marine One]]. ]] As a partner in everyday police work, few humans can match the versatility and loyalty of a Police Dog. Police dogs can chase suspects, track them if they are hidden, and guard them when they are caught. They are trained to respond viciously if their handler is attacked, and otherwise not to react at all unless they are commanded to do so by their handler. <BR clear="all"> ===Use against prisoners=== [[Image:Abu Ghraib 56.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A bound prisoner in an orange [[jumpsuit]] is intimidated with a dog by US forces.]]The use of War Dogs on prisoners by the United States in the context of its recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq has been very controversial. *US occupation of Iraq - The U.S. has used dogs to intimidate prisoners in [[Iraq]]<ref>U.S. Army interrogator Tony Lagouranis stated "''We were using dogs in the Mosul detention facility''" in the [[Seattle Post Intelligencer]], published on-line as [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/329528_amy30.html Gonzales' tortured legacy lingers]</ref>. *Guantanamo Bay - It is believed that the use of dogs on prisoners in Iraq was learned from practices at [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base]]<ref>Usage of Dogs on prisoners in the Iraq conflict was learnt from practices in Guantanamo according to court testimony in the [[The Washington Post]], published on-line as : [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/26/AR2005072601792.html Abu Ghraib Dog Tactics Came From Guantanamo]</ref>. In court testimony following the revelations of [[Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse]], it was stated that Col. Thomas M. Pappas approved the use of dogs for interrogations. Pvt. Ivan L. Frederick testified that interrogators were authorized to use dogs and that a civilian contract interrogator left him lists of the cells he wanted dog handlers to visit. "They were allowed to use them to&nbsp;... intimidate inmates," Frederick stated. Two soldiers, Sgt. Santos A. Cardona and Sgt. Michael J. Smith, were then charged with maltreatment of detainees, for allegedly encouraging and permitting unmuzzled working dogs to threaten and attack them. Prosecutors have focused on an incident caught in published photographs, when the two men allegedly cornered a naked detainee and allowed the dogs to bite him on each thigh as he cowered in fear<ref>Testimony taken from the [[Washington Post]], published on-line as [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/26/AR2005072601792.html Testimony Further Links Procedures at 2 Facilities]</ref>. The use of dogs on prisoners by regular US forces in [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base]] was prohibited by [[Donald Rumsfeld]] in April 2003. A few months later following revelations of abuses at [[Abu Ghraib prison]], including use of dogs to terrify naked prisoners; Rumsfeld then issued a further order prohibiting their use by the regular US forces in Iraq. <ref>Timelines on when the two bans on the use of dogs by Rumsfeld were issued as published by [[USA Today]], published on-line as : [http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-07-19-iraq-dogs_x.htm Top commanders in Iraq allowed dogs to be used]</ref>. ==In fiction== Even in [[military science fiction]], the use of war dogs is somewhat rare. One notable exception is [[Robert A. Heinlein]]'s novel ''[[Starship Troopers]]''. In it, genetically modified dogs known as "Calebs" are used, for the most part, for comic relief. In [[Harry Turtledove]]'s ''[[Worldwar: In the Balance]]'', an [[alternate history]] novel where aliens invade the Earth during the Second World War, the Soviets use [[anti-tank dogs]] on alien tanks. In [[Max Brooks]]'s "[[World War Z]]", where zombies attacking the world, during the counter attack dogs were used to bring swarms of zombies to the firing lines of US armies in order to shoot them as they approached. They were also used as advanced scouts to locate any other swarms of zombies in cities and in various locations around the country and to detect if anyone was infected and risked turning into a zombie. Scout dogs are used to scent detect cyborg robots at the entrance to human settlements in James Cameron's sci-fi 1984 movie ''[[Terminator]]'' starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael Biehn. The scene in question shows Arnold's longtime buddy Franco Columbo in a cameo as a cyborg who infiltrates until detected by a dog and opens up with automatic fire on unarmed families in a sub-way like bunker. The scene is a memory of Sgt Kyle Reese who "served in the 132nd under Perry from 2021 to 2027 before transferring as a sergeant to Tech-Com under John Connor himself". ===In gaming=== *In the ''[[Killzone]]'' video game series, the [[Helghast]] are reported to have employed dogs in their campaign on [[Vekta]]. Dogs did not appear in the first Killzone game, but do in the [[PlayStation Portable]] game ''[[Killzone: Liberation]]''. *In ''[[Command and Conquer: Red Alert]]'', [[Soviet]] commanders can train and use attack dogs to kill infantry units with one bite. In ''[[Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2]]'', both the [[Allies]] and [[Soviets]] can train dogs that kill infantry and sniff out spies. They are also useful when exploring the map. *In ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'', dogs are used as sentries and can detect the player by smell. *In ''[[Age of Empires 3]]'', players can use War Dogs as the Spanish civilization to explore or participate in battle. *In ''[[Wolfenstein 3D]]'', the player is confronted with Nazi attack dogs. Following complaints from [[Animal rights|animal-rights]] activists, however, the dogs were replaced with mutant [[rat]]s in the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Nintendo]] version of the game. *In ''[[Rome: Total War]]'', the player can use wardogs as they would a normal squad of soldiers. *In ''[[Splinter Cell]]'' and ''[[Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow]]'', agent Sam Fisher occasionally encounters guard dogs during operations, which can detect him with smell as well as sight and sound, making them a particular threat. No guard dogs feature in ''[[Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory]]'' and ''[[Splinter Cell: Double Agent]]''. *In ''[[Call of Duty 4]]'', the protagonist occasionally encounters guard dogs. They do not, however, seem to be able to detect the player with scent or enhanced hearing, and only attack when the player's presence has already been detected. They can kill the player instantly if they are able to jump on him or her, though the player has a brief window in which to stop the dog's attack. They can also be killed by being shot or knifed like humans. ==See also== *[[Ancient warfare]] *[[Canes Pugnaces]] *[[Pugnaces Britanniae]], the extinct "War Dog of Britannia" breed. *[[Rags (dog)]], a famous messenger dog who saved many lives in the crucial [[Meuse-Argonne]] Campaign by delivering a vital message despite being bombed, gassed and partially blinded. *[[Chips (dog)]] *[[Lex (dog)]] *[[Smoky (dog)]] *[[Sergeant Stubby]] ==Books== *''Rags, The Dog Who Went to War'', Jack Rohan, Diggory Press, ISBN 978-1846853647. * ''Only A Dog'', Bertha Whitridge-Smith, ISBN 978-1846853654 . * ''Captain Loxley's Little Dog And Lassie The Life-saving Collie: Hero Dogs of the First World War Associated With The Sinking of H.M.S. Formidable'', ISBN 978-1905363131. * ''Pierrot the Carabinier: Dog of Belgium'', Walter A. Dyer, ISBN 1846850363. ==External links== {{commonscat|Military working dogs}} *[http://www.uswardogs.org/id16.html US war dogs remembered] *[http://www.qmfound.com/War_Dogs.htm US war dogs] *[http://www.bulldoginformation.com/war-dogs.html War Dogs] *[http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/03/08/army.robot.dog/index.html Robotic dog of war] *[http://www.qmfound.com/K-9.htm Quartermaster Dog Training Program: History] *[http://community-2.webtv.net/Hahn-50thAP-K9/K9History/ K-9 History: The Dogs of War] *[http://www.vspa.com/k9/bases.htm Vietnam Security Police Association K-9 Pages] *[http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/08/ap_wardogs_070812a/ "Dogs in war receive loyalty, top care"] *[http://www.qmfound.com/War_Dogs_Bibliography.htm War Dogs Bibliography] *[http://www.mil.fi/maavoimat/joukot/skos/ Sotakoiraosasto - Finnish war dogs] *[http://www.militaryworkingdogmemorial.com The Military Working Dog Memorial] ==References== {{reflist|2}} {{Dog nav}} [[Category:Working dogs]] [[Category:Dog training and behavior]] [[Category:Military animals]] [[ja:軍犬]] [[no:Militær tjenestehund]]