Dogs in the War

Since World War I, dogs have served in the U.S. military; they have served in both world wars. Dogs were also used in Korea, Afghanistan, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Bosnia, Iraq and Kosovo. These animals are trained as trackers, scouts and for sentry duty. Military dogs and their handlers are trained to identify mines and booby traps and for water detection of the enemy.

  1. Generalized Usage of Military Dogs

    • Currently, dogs serve in all branches of the U.S. military. Many of these canines specialize in bomb and explosion detection; with their handlers, they patrol ammunition depots and military compounds. In addition, military dogs are deployed at military checkpoints and on military air bases. In 2011, some 600 to 700 military dogs were on duty in the Middle East, serving in Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.

    Dogs in Vietnam

    • Military dogs may have saved more than 10,000 lives during the war in Vietnam, according to Olive-Drab, an online directory and historical record of military dogs and their handlers. It was during this conflict that U.S. military dogs took a more direct role in direct combat. The jungle environment in Vietnam made it difficult for soldiers to see or hear the enemy, particularly during the hours of darkness. Dogs, with their superior senses, became invaluable under these difficult conditions. Scout dogs were taught to alert their handlers to both living persons and to unfamiliar inanimate objects. Many of these military canines specialized in the detection of trip wires, mines, booby traps and tunnels.

    Iraq War

    • According to the U.S. Central Command, in Doha, Qatar, details of the specific work that military dogs were deployed to do in Iraq and the exact number of animals which are still in service, is secret, as of spring 2011. Major Frank Schaddelee, the commander of the squadron responsible for the training of all military working dogs in 2003, indicated that bomb-detection dogs were deployed in Iraq, where they searched buildings and cars for bombs. The Army usually deploys German shepherds and Belgian Malinois because of their intelligence and ability to work diligently.

    Retirement

    • Veteran military dogs older than 10 years of age were originally euthanized, or put to sleep. During the year 2000, however, a new law made provision for retired dogs to be adopted. The dog's current or former handler is allowed to adopt the animal, as are civilians who are in a position to care correctly for it. Law enforcement agencies are also allowed to adopt veteran military dogs. Many who respect the efforts of these animals during their years of service in the military welcome the opportunity to adopt them.