Military Use of Dogs

Military working dogs have been serving the United States in many different ways. They are responsible for saving countless lives and detecting numerous bombs and explosive materials. The dogs undergo training for military use at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

  1. History

    • Military working dogs date back to World War I, when they were used to kill rats in the trenches. In World War II, over 10,000 trained military dogs were deployed as sentries, scouts, messengers and explosives detectors.

    Recruitment

    • German shepherds and Belgian Malanois are recruited for military use at one to two years old.

    Jobs

    • Military dogs are used in patrol, explosive detection and specialized mission functions. Dogs can be trained for search and rescue, explosives detection, and patrol or guard duty. A dog's sense of smell is five to 10 times stronger than a human's, making them perfect for this line of work.

    Training

    • Military working dogs undergo 11 weeks of training at the handler course at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. The training teaches the dog advanced obedience and how to sniff for specific substances, such as drugs or explosives.

    Retirement

    • Military working dogs can be retired from their service due to a medical discharge, such as loss of scent or hip dysplasia. Others are released if they cannot complete the handler training. Retiring dogs can be adopted if approved by Lackland Air Force Base. The handler has first choice of adoption, then law enforcement, then civilians.

    Fun Facts

    • The dogs have military service books assigned to them. Each dog is treated as if it is a human soldier.