Dogs in Warfare

Monuments across the world depict animals’ role in humanity’s conflicts. They’ve ran next to us during the big hunt and even fought with soldiers in war.

Through mine fields, air strikes and fields of barbed wire, creatures from the animal kingdom have travelled all over the world to aid humans in the act of war. One of the more popular animals used in combat are dogs for their ability to guard, pull sleds, carry messages, help reconnaissance patrols find hidden enemy soldiers and help the medical corps find and rescue wounded soldiers.

Mike Beckett, known as the 21^st Century Dogman, has been training dogs for personal and professional purposes for over 17 years. He said a number of his trainees were trained for combat and started as young as four months and are in service for as long as five years.

“If a dog has been bred over generations to do that type of work then its better, they can be finding explosives, live rounds that have been discharged, bombs on a car, any kind of residue from gun powder or accelerants, anything that can be used,” said Beckett. “Most of them are trained in all categories. Some are just used for extractions like taking out a target. If you have a dog that is trained in extraction and explosives, it would be called a dual-purpose dog.”

The 21^st Century K9 program for combat dogs starts with stability training, learning to keep focused on a specific target, various stress exercises, obedience and agility training.

“It is fighting with you, it is close to you,” said Beckett. “If you have a personal affection dog you’re not going to be sending it away on a target.”

Preferred breeds among the military are German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds and the Belgian Malinois because of their reliability as tracking animals who work well in all climates. Some of the qualifications for the dogs in combat include a calm personality, attentiveness and little to no aggression issues.

Sgt. Steve Kaye, the President of the Canadian Police Canine Association, has been working with police canines for 26 years. He said all the dogs in his canine unit are extremely obedient, raising the bar for any potential canine handler.

“A Patrol Officer in the canine unit must be completely capable in all regards and be in above average physical condition,” said Kaye. “They must be comfortable with dogs and must pass all aspects of the canine selection process. Failure in any step results in immediate elimination as a potential candidate.”

After an animal has fulfilled their time in service, some are put on a list for adoptions or are befriended by human comrades who later take responsibility for it. According to libraryindex.com, flying an animal across international borders and dealing with bureaucratic issues can cost as much as $2,000. International animal welfare groups and military support organizations have stepped up to help raise money and attract volunteers to transport these animals to their new homes.

Despite several months of training and professional upbringing, soldiers have recorded their trust and comfort in their four-legged companions. This has made animal assisted therapy the most effective way of reducing stress, anxiety and depression, continuing the military’s use of animals after being overseas and giving the animal another purpose after retirement.