War Dogs | Dogs use during Wars

During the First World War, dogs were an invaluable asset to European armies. Guidance given for training of war dogs was just as punctilious as that given out for the loading of rifles and guns, as it was recognized that much depended on these dogs and of course the consummate skill of their trainers.

The breeds most usually associated with carrying out duties during the war years were the German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian), Airedale, Rottweiler and Giant Schnauzer, although many other breeds were used because, apart from the skill of the trainer, success depended on a dogs intelligence and endurance. France appears to have been the first country to employ the dog in infantry manoeuvres, but the experiment was rather short lived as there was some criticism that credits had not been entered regularly in the Ministry of War budget. The dog was used extensively in Germany and also in Russia where at every dog show there was a special section reserved for 'Dogs of War'. Dogs called 'kettle-drum dogs', or simply 'drum dogs' were used in the Austrian army for drawing the large drum of the regimental band. The drum was pulled along on a small carriage but eventually the dogs which had pulled the carriage were replaced by ponies. The dog carried out a variety of valuable services during wartime — some took the place of night watchmen, while others did sterling work conveying the injured, both human and canine, with a special canine ambulance service for transporting injured dogs. It was recognized that a good dog was well worth effort in nursing it back to health and when fully recovered many were sent back to the front. Dogs were also highly useful in pulling carriages which conveyed supplies and light artillery.
          
Dog recruits
During the early years of the First World War, dogs were not always appreciated as much as was their due and messenger dogs were not frequently used. However, it quickly became apparent that dogs could accomplish great things and they earned high respect. Like the dogs used for conveying artillery, many different breeds of dogs were used as messengers although the Airedale. Sheepdog, Lurcher and Collie were much favored and as time went on, more and more dogs being needed, many a crossbreed or mongrel found roaming the streets in search of food was recruited to the ranks. The War Office put out an appeal to private homes and to dogs' homes, resulting in many dogs being put forward for training. Many such dogs would have suffered hard times had they not been enrolled as it became increasingly difficult for families to feed their canine companions as the war years progressed. Many of these dogs arrived for training in a thin, weak condition, but the services were able to offer them nourishing food and plenty of exercise.

Dogs in action helped to keep the army's communication lines unbroken by getting safely through under shellfire, carrying urgent messages to and from headquarters. Frequently messenger dogs could get through when there was virtually no chance of a human runner surviving the journey. They could more easily negotiate treacherous ground and could cover 3.2—4.8 km (2—3 miles) in a few minutes.

When attack was expected, the dogs were taken to the front-line trenches where they were sheltered in a dug-out during bombardment. Then, when an urgent message needed to be sent, it was enclosed in a small leather pouch and attached to a dog's neck, indicating the time of release. If successful, a dog could usually be expected to reach 'home’ within half an hour.

Acclimatizing to warfare
During training, dogs became accustomed to all the sounds of war, including battery shells screaming overhead and Lorries passing by. It was imperative that they got used to the sound of gunfire so that when carrying messages it would be no deterrent. They coped with explosions of hand grenades in their immediate vicinity. Punishment was not resorted to during training and most of the dogs seemed to enjoy the training.

As messengers, dogs had advantages over other means of communication and when they knew their destination they tried hard to get there. Pigeons could not be sent in fog or in the dark, but some dogs conveyed messenger pigeons in crates on their backs. Mustard gas did affect the dogs but not as much as the soldiers. During service, dogs were not allowed to be petted in case it detached their minds from their keepers, but all were well fed before going to the front and they were never kept there for more than 12 hours at a time.