The Military Dog

Man has started and finished wars since prehistoric times and his canine companions have been a very important part of his war efforts. History tells us of some civilizations that were unique in their practice of honoring both the two-footed and four-pawed soldiers involved in battles. They would revere the memories of brave canines that had fought right next to them, by painting murals. Times might have changed, as have the roles of dogs in warfare, but the practice continues. Military dogs are still a crucial part of many successful military campaigns.

Roles of Military Dogs

Even though military working dogs are deployed to the front lines of an ongoing battle very rarely, they are still play an important part. Their role has evolved with time  and they have very specialized roles now like in covert operations. As time has changed, so have the type of battlefields. The battles and campaigns that we face today are miles away from what our forbears faced and fought. Today, the enemy is often a wolf in sheep’s clothing, well hidden among the civilians. This is where military canines come into action. These dogs are trained to react within a split-second, if an armed “civilian” attacks or even passes by them.

In today’s world, weapons have diversified to include explosives that may be expertly hidden or disguised. By the time they are figured out, the damage has usually been done. A trained military dog is often used for scouting, surveillance and detection of such explosives. The military canine picks up on minute scents given off by explosive materials, before the explosives go off. Outfitted with the latest of technologies, canine can now help military teams scout an area before the others move in. Innovative advances now allow small cameras to be attached to the dog’s head, so that the handler can monitor and see what the dog sees beforehand.

Breeds Used As Military Dogs

German Shepherds form the lion’s share of all military working dogs while Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds are slowly gaining popularity. Unfortunately, wearing a specially designed bullet-resistant Kevlar vest does not make a military canine indestructible. Often military memorials also bear the names of dogs who met their end while in service to their country. They only remind us of the true nature of a dog – loyalty and bravery to the very end. To read more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com