Furry, friendly, and fierce—recognizing military working dogs on National Dog Day
Dogs can make us feel our best when we’re at our lowest, convince us to ditch adult responsibilities to play fetch, and show us endless love when we walk in the door. And even though in our hearts, every day is dog day, it’s always fun to return that puppy love by filling our social feeds with dog photos on National Dog Day.
So why do we have this designated date to dote on our dogs? Officially started in 2004, National Dog Day is the brainchild of Colleen Paige, a dog trainer and author, pet and family lifestyle expert, and pet rescue advocate. The celebration on Aug. 26 each year recognizes the day she adopted her first dog and works to bring attention to adoption.
Dogs bring us unbridled joy and comfort, but as Paige points out, many of these pups also are working on the front lines of law enforcement and military efforts, health detection, therapy, personal safety, crises situations, and more. They need some recognition for doing amazing things that even their owners or handlers can’t accomplish.
Dogs have an extensive and remarkable history in the military. Sure, they are fuzzy and cute, but these War Dogs, as they’re known, also are extensively trained in countless specialties. Their efforts are so significant that the U.S. Postal Service honored military working dogs with their own set of stamps in 2019.
There is no mistaking, they have been huge contributors to military efforts for centuries.
The start of ‘War Dogs’
As with any military strategy, the use of dogs in warfare and military service has evolved tremendously. The first known use of dogs in war dates back to 600 BC, and early integration of dogs on the front lines meant that they attacked the enemy first, tearing through the approaching ranks.
In the U.S. military, dogs first worked as morale boosters, guards, and mascots. Reports from as far back as the Civil War shared stories of dogs working behind the scenes, and an unofficial canine war force began in World War I. One famed furry companion, Stubby, befriended the 102nd infantry and headed overseas where he boosted morale and warned troops of impending attacks. Even after being injured and gassed, Stubby completed his service and was promoted to sergeant. His popularity earned him a children’s book, honorary awards, and a display at the Smithsonian!
Officially, dogs were called to duty on March 13, 1942, with the establishment of Dogs for Defense. This private group asked the public for help building the military’s first K-9 Corps. Dogs for Defense recruited specific breeds of dogs from the American public to train them for military service. Dogs who excelled learned to be messengers, sentries, scouts, and mine detectors. Dogs for Defense secured about 18,000 dogs for the U.S. military.
An evolving effort
From Chips, who managed to capture 14 Italian soldiers in one day during World War II, to Cairo, who worked as a member of Seal Team Six to bring down Osama bin Laden, dogs remain devoted to their significant and changing roles in the military.
Dogs have been jumping out of military planes since the 1940s. They detect bombs, warn of enemies, attack combatants, deliver messages, sniff out spies, and take on rescue efforts.
In Korea, dogs often worked night patrol, exposing the enemy. During Vietnam, canines did everything from mine and booby-trap detection to patrol to combat. Our military dogs were so hated by the enemies (yes, because these dogs are THAT good) that in Korea, they had a $20,000 bounty on their heads!
Shifting to the Middle East, military dogs were specially trained to detect explosives, protect troops, and provide therapy and service. Nothing to this point can replace a dog’s ability to sniff out an IED. With a sense of smell two times better than a human, military dogs in Iraq and Afghanistan could warn troops well before an IED exploded.
The demand for well-trained military dogs continues to increase. Today, military working dogs and their handlers are all trained at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and a fully trained bomb detection dog is worth more than $150,000. Some of these dogs are bred in Lackland, but the vast majority of the U.S. military’s dogs come from overseas.
The American Kennel Club developed the AKC Detection Dog Task Force to raise awareness of the growing need for special breeds of dogs. The AKC’s Patriotic Puppy Program helps educate breeders on how to raise pups for this very specialized work. New pups enter a 5-month foster program with volunteers in the San Antonio area where they learn to play and socialize.
Common military working dogs include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and occasionally Poodles and Jack Russell Terriers for detection. Security dogs are usually shepherds.
Retired life
After dedicating their lives to service, every effort is made to retire a military working dog to its handler’s home. A handler knows his or her dog, and the dog will protect their handler to the end.
If for some reason a handler can’t adopt their dog, then arrangements are made for adoption from the public. Because of the special training these dogs receive, decommissioned military working dogs are not sent to shelters or rescues. These dogs were sometimes trained for lethal purposes and have unique responses to certain commands. They typically do not make good family pets, but for the right person, they are loyal, talented, and loving.
Although plenty of people are interested in adopting puppies who don’t make it through military training, there is a growing need for adoptive parents of older, retired military working dogs.
If you’re interested in adopting a military working dog, check with Air Force officials at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Or fill out an application to adopt a working dog through Mission K9 Rescue. A few things to keep in mind before you apply:
- Will a working dog fit well in your home or environment?
- Will a working dog fit in with other pets?
- How young are the members of your home?
- Do you have a fence?
- Do you have a veterinarian?
- Do you have references?
- Can you transport the dog?
- Do you have enough time to devote to the dog?
It’s also important to remember that the military wants to find the best homes for their furry friends. The adoption process in some cases can take up to two years.
If you’ve considered the above and have a lot of love in your heart for these four-legged heroes, then start working on an application!
Honoring these military heroes
On this National Dog Day, absolutely share photos of you and your pup to your heart’s content!
If you and Fido have time for a road trip, you can throw some love to our military working dogs by visiting the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument at Lackland Air Force Base. The national monument recognizes all wars since World War II as well as all five branches of the U.S. Armed Services.
Or check out a number of organizations that support military working dogs and see how you can contribute.
Whether working tirelessly in the field or snuggling on the couch, these pups prove their worth every second. Happy National Dog Day!
