Dogs have served alongside humans in every aspect either in farms, households, as a companionship or even in wars. Either in the muddy trenches or in the roads of Afghanistan which are (Intermittent Explosive Device) IED- ridden roads. They’ve performed several duties which were very critical and also saved many lives. These loyal animals have been medics, scouts, messengers, rescue and what not.
⛑️ The Beginning: Dogs in World War I
When Germany entered the second World War, they had over 6,000 trained dogs with them.
(Source: Julius-K9 – War Dogs in WW1)
In comparison to that Britain had none which was devastating. First official war dog training center was established in 1914 in Essex by Lt. Col. Edwin Hautenville Richardson and his wife Blanche.
(Source: BBC – Dogs of War Documentary)
7,000 dogs were ready and deployed in the war by the British Military.
(Source: National WWI Museum and Memorial – Dogs in WWI)
🔧 Roles and Responsibilities
During WWI, dogs had variety and important tasks:
📨 Messenger Dogs
These dogs were trained to carry important and vital communications across all the battlefields. They were very effective because of their size and speed. They can easily pass through trenches, areas with barbed wire and active gunfire.
(Source: Julius-K9 – War Dogs in WW1)
🩹 Mercy Dogs
They were used in battle zones to look for the wounded or the dead bodies. The main aim was to guide the medics to assist them to look for the wounded or to find the dead body. They also carried medical supplies.
(Source: Julius-K9 – War Dogs in WW1)
👀 Sentry Dogs
They were basically the guard dogs at night when the soldiers were resting or asleep. They were trained to alert soldiers silently if they detected any unusual activity.
(Source: National WWI Museum and Memorial)
🔊 Alarm and Patrol Dogs
They were trained to sniff gases and give alerts about the gas attacks or any other types of attack like artillery, shells and military advances. They were mostly placed in sentries to react as quickly as possible of any unusual activity, noise or smell.
(Source: National WWI Museum and Memorial)
🦮 Scout Dogs
They were basically first line of defence for soldiers before they enter any new place. These dogs could detect foot patrols, hidden objects or enemies or any wires which were used to tap any activity. They were highly trained to stay quiet and signal their handlers using body language rather than making any noise.
(Source: National WWI Museum and Memorial)
🧺 Supply Dogs
They were comparatively large size. As the name suggests they were used to transport small supply bags with food or water or even ammunitions. They were very useful in some cases where big vehicles or horses couldn’t reach. They were very useful in the case where the enemy forces surrounds the troops and cut off their supplies.
(Source: Julius-K9 – War Dogs in WW1)
These roles have saved thousands of human lives in the war.
💣 World War II and Expanding Duties
Following the success of dogs in World War I, the British army embraced dogs in World War II as well. Government requests the families to donate their dogs to help the military.
Roles expanded to include:
🧭 Mine Detection Dogs
They were extremely useful in detecting bombs, landmines or any explosives by their smell. Some of them are also able to find mines which were deeply in the ground. These dogs predominantly helped the infantry and sappers. They were mostly in Italy, France and Northern Africa.
(Source: Forces News – Canine Courage)
🦮 Scout Dogs
They were very useful like in the World War I. During World War II, trainers extensively prepared them for similar roles as in previous conflicts. As part of their duties, these dogs moved ahead of soldiers to detect hidden ambushes or snipers and alert the troops in time.
(Source: Forces News – Canine Courage)
🦺 Search and Rescue Dogs
They were very important during the Blitz. Since, many people were in the buildings, these dogs actively searched for them and saved numerous human lives. Rip, a rescue dog in London located over 100 people alone.
(Source: BBC News – Search Dog Memorial Unveiled)
📨 Messenger Dogs
They were very useful like in the WWI. They play a vital role in delivering posts, letters and communications, especially in the areas where the communication are cut off or vulnerable.
(Source: Forces News – Canine Courage)
🐀 Rat Catching and Vermin Control
They dogs were very important as there were a lot of dead bodies and lack of cleanliness in the war. These rats carries diseases and spread to the other soldiers due to which the dogs catches those rats as well. They were mostly in ships, camps and especially in the trenches.
(Source: BBC – Dogs of War Documentary)
🧺 Pack and Sled Dogs
They were very useful in mountainous or any region where it snowed. They were predominantly in Scandinavia, Italy or in the eastern parts of Europe. Dogs transported all the supplies including medicines, foods, gears, and ammunitions. Moreover, these dogs easily pass through places where vehicles couldn’t pass through, therefore they were handy.
(Source: Forces News – Canine Courage)
🚧 Guard and Prisoner Escort Dogs
They were helps the soldiers in the prisoner camps where there were POW (Prisoner of War). These dogs prevented POW from escaping. They guarded the perimeters and even guarded the ammunition depot from unauthorized personnel.
(Source: Forces News – Canine Courage)
Globally, Allied forces used around 250,000 dogs in WWII. They did a wide range of roles and responsibilities.
(Source: Forces News – Canine Courage)
🎖️ The Canine Medal of Honor: Dickin Medal
In 1943, The PDSA introduced the Dickin Medal as an award for animals for their bravery.
🐶 Notable War Dogs
An air raid warden adopts Rip. Rip located around 100 people during the Blitz.
(Source: BBC News – Search Dog Memorial Unveiled)
Fig: Rip
Sasha served in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. She helped in detecting IEDs and caches. Sasha died alongside her handler (Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe) in an ambush.
(Source: PDSA – Sasha’s Story)
“For a deeper look at the broader heritage of dogs in the United Kingdom, check out From Wolves to Royal Friends: The Wonderful Heritage of Dogs in the United Kingdom.”
Theo and his handler found 14 IEDs. This is the record by any British team in Afghanistan. Theo dies of shock seizure just after his handler L/Cpl Liam Tasker died.
(Source: Forces News – Canine Courage)
Rifleman Khan, a German shepherd, saved his handler from drowning. During an assault on the island of Walcheren, Netherlands, Khan and Lance Corporal James Muldoon were on a landing craft when it came under heavy gunfire. Muldoon was struggling to swim because of the weight of heavy equipment. Khan brought back Muldoon to safety by dragging him from mud and water.
(Source: PDSA – Dickin Medal Archive)
🎓 Training, Pay & Retirement
They train war dogs as early as 5-7 months old. They teach dogs to be obedient, detecting things, and reacting in a certain way to noise, gunfire or smell.
(Source: Forces News – Canine Courage)
Dogs don’t directly receive a salary. Their handlers get special allowances to take care of dogs for their food and other needs. The dogs are provided with food, healthcare and shelter.
(Source: Forces News – Canine Courage)
Most of the dogs are end up with someone. Their handlers and some veterans adopt them. Sadly, sometimes they become alone. In such time charities like Service Dogs Uk or Bravehound come forward as a helping hands.
(Source: Bravehound Official Website)
🏛️ Honoring Their Legacy
In 2004, Anne, Princess Royal, unveiled the Animals in War memorial in Hyde Park, London. She honoured the thousands of animals that served and lost their lives under the British Military. David Blackhouse was the designer.
(Source: Animals in War Memorial Trust)
📝 Final Thoughts
Dogs are the unsung heroes in many historic events. Dogs have been loyal and brave. Everybody should celebrate them as a soldier in their own right, not just as a helper. They gave everything they could.