What role did dogs play in WWII?

Historically, dogs have been a constant part of warfare since the days of the Ancient Egyptians. While dog use declined in the 1930s, the U.S. had restarted its War Dog Program by 1942 which prepared dogs for combat during World War Two. Here are some of the roles played by dogs:

• They were used at home to warn against potential attacks and intruder, e.g. dog did patrols on U.S. beaches and were used by the...

Historically, dogs have been a constant part of warfare since the days of the Ancient Egyptians. While dog use declined in the 1930s, the U.S. had restarted its War Dog Program by 1942 which prepared dogs for combat during World War Two. Here are some of the roles played by dogs:

• They were used at home to warn against potential attacks and intruder, e.g. dog did patrols on U.S. beaches and were used by the Navy to guard training facilities.


• Dogs were trained to be silent so that they could scout areas and act as messengers in combat zones, especially by the Marine Corps in Japan.


• From 1943, dogs were used to detect mines.


• Sentry dogs were trained to walk with their handler while on patrol. The sentry dog barked to indicate the presence of enemy troops.


• Some dogs were trained to attack the enemy and accompanied troops on manoeuvres.


• Sled and pack dogs helped to transport goods and equipment.