Military working dogs have been in the spotlight recently thanks to Conan, the MWD that hunted down ISIS leader Abū Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria during a Delta Force raid. But Conan is far from the beginning of the military fur missile ancestry line. So when were dogs first used in warfare?
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The first mention of dogs being used in warfare is in 600 B.C. When Alyattes, the King of Lydia battled the Cimmerians, ancient records read that he ordered his troops to be accompanied by a "number of large and fierce dogs." The Egyptians in 525 BC used dogs in warfare in a slightly different way — considered sacred, dogs were frequently placed on the front lines because no Egyptian would fire upon the sacred animal.
In the United States, many centuries later, dogs were first introduced to war zones as pets and mascots.
Soon, of course, the true potential of canines in the war zone came to light — and dogs started to enlist.
While an unofficial canine force existed during World War I, dogs were not officially recognized by the U.S. military until March 13, 1942, with the establishment of the private organization, Dogs for Defense. In the beginning, Dogs for Defense was all-volunteer and family pets were handed over to the Army for training.
Dogs quickly started to distinguish themselves with acts of gallantry in the field — including war hero dog Sgt. Stubby.
Army Sgt. Stubby earned the Purple Heart twice during World War I. Once for his actions during a gas attack and once for being wounded by a grenade — after being smuggled into Europe by members of the 102nd Infantry Regiment. This is the highest military award any dog has received.
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Dogs were soon performing a whole range of duties in the field — tunnel dogs, sentry dogs, detection dogs, hunting dogs, tracking dogs. Dogs even boarded on Navy ships — keeping rats at bay and morale high.
And, of course, they also served as companions to their handlers.
These dogs followed their handlers into any fight where they were needed — and they continue to do so to this day. During the Vietnam War, an estimated 232 MWDs were killed. Approximately 109 have been killed during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As warfare modernizes and evolves, so does the work and equipment of MWDs. These dogs are used for patrol, drug and explosive detection, and specialized mission functions — and the Department of Defense is working to design equipment to help them do their jobs including innovative ear protection.
Innovative hearing protection may safeguard military working dogs
And, more and more, the work of these canines in combat is being recognized. This year, military working dogs were honored with memorials, medals, awards, and even a Forever stamp.
You can finally buy Forever stamps featuring military working dogs
Thank you to all four-legged service members.