Dogs of War

Today is the 11/11/2015 we know this day as Remembrance Day. At 11 am on 11 November in 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after years of continuous warfare. On this day we remember and pay tribute to all the people who lost their lives, both in the Great War and in all conflict since then.

We would like to give a thought also to our military service animals in particular today the dogs of war. Australian Defence Force Personnel & Military Working Dogs have served our country proudly in many theatres of war over the past 70 years. Military working dogs provide specialist sensory, tracking, detection, early warning of adversary positions and protection capabilities to counter numerous threats across a range of environments – both domestically and overseas. This is achieved through highly trained military working dog and handler teams.

The Special Operations military working dogs are a variety of breeds and ages, and are sourced directly from breeders or animal rescue organizations. Mixed breeds have shown to be just as effective in explosive detection dogs as pure bred dogs. Dogs provide a sense of smell and hearing far superior to that of a human, are obedient and responsive when well trained.

From www.aussiewardogs.org

Military working dogs form a very close relationship with their designated handler, and indeed with all members of the units they are posted to, and are regarded as an integral component of their respective units.

The dogs of war put their lives at risk in order to protect the lives of our service men and women, they are extremely loyal companions, brave, stoic, and fearless.

On this special day, let us also consider the dogs of war who lost their lives protecting their beloved human servicemen and women. Lest we forget.