Military working dogs

More Than a Dog . . .
A Soldier, A Partner

Military working dogs first entered the service in March of 1942 to serve in the Army’s K-9 Corps. Today, the dogs, who have an actual military service record book assigned to them, are still playing an active role in searching for explosives and seizing the enemy.

Four-Legged Forces Fight Terrorism USAIC Public Affairs Office – Military working dogs have been used by the U.S. armed forces since World War I. In World War II, 436 scout dogs walked combat patrols overseas, often detecting the enemy at a 1,000 yards, long before men became aware of them. Dogs continued to serve with distinction in other conflicts.

In Korea, the Army used about 1,500 dogs, primarily for guard duty. During the Vietnam War, nearly 4,000 dogs were employed and, officially, 281 were killed in action.