What Dogs Does the Military Use? – 12 Common Breeds

Dogs, humanity’s dearest friends, demonstrate unwavering loyalty and stand by their human partners.

Just like our courageous K9s, military dog breeds such as Dutch Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador Retrievers offer invaluable support and protection to soldiers in the heat of combat.

Let’s explore what dogs does the military use and examine the expertly trained canines serving diverse roles in K-9 units for their nation.

Breeds of Dogs Used in the Military

Understanding the dogs used in the military is significant to fathom their unique traits and behaviors, ultimately deepening our appreciation for these remarkable canines.

Explore the diverse military dog breeds and their unique characteristics and traits.

1. German Shepherd

Many mistakenly spell German Shepherds as “German Shepard.”These noble military working dogs are large, quick-witted, and protective.

They display unwavering loyalty while serving as guards, messengers, and battlefield aides.

German Shepherds excel in rescue operations and frontline communication, significantly supporting soldiers during missions.

2. Rottweiler

These dogs are renowned as war dog breeds, specifically bred to be the ultimate guard dogs.

Rottweilers are unparalleled in their bravery, unwavering commitment, intelligence, and courage, with no signs of timidity.

3. Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a special forces military dog known for its exceptional protective nature, requiring rigorous training and discipline. With lightning speed, they are ideal for tactical operations.

These dogs are remarkable in various ways, serving therapeutic purposes, search and rescue, drug and bomb detection, and more.

4. Doberman Pinscher

These dogs in combat were the US Marine Corps stars in WWII, earning the nickname “Devil Dogs.” Despite their rugged exterior, these dogs are friendly and charming and form close ties with people.

5. Boxer

Boxers have a long history of being used as police and guide dogs. These common military dogs are renowned for their playful nature, high energy levels, and intelligence.

They fulfill many functions as attack dogs, messengers, and pack carriers, highlighting their worth as working dogs.

6. Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes are impressive, large army dog breeds. They were one the first canine breeds trained for military parachute use.

Breeders initially breed these dogs for their endurance and fortitude.

7. Giant Schnauzer

These canines are esteemed partners of the FBI International, excelling in police, rescue, and the military. They have territorial instincts that make them formidable. They do not wag their tails on visitors, and we can say that their presence demands respect.

8. Mastiff

Mastiff dogs rank among the top choices for military duty, earning high regard.

These dogs actively engage in attacking enemies ahead of the soldiers during combat. They fulfill crucial roles as hunters, guards, war dogs, and bomb detectors.

9. Border Collie

These military canines receive recognition for their exceptional intelligence, standing out as the greatest of the best in cleverness.

These Border Collies actively fulfill vital roles as messengers, sentries, and locators for missing troops.

10. Bloodhound

The military relies heavily on Bloodhounds for their exceptional scent detection skills, utilizing them to locate weapons stockpiles, enemy soldiers, and narcotics.

These dogs possess remarkable sniffing abilities, enabling them to detect scents even in water.

11. Labrador Retriever

The military highly values Labrador Retrievers for their exceptional sense of smell, which proves invaluable in bomb-sniffing and detection operations. Moreover, their tireless energy makes them well-suited for long-duty assignments.

12. Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is a vital messenger between troops and commanding officers in the trenches. Additionally, they stand watch, diligently alerting troops of approaching enemies.

Specializations and Roles

Dogs have distinct specialties, categorizing them into groups such as herding dogs, therapy dogs, service dogs, police dogs, military working dogs, detection dogs, and search and rescue dogs.

Below, we outline the diverse roles that these remarkable canines fulfill:

• Mascots
• Communication and Logistics
• Intimidation
• Fighting
• Law Enforcement
• Sentries
• Scouts
• Detection & Tracking
• Retirement
• Modern uses
• Medical Research

Importance 0f Dogs in the Military

Why do dogs hold importance in the military?

Despite the average price of $150,000 for a fully trained dog specialized in bomb detection, the military still employs many of them as their partners.

During wars, soldiers enlisted various animals, but conflicts arose due to their limitations in fully serving the military. In contrast, trained dogs possess intelligence, alertness, safeguard troops, and aid in enemy tracking.

That’s why, similar to soldiers, K-9s undergo intense training to qualify for military service. They undergo a rigorous training program that lasts nearly four months, preparing them for responsibilities such as patrolling, detecting, and tracking agents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Military’s Highest-Ranked Dog?

Stubby, a stray pit bull mix, holds the distinguished title of the highest-ranking dog. He is the only canine to have been nominated and promoted to sergeant.

Who Is the World’s First Therapy Dog?

Smoky, recognized as the littlest soldier, stood at a mere 0.58 ft or 7 inches and weighed only 1.81 kg or 4 pounds. Notably, she was the world’s first therapy dog, visiting injured soldiers in hospitals.

Who Was the First American Dog to Receive a British Military Honor?

Lucca, a German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois dog, received the highest honor in the British Military.

Despite losing her leg while serving in the war, she displayed exceptional courage and skill. The most remarkable feat attributed to her is detecting 400 bombs without any human fatalities occurring under her watch.

Conclusion

In summary, this article offers insights into what dogs does the military use examining each dog breed’s distinctive qualities and behaviors.

We investigated the leading military breeds, such as the Belgian Malinois and the Labrador Retriever.

Furthermore, we have explored diverse specializations and roles these dogs undertake, highlighting their significance with the soldiers and in military operations.

Along the way, we also discovered remarkable dogs who have received recognition for their invaluable service to the country.