Military Working Dogs: A Selective Research Guide: Military Resources

This field manual begins with a chapter on sled dogs. This chapter discusses: messenger and courier dogs, when dogs should be used, the types of dogs used, ages of dogs used (training beginning at 6-8 months, hard work beginning no earlier than 16 months, and service ending at about 9 years of age), and hitches. Other chapters include: “Equipment,” Kennel Management,” “Field Management,” “Physiology and Hygiene,” “Transportation of Dog Teams,” and “Loads and Loading.” Also included: tables, illustrations, and photographs.

This manual from the War Department charges the Quartermaster General with the responsibility for all aspects of war dogs and personnel involved with war dogs. It discusses the care of military dogs, basic training, specialized training, and also a brief history of the use of military dogs. Also included: a training plan and a bibliography.

This manual was designed to train handlers and supervisors in the use of sentry dogs. It includes sections on history, personnel, procurement and training of dogs, equipment, health and care of sentry dogs, and records maintenance. The manual contains photographs of techniques, training, and equipment. It also has drawings of the anatomy of dogs,an off limits sign, and the life cycles of hookworms, heart worms, and tapeworms. The manual also provides sample records.

This resource contains a foreword, introductory remarks and ten papers presented at a conference held in 1970. The foreword provides a number of interesting facts, including: German Shepards were considered the most suitable dogs for service, over 10,000 dogs were in service with the Department of Defense, with 2,000 being replaced each year, and the general public provided these dogs to the Air Force. The papers presented discuss various topics, such as: recruitment, training, and veterinary aspects. Also included: charts, photographs, some illustrations, and a list of attendees.

"This regulation gives the policies, procedures, and standards for setting up and maintaining the USAF MWD program." Quotation from title page. Although not visible in the copy reviewed, the table of contents indicates that additional materials are included in this regulations. These include an obedience course obstacles attachment and several figures, such as: sit position, fitting the muzzle, and dog returning to handler after search.

This manual discusses patrol dogs, sentry dogs, and narcotics detector dogs. It contains practical information on each type of working dog, including: how to use the dogs, characteristics of the dogs, and training considerations. It also contains a chapter on in-service evaluation procedures and a chapter on records and forms. Also included: instructions on how to complete DA Form 2807-R and DA Form 3992-R and photographs.

This is a CLIC paper (a publication sponsored by the Army-Air Force Center for Low Intensity Conflict). It provides a brief history of military working dogs and discusses their future potential in low intensity conflict.

"This FM addresses the current capabilities of the Military Police Working Dog Program as well as the potential for future applications." Quotation from preface. Also included: photographs, charts, and other figures.

"This regulation prescribes policies, responsibilities, and procedures for the provision of veterinary health services." Quotation from page 1. Also included: management control evaluation checklist, tables, and a glossary.

This report was prepared at the request of members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security. The Office of the Inspector General reviewed the procurement of untrained canines and made recommendations in this report. Also includes: the methodology used, management comments to the draft report and major contributors to the report.

"This handbook describes the types of MWDs that are currently available for tactical use; offers some tactics, techniques, and procedures for their use in common tactical missions; lays out many issues for the tactical commander to consider in the use of MWD teams; and suggests logistic support required for MWD use." Quotation from pages 1-2. Also included: photographs, charts, a checklist, and request forms.

This Inter-Service, Multi-Service Instruction establishes procedures governing the logistics aspects of the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Program. "It assigns responsibilities for budgeting, funding, accounting, procuring, distributing, redistributing and reporting of dogs and procedures to follow in submitting dog requirements and requisitions." Quotation from page 1. Also included: glossary, sample kennel master memorandum, military working dog adoption suitability checklist, protocol for bite muzzle testing, bite muzzle test assessment form, disposition checklist, covenants not to sue, and an adoption application.