Celebrating the dogs of war: The noble lives of combat canines

National Geographic via MNN ^ | Jun 03, 2014 | Catie Leary

[Slings and Arrows]

Marine Cpl. John Dolezal poses with Cchaz, a Belgian Malinois, at Twentynine Palms in California. (Wondering about that spelling? Dogs bred at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, the military’s primary canine facility, are given names that begin with a double letter.)

 

This photo and the ones below it are part of photographer Adam Ferguson's touching series about military working dogs to be published in the June issue of National Geographic magazine.

 

The scouting, tracking and sentry skills of dogs have been used on the front lines of some of the most dangerous battlefields in history. Working dogs of today still hold an important place in military operations, not to mention the hearts of their handlers.

 

In the video below, we learn about one particular dog, Layka, and her handler, Staff Sgt. Julian McDonald. Layka lost a leg after being shot four times at point-blank range during a firefight in Afghanistan.

[Slings and Arrows]

Many pix, one video at source.

[Slings and Arrows]

Heroic doggie ping!

[rktman]

My sister picked this edition up for me because of the pups. I wouldn’t by a natgeo myself.

[Bon of Babble]

There is a reason for the old expression "a dog is a man's best friend." My city has been taken over by illegals so these days I rarely travel anywhere without my two large dogs, a large, flat-coat retriever and an angry pitbull/police dog mix. Both are rescues, racist to the core and I know they'd protect me, my kids and my home with their lives.

[Holdem Or Foldem]

good doggy, nice doggy, just keep your paw off the trigger. With a dog like this you have a friend in need!

[Texas resident]

Right with you.
We have a 10 year old mutt. She will take on a german shepherd with no fear. One day a Mexican showed up at our door. My young daughter started to open the door when our pup went nuts on the Mexican. He ran off. Can’t put a value on a good dog. Good thing it wasn’t a cop though.
The night would have ended differently.

[Joe 6-pack]

WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

[Salamander]

Don’t forget who started it all.

https://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Pages/Frequently_Requested/War-Dogs.aspx

http://moyerdobermans.weebly.com/the-doberman-—a-military-hero.html

http://www.pet360.com/dog/breeds/dobermans-drafted-by-us-marines/KDyePlkuCEOdSbRq7aerTw

The DPCA donated hundreds of Dobes to the cause.

And the definitive site

http://www.uswardogs.org/index.html

/Devil Dog devotee

[Slings and Arrows]

Definitely lots of Dober-Devildogs, you betcha. But on the Army side , don't forget Sergeant Stubby.

[KneelBeforeZod]

GSDs and Mals are smart, and have the size to take care of people. But they seem to wear out quickly and aren’t as nimble as some other medium (60lbs or so) dogs.

Just anecdotally from what I’ve seen in person

[KneelBeforeZod]

Sallie

http://www.nycivilwar.us/sallie.html

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