Posted on 10/10/2009 10:23:44 AM PDT by Chet 99
“US Marine War Dog Unit
World War II saw a new breed of Marine digging in on the front lines of the Pacific theater. They were the USMC War Dogs, and they were fitting companions for Marines who had already earned the nickname of “Devil Dogs.” The uncommon valor of these canine soldiers and their Marine Handlers saved countless American lives and made a major contribution to the struggle for victory.
Dogs have been widely used on the battlefield for years, even prior to World War II. However, the USMC War Dog program was the first to focus on the use of canines in combat situations. It was a gamble that paid off well. Shortly after 1942 when the program started, Handlers and their dogs found themselves in the midst of combat. They were so effective that by the end of the war, there were six platoons with over one thousand USMC War Dogs.
About seventy-five percent of the War Dogs were Doberman Pinschers. The Corps found the breed to have qualities that made exceptional fighters; they were loyal, intelligent, easily trained and their short hair helped them adapt to the hot, humid terrain of the Pacific theater. And like their human counterparts, the War Dogs underwent rigorous training to acclimate them to combat situations and to perform specific duties. As sniper hunters, their keen senses of smell and hearing allowed them to reveal the hidden assassins quickly and effectively. Up until then, sniper activity was a tremendous problem for the U.S. troops in the Pacific, especially within abandoned villages where snipers were easily concealed and extremely dangerous to find for humans, but easily sniffed out by the U.S. War Dogs. Perfect for detecting mines and booby traps, War Dogs could find mines that were buried six to eight feet deep. As messenger dogs, they were fitted with saddlebags, which carried maps, orders, ammo or medical supplies. As scouts, they took the “point” — their superior senses enabled them to detect enemy activity well ahead of their position, sometimes up to twenty or thiry minutes away.
The heart of their military effectiveness was the unique bond that War Dogs shared with their Handlers. Functioning like a single unit, War Dogs and the Handlers were together every hour of the day. They protected each other. Handlers carried rations for their four-legged friends and were trained in canine first aid. In addition to their combat duties, the dogs gave a snese of security to all the troops, who knew the dogs would alert them to hostile sounds and smells beyond their own perception. Today, a War Dog Memorial on Guam commemorates the tremendous contribution made by War Dogs in the Pacific. Fiercely loyal, highly intelligent, and utterly fearless — the USMC War Dogs were, in every sense, full-blooded Marines.”
http://dobermanheroes.blogspot.com/
“WAR DOGS WITH THE RAIDERS
(1-4 Chapt. 13 p187-199)
Dogs crossed the Alps with Hannibal, they marched with Ceasar’s Legions and even the Crusaders had their Mastiffs!
The first appearance of the Devil Dogs, as the Raiders were wont to call them, was during the Bougainville operation, 1 November 1943. Here the 1st Marine War Dog Platoon was attached to H & S Company, 2nd Marine Raider Regiment (provisional). This platoon was composed of 24 dogs (21 Doberman Pinschers, 1 Belgian and 2 German Shepherds).
The Platoon Commander Lt. Clyde A. Henderson stated: “To facilitate training and control in the field for every 5-6 dogs there was a Marine responsible for their well being.” When you view the fact that each dog had two handlers it is seen that the squad organization consisted of thirteen men-as were the
rifle squads at that time.
http://www.usmarineraiders.org/wardogs.htm
The main problem is many people have these dogs and are not capable of controlling them. I am in the process of purchasing a German Shepherd that will be trained for Shuzhund (if I spelled that correctly). These dogs are tough as nails but are totally under the control of the handler. They won’t make a move unless commanded to do so. There’s a big difference in these dogs if the owner doesn’t know how to handle them.
War Dog Memorial
A noble Doberman pinscher represents hundreds of heroic war dogs that served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Although most were Doberman pinschers, German shepherds, Labrador retrievers and occasionally, a collie served during the war as sentries, messengers, and scouts. But they also served other roles to the Marines who served with them...devoted friend, confidant, trusted companion.
http://www.vet.utk.edu/wardog/index.html
I have observed the effects of careful training and disciplining of German Shepherds by my daughter and her husband. You speak of dogs as tough as nails, totally under the control of their handlers. Too many times, however we’ve read of dogs that escaped from their fenced confines or were permitted carelessly to wander, obviously then not under control of anything other than their own animal impluses, with tragic consequences. Like it or not, if given a choice, I’d much rather ancounter a cocker spaniel, border collie, or one of a number of other breeds than a single pit bull, and two or more of them in company, which seems to engender an attack pack mentality, would give me great concern. For the most part, dogs seem to sense that I am a dog admirer, inclined to talk to them and pet them if given an opportunity. But I have little confidence that a pit bull would sense that attitude in me.
I notice that Chows are right at the
top of the list. Chows are NOT to be trusted.
You couldn’t give me one.
I’ve owned Shepards, Plotts,mixes of all kinds
but the smartest and most reliable was a
female Blue Heeler, incredibly intelligent.
I’m not familiar with Pitts at all. Never had anything to do with them. Years ago, I did raise German Shepherds and yes, they have the pack mentality, especially if attacking another animal. In general though, they are very safe to be around if trained and socialized correctly. Mostly, the problem with these dogs is the owner.
Good. Pit Bulls should be allowed to die out. They have ruined them. Rotties can be nasty. Not all, but they do have jaws to kill. A friend of mine had an elderly lady that walked her Yorkie around noon each day while she was at work. Some jerk didn’t close his gate tight, the Rot got out, knocked the lady down and killed the Yorkie in seconds.
Any dog that does that should be put down immediately. PERIOD!
The fight and aggression has pretty much been bred out of them
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I have to disagree with this. Dade County(Miami) won’t even allow them. They are unpredictable with jaws that kill and maim. There are plenty of other choices.
I love Doberman’s. We used to have a red female. Sweet dog. The kids were little then and she loved them.
Right. I don't think they allow them in nursing homes either.
An Akita will never be safe off leash. It can be ferocious with other animals. Before they were bred to fight, they were bred to hunt bears in the mountains of Japan. Two of them can take down a bear, working together. They are very difficult to call off, once they start an attack.
English Bulldogs? I can understand Pitbull’s, American Staffordshire and English Staffordshires but not English Bulldogs.
Didn’t the courts down there in March hold that the ban was not enforceable at least in part?
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