The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-30
TRAINED DOGS OF WAR
Mans Faithful Companion IT'LL
lied for Military Purposes.
Germany, Russia, France, Austria, Italy
and Other Nations Have a Depart
ment for Educating the Breed.

In this city makes the following article from
the New York Herald on trained war dogs
particularly interesting at this time. The
narrative begins with the assertion that the
idea Of utilizing mans most faithful COM
panion, the dog, for military purposes is no
novelty. In the days of antiquity dogs
fought by their masters side, guarded the
camps, watched at the outposts and acted
as messengers. Even in the Middle Ages
the dog defended his master in the fight, al
though his chief duty was TO guard the
camp against surprise. When Henry VIII
declared war against Francis 1 of France,
he sent over 500 Scotch bloodhounds with the
English troops to help his ally, Emperor
Charles V.
The dogs belonging to the opposite armies
often fought against each other in battle
and at the siege of Valance Charles was
so delighted with the canine warriors that
he held them UP as models to his soldiers
In our own times the French were the
first to realize the military value of the dog
when fighting against the Kabyles in Tunis
and Algeria Next the Russians followed
suit in the last Eastern war, and then the
Austrians, who consider dogs as of the
greatest use in discovering an ambuscade.
The Dutch employ the animals for the
same purpose in Acheen, dog will give
immediate warning of any foe concealed
in the jungle. In Tonqun the French find
dogs invaluable 10 prevent a surprise from
the natives, for without such a warning
many military sentrieS and even small de-
tachments have fallen victims TO the hidden
foe. Even in Switzerland large dogs are
kept at Fort Fondo del Bosco, defending
the St Gothlrd Pass above Airolo, for the
purpose of accompanying sentrieS to outly-
ing posts. The dogs are especially useful for
communication in mountainous regions,
the Pyrenean smugglers have long since
found out.
For many years experiments have been
made frequently in various European coun-
tries 10 test tie tram nG " 81 - iut uIii =
ent services in the field-such as keeping
watch, giving warning of ambuscades car
rying messages and even conveying ammu-
milton. during a battle Germany. France.
the Herzegovina, are so well satisfied with
the result as 10 permanently adopt the use
ciaiiv the Scotch breed. and sboSf.beired
sporting dogs appear most suitable while
the French also use poodles and terriers.
The Germans like the gray Pomeranians,
which learn their work rapidly and are
enormously strong, while the Austrians
incline to the Scotch collie, where many of
the points required in a war dog are almost
hereditary. Altogether the animals are east
ly trained for their duties, owing to their
Intelligence, keen scent and remarkable ca
pacity for finding their way about, to say
nothing OF their perseverance, fidelity and
ter, but TO a whole regiment.
THE TRAINING.
The trainer teaches the dog to recognize
the uniform of all probable opponents and
to warn his master of an approaching dam
ger by pointing, never barking, except in
dire necessity This is one Of the most
important and difficult lessons. noisy
bark would alarm foe as well friend,
and it is no easy task to persuade spir-
tied animal to check the natural impulse
to bark and to give warning quietly in
stead: Eventually, however, the dos learns
to utter a peculiar low growl when he per-
ceives an enemy or hears any doubtful
noise No human ear is so keen to note
a sound as dog, which will recognize a
football when his master has not the slight
est idea of anyone being near. Two men
are especially successful in training dogs
Lieutenant Jupin in France, and the ami
NAL painter, Jean BungartZ in Austro-IIun-
gary, while in Germany the best trainers
are taken from the jaeger battaliOns and
In Italy from the Bersaglieri.
Dogs of a dark color are preferred, be-
cause they are less visible to the enemy.
The training is pursued on the general
principle that the dog would be treated
very cruelty by enemy, so that the
creature is taught to creep round the foe
unnoticed and to give distinct warning of
a hostile approach without bringing itself
into notice. For instance, in the German
training process some Of the soldiers put
on French and Russian uniforms to repre-
sent the enemy. This arrangement, by the
by, suggests the idea that the Germans
have quite made up their mind whom
they are going to fight when the great war
does come The pseudo French and Rus
sian then do all in their power to arouse
the dogs dislike by beating and ill-treating
the animals and shouting loudly at them
in the two hostile languages. When the
dogs temper is thoroughly excited against
their fictitious adVersarieS the German sol
diers come to the front To pet and caress
the angry animals and reward them with
meat or some other canine delicacy, a
sure road to their favor. Thus the dis
tinction is speedily learned.
In time of peace on the march the
dogs are simply kept coupled on the leash,
but when on defensive service in badly
protected district at isolated posts their
duties. are most important. Should any
suspicious individual approach the post the
dog at once warns the soldiers without
the enemy's knowledge, showing by it's
attitude or the tone of its growl whether
the danger is imminent no.
The dog is also taught TO carry written
messages between the outposts and the
camp 1t wears a light iron collar with
the number of it's regiment and a small
pouch attached to carry dispatches. Being
sent off with whispered word the dog
can steal along and summon relief TO the
front without the enemy perceiving any
notice has been taken OF their approach
The chief trouble in this branch or the
dogs duty is TO make him so straight
from point to point. The animal is nat
urally inclined to dawdle on the way, and
to be wied out OF the dlreGt Ioaa a. Dy naII-
Gus tempting distractions. For TINS reason
the dogs work best by night as letter car
riers especially as their peculiar equip
ment of collar and pouch makes them
rather conspicuous In daylight However
| their speed generally saves them from cap
fure besides some of the animals being so
large and fierce that anyone would think
| twice about stopping them with hostile
Intentions when there was no NJ. PaSteur
within reach as security for their bites.
In scouting operations special precautions
are needed with the dogs, as the nature OF
| the country makes their task more difficult.
At the word of command the dogs must
| rco,r the neichborhood and bring their pow
| ar of scent into requistion. Sporting dogs
| and kindred breeds are especially suited to
| This work but there is always the danger that
| rhoIr sDorting instincts may tempt them
a--ax from their military duties. Indeed,
when the animals are let loose in u thckly-
| woo.1ad country or a district full of game,
| The hest training fails TO keep "A dog from
Going hunting on his own account, and ut
| ferlv refusing TO obey orders. Again, the
dorS are most useful in keeping up COM
| rounfca ton between the Outposts and rhe
adv-ance1 sentinels as they nave the advan-
| tare over the orderlies in being less affected
by the condition of the country ana being
able 10 travel quicker at night
ONCE WOUNDED USELESS.
During the French military operations at
| Tours in 1890, competitions were instituted
between racing dogs. carrier pigeons, horse
men. bicyciists and tricyclists The pigeons
! completed q given distance in the shortest
| time-five minutes fifty seconds. the riders
seven minutes fifty-seven seconds, the dogs
eight minutes eight seconds. the bicyclists