The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-28
CANINE WARRIORS.
Ambulance Work for Dogs in the
Russian jaeger Regiment.
From Frank Leslle's Monthly.

From Frank Leslie's Monthly.
During the French military operations
at Tours in 1890, competitions were insti-
tuted between racing dogs, carrier pig
cons, horsemen, bicycllsts and tricyclists.
The pigeons completed a given distance
in the shortest times minutes 80 sec
onds; the riders took minutes 81 sec
onds; the dogs, minutes seconds; the
bicyclists, minutes Is seconds; and the
tricyclists, 10 minutes 40 seconds. On the
same occasion experiments were made
with dogs carrying ammunition. 1t was
found that large mountain or sheep dog
would carry 500 charges with the Lebel
rifle to the front with the greatest ease
and rapidity. Against this advantage
must be set the fact that dogs, as well as
men, are likely to hit In the line of fire,
and that dog that has once been wound
ed can never be broken of it's dread of
returning under fire. In the first ms tance
it is difficult enough to accustom the ami
mails TO the sound of firearms and cannon.
At the beginning of their training the
fiercest dogs will either bolt altogether or
crouch in abject terror at the slightest
discharge, unable to attend to any or
ders. sun, even here, use and kindly per-
suasion will eventually make the dogs in
different to the ioudest firing. Once the
fear is overcome the dog will stick to his
post more firmly and unconcernedly than
service.
Another duty has been suggested for
the dog in war time-a share in the am
bulance service. During and after the
battle the dog might scour the field look
ing for the wounded and summonng help
quickly. 1t would carry round its neck a
flask containing a refreshing drink, and
soon as it found a wounded man the an
imal would stand by him and bark until
some of the ambulance corps came to the
rescue. After all, this is only a different
version of what the famous st. Bernard
dogs have been doing from time imme-
mortal when succoring WORKOUT travellers
on the pass.
So that the ambulance work is, perhaps.
the easiest lesson the dog learns and it
has been brought to a very perfect condi-
ton by the Russian JAEGER regiments
Wolf hounds and sheep dogs are best for
this service, being especially valuable in
rocky and wooded districts. where
wounded man, lying amongst underwood
or stones, is not easily seen by the mem
bers Of the ambulance corps. To teach
the dogs their duty difficult piece of
ground IS chosen and number Of men,
representing the wounded, dispense them
selves about the most out-of- the-way
spots, lying face downward on the earth
The dogs are then sent in search. When an
animal finds a wounded man he is taught
to put his forefoot on the body and stand
there, barking loudly. An ambulance-cart
is stationed at some distance, and directly
a dog gives tongue of relief party start in
the direction o. the SOuuus the QOS Delng
trained to continue barking until the bear
ers reach the spot. If the wounded man is
only slightly hurt he finds ample material
in the dogs ambulance pouch for a tenn
porary dressing of wounds whilst wait
ing for the ambulance bearers or a doctor
and can further gather strength from the
soup or brandy in the fash round his ca
nine deliverer's neck. AS soon as the am
bulance bearers have carried away the
wounded, the dog starts off anew to seek
another subject of relief. If necessary he
is harnessed into a little handcart to draw
the wounded to the field hospital or to car
~ stretchers and provisions about the
battlefield.