Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-30
THE DOGS OF WAR.
Some Real Uses They Are Made to Sud-
serve in Several Foreign Armies.

Though the report that the govern
ment had bought a number of st. Der
nard dogs to be trained at Sandy HOOK
as dogs of war has been found 10 pe
untrue. the rumor has given rise TO
considera bic discussion as to just wha'
use may be made of the animals III
warfare, says the New York Evening
Sun. While army men do not dispute
the fact that dogs are of great service
for military work, dogs of war nave ho'
yet been officially recognized in the
United States army. The armies VI
Germany, Austria, France, Russia ana
Italy, however have their dogs of war,
and have found them very serviceaDle
in many respects.
In Germany dogs are used to carry
dispatches from post to post, ana from
the Headquarters of the army comman'
der to the most distant and outlying
posts. For this purpose it has been
found that pointers are about the pest
breed of dog Scotch sheep dogs ana
short haired sporting dogs are also
used for this purpose. In some cases
the Pomcranian dogs are found to
answer all purposes. They are quick
intelligent. and learn their duties IN a
short time. The jaeger regiments take
charge of the dogs of war in the Ger
man army. and train them down very
| fine.
The dogs are taught not to do too
much barking. At the same time they
are trained to act as sentries and to
give warming by a low growl of the APP
1 ( st,,.lt
| time the dogs learn to distinguish the
uniform of friend from foe. and to
know their own colors. These animals
in the German army have been known
| to carry dispatches for miles. In the
/ Russian army ST. l'ernards. maStiilS,
wolf and sheep dogs work under the
! Red Cross
They know the first aid Ia the in
! iured by heart, and make first class
nurses in some respects. With medi
| cineS. brandy and water and bandaGeS
they sally out. and discover the wound
| ed in out of the way places. and attract
| the attention of the ambulance corps
| to the sufferers by barking. at the
| same time showing the wounded man
a way out of his troubles if he has
strength enough to avail himself of the
medicines and bandages about the ami
mails neck The French have used these
| dogs for this purpose in their wars in
| Tunis and Alsiers, and the Russians
used them in their last war with Tur-
| key.
| The Austrians have dogs Ia guard
them against ambuscades. The Dutch
in Acheen found dogs guarding milf
| tary Sentinels and also preventing tn.
sentries from attack by the stealthy
natives Germany has begun Ia teach
dogs how to attack bicycle corps. The
9arrisons in Berlin have been training
the dogs. Great Danes have been
| found to he of such service because Of
their strength and agility. The dogs
are taught to attack the Wheelman and
| drag him from his wheel.
| They are also taught to distinguish
between the uniforms of France and
| Russia and the uniforms OF the triple
alliance. Germany. Austria and Italy
! This is accomplished through cruelty
to the dogs. \ trainer dressed in the
uniform of a Frenchman or a Russian
beats the dogs regularly until the ami
mails get to hate the sight of his
| clothes. The clothes are Well padded
| so that the trainer may not be injured.
and whenever. the dog attacks his enc
! my he is rewarded.