DOCS IN WARFARE.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13744, 6 April 1915, Page 2

DOCS IN WARFARE.

Of recent years most of the military powers have put tho dog to practical i use in the field,, remarks a writer in the Windsor Magazine. It is said that the Germans employ 6000 dogs—collies, pointers, .and Airedales. Russia favours the Caucasian breed, while Aus-, tria believes that the Dalmatians are the most suitable. France uses tho same type as the Belgians; the Turks' choice has fallen upon • Asiatic sheepdogs. We hear also of the employment of the- German boarhound and the Russian borzois for the Transport of ammunition and lighter stores. The Austrians believe in the dog as a .pathfinder in mountain warfare. The French in Algeria have long used him, and one canine hero was promoted first corporal and then sergeant, of which ranks he proudly wore the stripes, It was m great measure owing to the vigilance of dVs: sentries that the Trans-Siberian and Manchurian railways were kept safe'from Japanese raids. In the Abor expedition the dog won for himself the highest commendation. He was represented there by two Airedales trained by Major Richardson, the pioneer of this enterprise in England. The dogs were presented to the Bth Gurkhas by Mrs Alban Wilson, wife of Major Alb an Wilson of that regiment. Keeneyed as the little Gurkhas are, and keen of hearing, they were outdone by the Airedales. Their success was complete. Here : s Major Wilson's testi-l mony:- "Never r>nce did the dogs fail 'to gixv notice of an enemy on the path, with the result that neither the advance guard nor the main was ever ambus-cated." During the recent; siege of Adrianople some of Major Richmdson's dogs were in the service of the Bulgarians, who found them invaluaUe in giving warning of impending Turkish sorties.