240 British War Dogs 



Messenger Dogs 



The dog, more rapid and a much lesser mark than a man, 

 can on many occasions replace the runner. 



There is no reason to fear that the messenger dog will 

 run to the enemy. As a matter of fact, animals very soon 

 acquire a sense of danger. Horses, donkeys, mules, which 

 become loose, hurry to the rear. The dog, owing to its 

 aversion of a human race with which it is not familiar, and 

 which it distinguishes by a totally different scent, does not 

 hesitate, if it does not succeed in finding its starting post, 

 but proceeds to the rest-kennel, far from the explosions and 

 noises of battle, rather than cross the dangerous zone of 

 the battlefield as a deserter. 



The Training of Messenger Dogs at the Army 



Kennel 



All the training of messenger dogs depends on the utiliza- 

 tion and development of the most important quality of this 

 animal — namely, its fidelity and its attachment to its 

 master. This highly-developed instinct, its strong sense 

 of scent, its sure sense of locality, its rapidity of move- 

 ment, render it possible for the dog to find him in very 

 difficult circumstances. 



The Employment of the Dog Corps 



The position for the services of the messenger dogs 

 cannot be decided too definitely. Certain units use them 

 regimentally, and at other times with the divisions. The 

 result of this experience enables a great economy of couriers 

 to take place." 



I here interrupt the report to comment on this subject 

 of fhe proper placing of the messenger dogs in the field. 



