252 British War Dogs 



When war broke out, those dogs which were already with 

 the army, went with their regiments straight to the front, 

 while the owners of those dogs which had received approval 

 at the exhibitions of training skill, and whose names appeared 

 in the association lists, were ordered to mobilize imme- 

 diately. This represented the reserve army of dogs. In 

 the meantime, vigorous recruiting work for dogs went on 

 all over Germany and Austria, and as these were collected, 

 they were sent to training establishments, which were 

 opened at various principal towns in Germany. Here they 

 were trained by especially qualified men, under expert 

 military officers. When trained, the dogs were draited to 

 the Army kennels. Each army had its kennel, and from 

 these centres, the dogs were issued to the troops in the 

 line. In the first advance into Belgium, and France, the 

 enemy lost no opportunity of seizing all suitable dogs, 

 and sending them into Germany to be trained. Not only 

 this, but they even offered to purchase dogs for the work 

 from owners in Germany, and gave up to fifty marks per 

 dog. Also, in Germany, as in France, the greatest pub- 

 licity was given to the subject of the war dogs, and both 

 by illustration and account of the exploits performed by 

 the dogs in the field, the public were encouraged to interest 

 themselves in the matter, and to help on the work, much 

 in the same way that the propaganda in aid of the Red Cross 

 in this country was carried on. This publicity given to the 

 subject must have made the work of the dogs in the field 

 much easier, both for the dogs themselves, and for those 

 who were training and handling them, as the full object 

 of their utilization would be understood by all ranks, and 

 all would unite together to assist the good work. There is 

 no doubt that the work in the British Army was con- 

 siderably hampered for some time by the policy of secrecy 



