278 British War Dogs 



temptation, and to make a report on the matter to the 

 instructor. I found it convenient, also, to have a good, 

 trustworthy member of the training staff detailed to follow 

 the working of the dogs on a bicycle. On this he was able 

 to make a rapid survey of a large number of dogs, when 

 on their homeward journey, and also to notice if the men 

 themselves, who were sent to the school for training, and 

 whose duty it was to take the dogs outward, were reliable. 

 This man should be a non-commissioned officer, and should 

 be especially chosen, as one likely to do his duty in this 

 respect honourably, and fearlessly. It is for him to report 

 any irregularity whatever, as to the conduct of the men on 

 the road, either by dishonesty on their part in not going to 

 the outward posts as ordered, or loitering on the way, or 

 as to any rough treatment towards the dogs. It is advisable 

 also that one of the officers of the training establishment, 

 should also make unexpected rounds, either on a bicycle, 

 or in a motor, as it is only by ceaseless vigilance, that 

 a true estimate of the character of the men who are to 

 handle the dogs in the field, can be obtained, and I have 

 several times spoken of the extreme importance of allowing 

 none but the very best characters, to pass into the Mes- 

 senger Service. The natural tendency of the men to shield 

 each other, has always to be taken into account, but it 

 is fortunate that, in war-time especially, the sense of 

 obligation to King and country will, with an ordinary 

 upright soldier, override any personal temptation to screen 

 a dishonest keeper. 



There are some dogs which, while they are very plucky 

 in every other direction, have a strain of timidity in their 

 natures in relation to strange people, and these dogs often 

 avoid villages if they can, and put themselves to great 

 trouble to go round them instead. This disposition in the 



