| History Continued |
| In 1946, the method of obtaining dogs for training was changed from accepting dogs on a loan-type basis from citizens to the purchasing of dogs. Once this procedure was in effect, the dogs became sole property of the United States Government who then could do with the dogs as they saw fit. In 1948, the Quartermaster Remount Depot System was discontinued and the training responsibilities was transferred to the Army Field Forces. After World War II, it was decided to select one breed that would be standard for training for military use. The requirements set forth were: (1) have the ability to perform all types of service demanded by the armed forces; (2) be suitable for duty in all climates; (3) be bred extensively enough to meet all possible demands placed on them. After much consideration, the German Shepherd was selected. The German Shepherd is physically adaptable to all climates, is of adequate size to work well under various conditions, and exhibits suitable temperament for operating in many war scenarios. Dogs have been used since WWI in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and during the Persian Gulf War. When the Korean War began, the Army issued orders for the 26th IPSD to deploy to the combat zone. The troops arrived one year after the War had begun. The scout dogs and their handlers conducted more than 1,000 patrols with infantry unite and are credited with reducing US casualties by at least 65 percent. During the Persian Gulf War, about 125 dogs participated in sentry patrols and explosives detection. One dog located 160 munition caches in 60 days. The oldest War Dog memorial in the United States is at the Hartsdale Pet Cemetary in New York. The memorial was established in 1922. In 1994 a War Dog memorial was dedicated at the US Marine Corps War Dog Cemetary on Guam to honor the dogs that served in the Pacific. |