Since the beginning of time, Army Dogs have been an essential component of the Armed Forces, yet their unseen contributions to the country have persisted. Military dogs are used for more than just bomb detection and enemy insurgent alerts.
As old as the battlefield itself is the bond between a soldier and a dog. Romans were the first to utilise trained dogs in close combat, and teaching an animal is made simpler by the dog’s innate desire to please its master.
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Currently, there are over 1200 trained canines in the Indian army. The Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) primarily trains foreign canine breeds including German Shepherds, Labradors, Belgian Shepherds, and Great Swiss Mountain dogs, however the army is currently enlisting an indigenous dog breed known as the Mudhol Hound. The Mudhol Hound is a lean dog with long legs that is a member of the sighthound family, which means that it uses its excellent sense of sight to hunt and pursue prey. This hound can sprint quickly and sniff out dubious objects; combined with its size and speed, it makes a terrific security dog.
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Local and stray dogs, in addition to these well-known breeds with reputable pedigrees, are equally important to the Indian army. The army unit stationed there has adopted these neighbourhood dogs and is feeding and caring for them. Such dogs have proven to be adept in spotting infiltrators’ movements and issuing warnings in advance. Additionally, their presence mitigated and lessened the impact of isolation on the soldiers stationed at forwarding posts.
The K9 Squad of the Indian Army Dogs
The gallant warriors who persistently guard us at the frontiers are the reason we live in safety, security, and peace within the nation. No matter what we say or how much gratitude we may muster, their valour and bravery will always be unmatched. To protect the country and its citizens, the courageous soldiers stand tall at the borders. Not only that, but they are also the ones who step up to protect the country’s integrity amid conflicts and other catastrophes.
The K9 Army provides these brave warriors with the utmost support, as the canine partners develop into an excellent support network evaluating the current situation.
Even after they turn 8 or 9 years old, the military canines still serve the country. But after their military years, things appear a little less assured for them. Euthanasia or the practise of mercy killing was very common in the past. However, Maneka Gandhi’s intervention in 2016 reversed this trend, and the Indian Army then saw the need to set up a rehabilitation programme for their canine companions.It is essential to delve deeply into details in order to comprehend the function played by Indian Army dogs. The Indian Army officials take a number of variables into account when selecting canine partners for their team. Here is a short and concise list:
The species
The Indian K9 Army has a very strict recruitment process. Here, you will find dogs of various breeds. The Great Swiss Mountain, German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador breeds make up the majority of the canine population. However, the most recent addition of the indigenous Indian breed has generated a lot of discussion. The job of training Mudhol Hounds, an indigenous breed, has been taken on by the Remount and Veterinary Corps centre in Meerut.
Employment Eligibility
Grooming these canine pals includes rigorous dog training. Private businesses don’t, however, have the appropriate level of control over this specific procedure. They are unable to train and groom dogs for the K9 Army; the necessary work must be done by a government agency.
The top organisations renowned for providing these canines with focused training include RVC and NTDC (National Training Center for Dogs). These institutions offer extensive assistance to our canine friends, from breeding and training to rearing and rehabilitation. The dogs trained at these facilities have consistently shown excellent results at the workplace.
The training’s goals are:
Every registered organisation that provides targeted training to Army dogs adheres to a particular module. The main goal is to train the canine companions so that they become the best helpers for the soldiers. Here are some of the objectives and targets that businesses like NTDC have set:
• Providing instruction in dog care and kennel management; educating CPO and BSF personnel in dog handling; rearing and breeding pedigreed pumps; and developing the most up-to-date methods for intense dog training
Things About Indian Army Dogs You May Not Know
Here are a few lesser-known details concerning Indian military dogs:
1. They go through rigorous training on par with what soldiers go through, and only a select few pass while others are rejected.
2. Because of their heroic history, army dogs are not your typical pets. Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) has been honoured with a Shaurya Chakra and nearly 150 commendation cards, which is sufficient evidence of their value.
3. The Army has a little over 1,200 trained dogs on staff. RVC has been tasked with maintaining the strength.
4. The army dogs play a crucial role in search and rescue missions, helping to recover explosives. The search operations would come to a complete halt without them.
5. They are trained by their handlers to follow verbal and hand signals that are unique to the military.
6. During their extensive military training, the dogs are taught commands that call for them to hold their barks in combat situations so as not to give the enemy away where they are.
7. In 2016, an army dog squad took part in the Republic Day parade for the first time in 26 years. The group had been meticulously trained for the march past by the RVC Centre and College in Meerut Cantt.
8. Due to their inherent capacity to accommodate any training schedule, German Shepherds and Labradors are the most popular breeds for use in the armed forces. They have the exceptional ability to carry out the activities required by the army and are simple to teach.
9. They provide service for 8 to 10 years.
10. They are put to death the moment they leave the military. The cost of maintaining the army’s post-military care is high. Additionally, there is a chance that opponents would learn about their knowledge of secret sites.
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