Dogs are believed to be the first domesticated species. This is mainly due to the mutually beneficial relationship between dogs and humans. Dogs played a vital role within human settlements by providing partnership during hunting, acting as early warning systems for protection, and offering companionship. As human societies evolved from the hunter-gatherer era, the role of dogs also evolved, focusing more on guardianship of livestock, pest control, and other tasks. However, their use in combat, police duties, search and rescue, and as service dogs also became prominent. How did this start, and how did it come to America to change the landscape of working dogs in the USA?
Today, dogs remain our closest companions and have evolved their societal roles.
In this blog, we will highlight some of the first working dogs and those that changed the trajectory of working K-9s by showcasing their invaluable skills worldwide and in the USA. Of course, we could highlight thousands of amazing stories about heroic dogs and many other fields of “work“ for dogs, but we are only highlighting a few here.
Military Working Dogs
The use of dogs in combat dates back to around 600 BC, during Biblical times. Dogs were used to break enemy formations. The Egyptians used dogs as messengers and guardians of encampments. Their use continued to grow through the Middle Ages. During WW1, Germany initiated their Military Working Dog program, training dogs to find wounded soldiers, carry supplies, and act as messengers. In the United States, dogs fought alongside soldiers during the Civil War, but the first K-9 Corps didn’t evolve until WW2 when dogs served in various roles that continue to this day.
Police K-9s
In the 1300s, the use of dogs for police-type services was first documented in France, where the dogs were used for guarding the docks and piers. The first real police K-9 training program was started in Ghent, Belgium, due to rising crime rates. Six-month-old Swiss-Belgium Sheepdog puppies were bought and trained with a specific handler for 3 months. After the training, the dogs and handlers went out on patrol into some of the most dangerous areas. The program was a success, leading to an expansion of the dogs’ use and breed specifics.
In the United States, the first police dogs were usually just homeless dogs that were taken in and cared for by the local police departments. The dogs often aided in capturing criminals or in public service (one dog, a Newfoundland, found an abandoned baby and brought it to the station). The first formal police K-9s in America were started in New York City with the NYPD who had recognized the success of the use of the Belgium Sheepdogs and training program in Ghent, Belgium. The success of the program lead to the more widespread use across America.
Search and Rescue
The first recorded use of dogs in search and rescue operations dates to World War II, when they were employed to locate people trapped under the rubble of bombed buildings. However, using dogs for rescue purposes has evolved significantly over time. By the 1950s, the training of search and rescue dogs became more structured, with voluntary teams having to pass exams with mountain rescue services. This period also saw the formation of search and rescue dog associations, which now play a crucial role in crisis response in many countries.
Service
The history of service dogs is as rich and diverse as the roles they play today. While the concept of service dogs has been around for centuries, the first formal training schools for service dogs were established in the early 20th century. In 1916, the world’s first guide dog training school was opened by Dr. Gerhard Stalling in Oldenburg, Germany. He trained dogs to assist World War I veterans who were blinded in combat. In 1929, the first American guide dog school, “The Seeing Eye,“ was founded by Dorothy Harrison Eustis and Morris Frank. This school played a pivotal role in popularizing “seeing eye dogs“ for guide dogs. In 1975, Canine Companions for Independence was founded to provide h for people with various highly trained service dogs for people with a variety of disabilities beyond blindness, expanding the scope of the types of work performed by service dogs.
At Old Guard Pet Company, we support all dogs by providing premium dog nutrition from those in our homes as companions and those who serve on the frontlines and help people in need. Undoubtedly, these dogs are critical to protecting our everyday freedoms, whether in service, giving someone peace and independence, or working alongside our heroic first responders.
Got a working dog? We suggest our Patriot Power Recipe!
If you want to learn more about some of the specific charities we support, please check out the two press releases below.
- Old Guard Pet Company Partners with the Gary Sinise Foundation
- Old Guard Pet Company Partners with Project K-9 Hero to Support Retired K-9 Heroes
