The Dogs of War go high tech

I can’t think of anything more low tech than the nose of a dog.

But because of their ability to sniff out bombs, mines, and chemicals used to make explosives, military dogs have become vital parts of today’s war effort.

Highly trained dogs have proved to be 98 percent accurate. Soldiers trust dogs more than metal detectors and mine sweepers.

Besides explosive detection, the dogs are also used for protecting military bases, tracking and crowd control. In their down time they like to play fetch, tug-of-war and entertain the troops just by being dogs.

One problem in working with dogs is that because of their superior speed, sometimes dog and handler can get separated.

Today some of the dogs are equipped with the K9 Storm Canine Armor, a bulletproof vest containing a wireless camera and speakers. This high tech equipment allows the handler to see what the dog sees and to give the appropriate commands. The entire system weighs only 7 ounces.

Like many military innovations the prototype is expensive, costing $20,000. However as more systems are manufactured, the cost will inevitably come down and  someday should be within the reach of local law enforcement. More on K9 Armor

Comments

[Lynne]

It's nice to see that dogs can be protected.

[cube]

Good dogs!

[gus, louie and callie]

We love it.. We are so glad that dogs are getting their just rewards..
Dad found a GPS system that allows you to download to your computer the exact route you dog took. Way to cool..

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

[rosemary]

Long story....several years ago on a trip to so Cal who should be staying at the same Hotel but a sheriff from a neighboring county. He was there with his German Shepherd from Germany to train with the dog in Riverside. We read about the dog the next month and while he didn't have special armor the sheriff car was specially outfitted in some way. This dog was going to be trained to sniff out meth labs....another type of bomb I guess. You have to believe that these dogs are amazing to do bomb sniffing.

[Becky]

I'm not surprised at what dogs can do; I am happy that equipment is coming up to speed to help them.

[Dog Clickers]

Isn't the "Dogs of War" a pink floyd song too! I love them sheps, so beautiful.

Cheers~

[Marion]

"Soldiers trust dogs more than metal detectors and mine sweepers."...that fact is amazing and wonderful. But somewhere inside, I so dislike the fact that these dogs go to war, being a peacenik myself. (Do words like peacenik still exist?)

It's so awesome what these dogs do, in war or otherwise!

[dog arthritis]

The best thing is that the dogs will get more help with the equipments.

[Dennis the Vizsla]

If I were them, I would trust the dogs more than that other high-tech stuff, too.