for you reading pleasure http://www.isayeret.com/units/land/special/7142/article.htm

Good post, Interesting too, I like how it classified different dogs for their specialities.

I'm surprised they don't use labradors more often, I think they would specialize better then most breeds with scent detection. I'm sure though it varies, there's probably different breeds used at times in desperate situations.

Having spent most of my 23 year career in the Air Force in the Military Working Dog Program, I was fortunate to be able to work with many different countries canine units. Not only was it an incredible learning experience, but it gave me an everlasting appreciation of what dogs can do. Which, by the way, never cease to amaze me. The combat and combat related roles of trained dogs goes well beyond the active roles that most know about. For example: Trained track dogs were used in a program that developed techniques for downed pilots to escape and evade. As a trackdog handler, it was not fun to see the dog defeated, but the end results, in a large part attributable to a well trained dog, gave our downed pilots an opportunity to live. The contributions trained dogs make to our military and police units, are nothing short of remarkable.

David Frost

Just saw a documentry on cable about Isreali soliders on a mission to take out some Palistinian terrorists. They were using a Malinois with their team that they use to take out anyone fleeing. The dog almost gave them away by going into drive when they were getting into position <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

http://www.users.bigpond.com/kampk9/index.htm

In reading the articles on the site, I was a little uneasy with the notion of sending the dogs in as delivery systems for C4 explosive charges.. I sure hope that practice has been abandoned...

Dave McDonnell

This is the sort of soft headed american thinking that caused bin laden and his cronies to think they could attack the U.S. with impunity. The very wealth and power of your society has caused so many americans to live in some kind of dream land. Life isnt a disney movie pal, wake up and smell the coffee. Countries that feel they are fighting for their very existence dont baulk at killing dogs. If the US was invaded and in danger of going under yould be strapping explosives to Lassy and sending her out.

In a war people die, who gives a shit about sacrificing dogs to destroy the enemy. Israel is a small country and the loss of even one soldier is felt by the whole nation. In Jewish thought when a young person dies it is not only the indivdual who dies but also all those who might of descended from him who also 'die'. Ethically I dont see any problem with using dogs in this role. Its not like they are going to suffer at all when a load of explosives on their back goes off.

Tactically I dont how effective the 'kamikaze dogs' have been . I read they were used on a attack on a position in Lebanon in the early '80's. There was some foul up and the dogs were caught by the PLO troops and latter shot by them. The russians used explosive laden dogs to crawl under german tanks during WW2, once again I dont know how succesfull it was.

Brenden,

While I might have said it somewhat differently I totally agree with you. Having trained and used dogs in combat, many times the dog was sacrificed, that being sent out to do his job, knowing in all liklihood the dog would die, to save others. While we in the law enforcement business certainly grow attached to our dogs, we can't forget what they are trained to do.I've read posts where people thought it was horrible we'd send a dog into a building to do a search, knowing the person was armed. As much as people hate to admit, that is one of the things they are trained to do. During any war, there have been animals trained to do things that could well cost them thier lives. The short if it is, they were trained that way to save human life. Last I checked we are still on top of the food chain. I train dogs for a living, and have for the past 35 years. I would never mistreat or abuse an animal, but I expect the handler, and the dog, to do exactly as they are trained to do.

Just my thought

DFrost

This is the sort of soft headed american thinking Life isnt a disney movie pal, wake up and smell the coffee. Just curious, so where does the Diplomat in your name come from???LOL

As far as dogs dying in the line of duty...I have no problem with that. As far as C4 and sending them in...I do have a problem with that. There are tons of other ways to get the C4 in there(at least nowadays)

I am proud to say my father was a Scout Dog handler in Vietnam...I am also proud to say my father is still alive because of Royal. The dog had a duty. Tunnel dogs even had a duty...but it wasn't to be strapped with explosives.

You mention Israel is a small country...how about Palestine? If they are so hell bent on 'sacrificing' copy the Japanese, at least they had the 'honor','moxy','balls' whatever you want to call it to do it themselves.

Todd,To compare Palestinian suicide bombers with the use of Israeli dogs is totally stupid,the dogs were used in an attempt to remove terrorists from bunkers,not kill civilians out shopping.
I also have a moral issue with the use of dogs in this way but I was not in the line of fire and unless you are it is impossible to give a true judgement.
Any service dog is put in the line of fire to protect others but as a general rule to use them as bomb placement tools is in my opinion wrong.
Sorry Brendan but this is one issue on Israel we must disagree on,remember we are all Gods creatures.
Paul

Hey Paul...where did I EVER compare palastinian suicide bombers to Israeli dogs???? Why try reading it again.

I have an issue with putting explosives on dogs!!! No questions.

In case there is some confusion...If the Israeli's are trying to get the bomb into the palestinians at least have to guts to do it themselves like the Japanese did!!! Don't use the dogs for this. Yeah that sounds like killing civilians geesh. Read a little closer next time.