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Dogs can be much more than just good petsBy TSgt. Lewis L. Burks Crime Prevention NCO 3750th Security Police SquadronThe ability of dogs to hear and smell is much greater than that of humans. Their ability to smell odors may be more than 100 times greater and it is well known that their ability to hear, in both range and pitch, is also much greater.Because of these abilities, and his loyalty and speed, the dog has been used to protect people and property.During World War II, the U.S. Army started the K-9 Corps and trained about 20,000 dogs. These dogs performed security duties and were very vicious.In 1968, the Air Force begain training dogs to work like the dogs in civilian police departments. This training continued and all sentry type dogs were finally replaced with these new patrol dogs.These dogs are trained to work around people and are more easily controlled than their sentry predecessor. They are not vicious and will attack only at the command of their handler or when the dog feels himself or his handler are threatened.The Air Force chose the German Shepherd over all the other species of dogs in the world because of alertness, speed and ability to quickly adapt to different climates.In the mid 1970s, the Air Force experimented using smaller breeds of dogs for detection, but these are now being phased out of the system.The Air Force will pay up to $400 for a German Shepherd between one and four years of age, with a minimum weight of 55 pounds and minimum height of 22 inches. These dogs do not have to be pure bred German Shepherds. If accepted, the dog will begin extensive training at the Department of Defense Dog Center, Lackland AFB, Texas.All the Military Working Dogs seen on Sheppard perform basic law enforcement duties, i.e., vehicle and foot patrols, protection of the base perimeter, aircraft security, and general police functions. Some of these dogs have gone through special schools at the DOD Dog Center and are able to detect drugs or explosivesFor further information concerning the Military Working Dog Program, call TSgt Steven B Mayfield, kennel master, security police K-9 Section, at Ext. 4428
Newspaper Details
Wichita Falls Sheppard Senator
Wichita Falls, Texas, US
Thu, May 29, 1986
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Camille C.
USA 09 Jun 2025
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