A German dog hospital (In German: "Hunde Lazarett"), treating wounded messenger dogs (Melde Hunde) coming from the front, ca. 1918.
Dogs had a vital part to play in World War One as the complexes of trenches spread throughout the Western Front. It is estimated that by 1918, Germany had employed 30,000 dogs, Britain, France and Belgian over 20,000 and Italy 3000.
The dogs were positioned in a variety of roles, depending on their size, intelligence and training. Generally, the roles fell into the category of sentry dogs, scout dogs, casualty dogs, explosive dogs, ratters and mascot dogs.
America, at first, did not use dogs except to utilise a few hundred from the Allies for specific missions.
Later, after a chance stowaway, the USA produced the most decorated and highly-ranked service dog in military history, Sergeant Stubby.
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National Archive / Official German Photograph of WWIBilderdienst Süddeutscher Verlag.