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Only top dogs can make it in Navy canine unit
It's been said the bond between man and dog is among the strongest in the world. Certainly for working-class canines in the United States military, this proves to be the case - as their commitment to their human counterparts and dedication to their mission goes far beyond just maintaining a relationship with a member of another species.
For these special dogs, their responsibility is way more than just a job.
Petty Officer Mark Taylor's task is a challenging one: needing to coordinate activities between species. He works with some of the most dedicated sailors in the Navy, as well as the humans that work with them, too, in the Military Working Dog unit. "We're part of the security detachment here on Guam and basically what we do is train military working dogs here on base, locating items on the facilities that might be contraband," he explained.
Says Taylor, the MWD unit functions pretty much like the civilian police force you see out on Guam's streets. "My handlers basically do patrol duty, like you'll see a normal uniformed police officer out on the road each day, they go out and perform those duties. The MWD is a tool for them to help them - that's what the dogs are here for," he added.
Such an important role in the United States Navy can't be undertaken by just any dog - can it? Taylor says that the rigors of the mission usually call for specific traits inherent to certain breeds of dog. He told KUAM News, "We have German Shepherds, a Belgian Malinois, we have Labrador Retrievers, we have Jack Russell Terriers, and in the military, specifically the Navy, they have beagles, there are a variety of breeds throughout the Navy. Most of them deal with the herding breed of hunting breed type of dogs. They seem to be the best fit to do the job."
But beyond their instinctive abilities, each dog is unique. And aside from a heightened sense of smell, sound or bravery in the line of danger, canine candidates need to have one thing if they're going to make it in today's Navy: attitude. "The dog has to have an energetic ability to do things, doesn't have fear like some normal pets would have fear," he said. "They also have to love to work, so we want that dog to work constantly and we want them to have fun and play and enjoy it. They need to have that drive that happiness in meaning with the dogs."
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