Civilizations such as the Romans, Greeks, Persians and Egyptians used canines in various roles during armed conflict. Utilizing dogs for military purposes dates back to ancient times. When you combine those primal survival instincts with a dog’s loyalty and affability, it’s no shock that they make excellent partners in high-pressure situations, like combat and policing. And although our pups have domestic temperaments, we all know those wild instincts stir inside of them. From the first grey wolves that bonded with ancient hunters to the canines that defended our soldiers on the battlefields of WWII, dogs have been a constant and welcome aspect of the human experience.Īll modern dogs are part of a singular subspecies, which is directly linked to wolves, foxes and jackals. They’ve lived among us as companions for over 20,000 years. Fierce, loving, loyal and all-around awesome. (Photo courtesy: Coast Guard/Brandyn Hill)ĭogs are amazing animals. Ricky, a Belgian Malinois at Maritime Safety and Security Team San Francisco, is shown outfitted in his vertical delivery gear consisting of a hoisting vest, eye protection and hearing protection during training at Coast Guard Base Alameda, August 16, 2017.