Military Working Dogs have played a vital role in our Nation’s military history. They have battled alongside our brave two-footed soldiers in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and now the War in Iraq. These dogs have also served, and continue to serve, our peacekeeping missions around the globe.

In the Vietnam War alone, these four-footed soldiers are estimated to have prevented as many as 10,000 U.S. and allied forces casualties. These Dogs and their handlers completed 88,000 missions in Vietnam alone, and are directly responsible for 4,000 enemy kills and over 1,000 enemy captures. Also, they are credited with exposing at least 2,000 enemy tunnels and bunkers.

Along side with Houston Labrador Retriever Rescue, I am committed to honoring the memory of these brave Army, Air Force, Marine and Navy soldiers just as we have our fellow two-footed soldiers. -We Will Not Forget Their Sacrifice- We will be the voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves.

Approximately 4000 Military Working Dogs were in service during the Vietnam War. The vast number of War Dogs in Vietnam was German Shepherds. Labrador Retriever Trackers numbered less than 100 from 1967-1972. But that in no way diminishes the CTT contribution and that of our tracker Labs. These dogs were not pets, instead they were highly trained, four-footed soldiers with duties such as Sentry, Scout, Booby Trap, Tunnel, Mine, Water Patrol, Coast Guard, Search & Rescue and Explosives Detection. The Combat Tracker Teams were the only military specialty during Vietnam to exclusively utilize Labrador Retrievers. It was determined that the breed was most suited for human tracking, although many of the dogs also scouted and avoided booby traps while performing their primary mission. Although CTT was small in number it made a significant contribution.

Sadly, our government classified these brave souls as Expendable Equipment. At the end of the Vietnam War, roughly 200 Dogs were reassigned to other military installations, the several thousand remaining were given over to the South Vietnamese Army, Euthanized, or worse yet, let loose to fend for themselves in the jungle!

Today, America spends more money on its pet dogs than any society in the world. America also is the only major world power to refuse official acknowledgment to its dogs of war, either through a memorial in our nation's capitol, or through a special commemorative stamp. Even a request to plant a small tree on the grounds of Arlington Cemetery has been denied. There are no special honorary medals for war dogs (and their handlers) who serve with valor.

My Mission, along with Houston Labrador Retriever Rescues efforts in saving unwanted and abused Labradors, is to preserve the memory of past, present and future Military Working Dogs through public education and community relations. This will serve as an educational and inspirational tool to keep alive the legacy of these brave souls who are loved so dearly by their handlers.

For information, questions and upcoming events, 

please email Dave Beselt at: wardogs@houstonlabrescue.com