UK Military Seeks Canine Recruits

Short on canine recruits, Britain’s military has launched an effort to recharge the ranks, the Guardian reports. “Your country needs your dog,” the Ministry of Defence campaign proclaims, seeking German or Belgian shepherds, English springers, and Labradors in particular. The military typically gets dogs from shelters and private homes, but has found those means insufficient in recent years.

The dogs “will find themselves fulfilling a vital role within the MoD and some will undoubtedly save human lives,” an officer wrote in a veterinary magazine, encouraging animal doctors to consider military service for pets “that do not conform to or enjoy a typical family life environment.” (More dog stories.)