“Gradually their use in the war extended to the fields of endeavor previously mentioned and training camps were established all over France. Dog training began in January, 1918, in the various training camps in the United States. The dogs were killed off so rapidly in France that the public pounds were put in charge of the military and all stray canine in the republic were, like all its sons, trained and sent to the front. In fact, one of the first appeals made by the French Minister of War to the United States after we entered the conflict was, “Send Us Dogs”. High bred dogs were for the most part undesirable. Some very good dogs were obtained, however. Airedales, terriers, shepherds; dogs of all sorts and conditions, provided they had ‘staying power’ and endurance, were sent over.”
