The UK’s military dogs will receive a whole range of new safety equipment, including goggles, boots and cool vests, as part of a multimillion-pound contract.
Pictures show dogs Una, Meg, Bonnie and Grainger testing safety goggles, ear defenders, vests and protective boots during continuation training at St George’s Barracks, Rutland.
The training included routine walking, settling, rewarding and squad activities.
It comes as part of a five-year contract awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to a British company.
The contract has an estimated value of £3.1m and aims to help deliver enhanced training for the UK military’s pack of more than 500 working dogs.
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Una at St George’s Barracks, Rutland. Pic: PA
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Defence, Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the MoD, has awarded the Surrey-based Von Wolf K9 Sport & Service Dog Equipment Limited the contract, with the option to extend it by two more years.
The funding will see the development of a “canine catalogue” that will provide essential training and welfare items, including protective equipment for the dogs such as eye goggles, hearing protection, safety boots for their paws, and cool vests and flotation devices.
Private Dean with Una. Pic: Joe Giddens/ PA
Hundreds of dogs are currently serving at home and overseas, working across the Army, RAF, Ministry of Defence Police, Germany Guard Service, MoD Guard Service and Regimental Mascots.
They range from German shepherds, Belgian shepherds and Dutch shepherds to springer spaniels, labradors and other carefully selected breeds.