Aussie Tracker Dogs

Vietnam War. Phuoc Tuy Province. c 1967 - 1968. Australian soldiers attached to the tracking team, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR), with their black Labrador tracking dogs. Identified left to right: Private Denis Ferguson with Marcus and Private Peter Haran with Caesar. [AWM P05190.001]

For info:

1) All the tracker dogs came from Australia but because Australia does not have rabies they could never return to Australia after their service was complete.  Most ended up mascots at Embassies through out SE Asia.  Some returned to Vietnam for multiple tours.

2) Dog teams varied a bit depending on the situation. Usually small section size comprising dog & handler, visual tracker/scout, sect cmdr, M60 +1, maybe 1 more. Mostly M16s, plus M72 (LAW), M79 ((never used as individual weapon i.e. grenadier also had SLR or M16. Visual Tracker usually determined path/direction until dog started tracking.

3) The dogs saved lives more than once, prevented enemy ambush on 1 occasion.

Nice dogs

cool ken didnt know they used them ..