MHI FM 25-6 Copy 3 WAR DEPARTMENT BASIC FIELD MANUAL DOG TEAM TRANSPORTATION FM 25-6 BASIC FIELD MANUAL DOG TEAM TRANSPORTATION Prepared under direction of the Chief of Infantry UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1941 For ale by the Sperintendent of Document Washington. D. C. -Price 15 cens. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINaGON, January 4, 1941. FM 25-6, Basic Field Manual, Dog Team Transportation, is published for the information and guidance of all con- cerned. [A. G. 062.11 (12-27-39).] BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR: G. C. MARSHALL, Chief of Staff. OFFICIAL: E. S. ADAMS, Major General, The Adjutant General. TABLE OF CONTENTS Paragraphs Page CHAFTX3 1. SLrn DLoG __._._._.____._.__.------ 1-5 1 CHAPTER 2. EQUIPMENT. SectionI. Harness_- -. _--..--.. .. _._._ 6-13 6 II. Sleds ---------------------------- _ 14-18 15 CHAPTER3. KENNEL MANAGEMENT. SectionI. Personnel, administration, and facill- ties -_ __-_…_____-__-__……_._.._ -____ 19 24 22 II. Feeding and care .-.................. 25-29 26 III. Training -.- . _ 3O0 A4C0. -.----_2._9._.._ CHAFTar4. PDFLD MdANAGOMENT-r _---------_-------- 41 50 37 CHAPTER 5. PHYSIOLOGY AND HYGIENE. Sectionl. Anatomy, breeding, weaning, spaying, etc., and treatment -. ___-_--.--. __ 51-53 43 II. Prevention and first-aid treatment of disease and Injuries .-------------5-4---6 4 49 CHAPER 6. TRANSPORTATION OF DooG TEAMS -. . ..... 65-67 66 CHAPTER 7. LOADS AND LOADING. Section I. General -----..---------------- 68 70 68 II. Specific loads for a detachment of In- fantry -...... 71-74 ...7..0. Index -.-.----. _ --_-.._.._ ._-.__._... .. 75 HrT FM 25-6 BASIC FIELD MANUAL DOG TEAM TRANSPORTATION (This manual supersedes TR 1380-20, June 15, 1926) CHAPTER 1 SLED DOG 1. UsE or Doc TEAMS-Dog transportation is useful under conditions of snow and ice which preclude the use of horses, mules, or motorized transportation. Dogs can pull loads across country and along difficult trails where crusted or windswept snow is solid enough to support the sled on its runners. Dry snow and cold dry weather are most favor- able for dog transportation. When snow is soft, a trail must be broken for the dogs and sleds by marching men, prefer- ably wearing snowshoes. Wet snow, even if only a few inches deep, may prevent movement entirely by sticking to the snow- shoes of men breaking trail and by gathering in masses under the sled. Light, damp snow adds greatly to the difficulty of movement by clinging to the sled runners. A sled that has halted may adhere to damp snow so tightly that the efforts of several men are required to "break it out" before the dogs can resume the march. * 2. CLASSIFICATION.-In general, dog transportation is classi- fied into two groups according to speed: Messenger or courier teams which are composed of fast-running dogs and freight teams which are trained to slower gaits under heavier loads. Unlike the horse, the trained sled dog has only one gait which he endeavors to hold under all conditions. Difficult conditions of weather or steep grades necessitate frequent halts and reduce the average rate of march:; but unless the team is very tired, a brisk gait will be the rule. Accordingly, sled transportation will move by bounds in rear of marching troops and men cannot accompany a sled on foot for a greater distance than they can move at a run. 1 2-3 INFANTRY a. Messenger teams.-(l) Fast teams are used when speedy communication is necessary, and for emergencies such as relief expeditions and the rapid transportation of sick or medical supplies. Rescue parties for airplanes that have made forced landings in isolated places usually employ fast dog teams. The rate and length of marches vary greatly. When fresh, a team moving under good conditions will exceed a rate of 10 miles per hour and will average from 5 to 6 miles per hour for an 8-hour day. (2) Messenger teams should not be overloaded and forced to slower gaits. A slower gait soon becomes habitual with them and fast service cannot be resumed. Feed pans, dog chains, the driver's equipment, tools, and rations comprise a load which can seldom be reduced below 25 pounds per dog. The urgency of the mission and other conditions will necessitate certain loading which will in turn affect the length and rate of march. b. Freight teams.-Freight teams are used for transporta- tion of equipment and supplies. Personnel of equal weight may be substituted when desired. Under average conditions of trail and weather, teams will travel at a rate of 4 to 6 miles per hour, but for an 8-hour day frequent halts, which are necessary, reduce the average rate to about 3 miles per hour. Freight teams under average conditions of trail and weather can pull a useful load of 100 pounds for every dog in excess of three. The three dogs will provide for the sled, the driver. and his personal equipment, tools, chains, feed pans, and rations. It is difficult to establish a rule as con- ditions are subject to great variation. Loads twice as heavy as provided by the above formula are within the capabilities of dogs for short distances or on level trails. Steep hills and difficult places may be passed by unloading a part of the load and returning for it after transporting the first part over the hard stretch. E 3. TYPEs or Dos.-a. A medium-sized dog may be put to general utility. However, an alert, long-legged, rangy type is preferable for courier service. A dog of sturdy conformation, blocky, short-coupled, and stolid, however nimble, will not be able to keep up with fast dogs on long trips and should be 2 DOG TEAM TRANSPORTATION 3-5 employed for freighting with slower dogs. One dog of this type in a fast team will not only reduce the rate of travel but will annoy and disorganize the teamwork of the others. Very large, heavy, and slow-moving freight dogs are not well adapted to military use. b. An all-purpose sled dog, well adapted to military service, would fill the following description: Short-haired, weighing from 80 to 95 pounds, and of the following measurements: Height, shoulder to ground, 24 to 28 inches; chest to ground, 15to 19 inches; length, shoulder to root of tail, 24 to 30 inches. Large feet and sturdy, straight, hind legs as viewed from the rear are desirable. They should be alert, smart, and quick- moving, In general appearance they should have broad chest and shoulders, body slightly tapering to well-developed hind quarters, moderately heavy bones, and prick ears preferably to lop ears. Strength and length of leg are desirable for breaking trail. · 4. AGEs.-The average dog will remain useful until about 9 years of age. His training should begin at about 6 to 8 months, but he should not be put to hard work until he is at least 16 months old. His greatest usefulness will be in his fourth to sixth years. U 5. HITCHES.-a. General.--Teams may be hitched in tan- dem or in pairs. Mature dogs accustomed to working in har- ness may be hitched either in tandem or in pairs without expectation of difficulty. Each system has its advantages and both are used in Alaska and the Yukon Territory. b. Tandem hitches.-(1) Freighting with small teams by one handler over narrow, broken trails is commonly done with a tandem hitch. A trail broken by men marching single file on snowshoes is not quite wide enough for the standard 22-inch sled or for dogs hitched in pairs because both dogs and sleds drag against the sides of the trail and the snow falls down on the sled, increasing the weight. At curves or turns, the bow of the sled cuts into the snowbanks on the sides of the trail, which greatly increases the difficulties of travel. Also, sled runners of a loaded sled will slide off the hardened, trampled, part of a broken trail and cause 3 S INFANTRY the sled to turn over to the outside and into the bank instead of riding up on the edge of the higher snow. In such a situation a narrow sled about 16 inches in width may be pulled without difficulty either by hand or by a small team of dogs hitched in tandem. A combat sled loaded with light machine guns or trench mortars accompanying troops should be narrow and may conveniently be drawn by a team in tandem hitch. The dogs readily learn to follow a beaten trail walking behind a column on snowshoes. (2) For large teams, tandem hitching makes the team too long for efficient control. When going around curves, ten- sion in the towline tends to drag the wheel dogs and the sled off the trail. The dogs in rear not only have to keep their footing on the trail under this side strain, but are forced to pull the sled alone. Accordingly, it is difficult with a long team hitched in tandem to turn a corner. On a hairpin turn, crossing a bridge, the sled and rear dogs may be pulled off the road into the gulch. This situation also arises with a long team hitched in pairs. When pulling a heavy load dogs are hitched very close together in tandem harness. When traveling light or with empty sleds, the speed may be increased by hitching them farther apart. This is accom- plished by lengthening the traces. c. Pair hitches.-Hitching in pairs with a single dog lead- ing will ordinarily give best results. The pair hitch gives the dogs greater freedom of movement, the teams are shortened, and the difficulty of turning corners is reduced. Moreover, an accident to a single dog or harness does not disable the whole team as in tandem hitches where the traces are continuous from front to rear. 4 CHAPTER 2 EQUIPMENT Paragraphs SCTrzoNr 1. aa_r_n_e_-s.s.. _.....________________..._ 6-_13 I1S. leds _-__________--------------.------- 14-18 SECTION I HARNESS 6. GENERAL.--Dog harness is made of leather, webbing, can- vas, or native-tanned skins, and, with the exception of the collars, which are made over a steel or rattan ring, can readily be made by the kennel personnel. Collars should be purchased as they are available commercially. In Alaska, harness is sometimes made of skins tanned with the hair on so as to bring the fur side next to the dog, but these native-tanned skins are not available in quantity and therefore are not to be considered for military use. Harness made of webbing, or several thicknesses of canvas sewed together, is satisfactory and is preferred by many. It is not so easy to handle as leather and requires a machine capable of sewing heavy ma- terial, consequently repairs on the trail are difficult to make. Leather harness will stretch and freeze when wet and some dogs will chew it, but adjustments may be made to comipen- sate for stretching and dressings applied to keep the leather soft and to make it water-repellent. For general use the leather harness is superior to other kinds. * 7. CONSTRUCTIN..-- . Materials required--The following supplies are necessary for the manufacture and maintenance of harness: Collars, steel ring, sizes 5-, 6-, and 7-inch. Leather, heavy, black, whole sides. Thread, leather-stitching. Hardware, buckles, rings, D-rings, Conway loops, rivets and burrs, needles, roundhead screws, washers, swivel snaps 27s8866s°1- 2 5 7-8 INFANTRY (round eye), Hubbard loops, %-inch brass tubing, 3,,-inch steel rod. b. Tools.-Trimming knife, leather splitter, leather gage knife, harness punch, rivet set and header, hammer, cutting nippers, screw drivers, and pliers. A stitching horse is desir- able, but would be left behind with the leather splitter when going into the field. U 8. TypEs.-Three types of harness are illustrated: a. Type I (fig. 1).-This is used for racing and light, fast teaming, It is made of leather, the yoke is stuffed with rein- deer hair, and it is not adjustable. This type is also made of canvas stuffed with the same material: or of straps of several thicknesses of canvas, not stuffed. The simplicity of this harness recommends it, but it has the disadvantage that power is transmitted over the dog's back. b. Type 2 (fig. 2).-Tandem harness is suitable for use when tandem hitching is employed. Extra strong traces are needed on the harness of rear dogs, otherwise strong dogs pulling heavy loads will break the traces. In tandem hitch- ing, injury to one harness incapacitates the entire team. c. Type 3 (fig. 3) -This is an all-purpose harness of excel- lent design, suitable for teaming in pairs, which will be found superior for military service. (1) Dimensitms.-Heavy leather from the back of the hide is necessary for traces. Traces should be 1 /, inches in width but 1 inch will do for a light dog or when using unusually thick leather. Latigo leather is strong enough for back pads, cross straps, collar checks, and belly bands. Straps cut from the sides and belly of hides are suitable for making these pieces. Back pads should be made 1 Vto 2 inches wide, cross 2 straps 1 inch, belly bands and collar checks 3/% inch in width. (2) Adjustments.-The collar is perforated for the traces after it has been fitted to the dog. The trace strap is split near the end to pass through the collar and double back to a Conway loop fastening which permits adjustment. Loops on the back pad are large enough to permit plenty of vertical play in the traces. Traces are adjusted to bring the single- tree to within 2 or 3 inches of the rear of the dog, where it is supported by the cross straps. When the dog is in traction, 6