Photos show dependable sea dogs serving alongside US sailors in the Navy

Erin SnodgrassJan 15, 2024, 18:08 IST

Sailors sit with a dog and two goats on board a ship.Jim Heimann Collection via Getty Images

Dogs have been a staple on seafaring vessels for thousands of years.
The canine companions were first given official US Navy duties during World War II.

Man's best friend will follow him anywhere — even across the vast oceans.

Dogs had long been a staple on seafaring vessels even before the US Navy made them part of the official crew during World War II.

Decades later, many dogs continue to serve in military.

Scot Christenson, director of communications for the US Naval Institute and author of the new book "Dogs in the Navy," spoke to Business Insider about the longstanding canine tradition.

Sea dogs date back thousands of years

Blackout the dog wears a custom life jacket during World War II.U.S. Naval Institute

Some dogs were specifically bred to be helpful on the water

"Butch" O'Brien, mascot of the U.S.S. Bon Homme wears his life jacket during drill practice in the Sea of Japan in October 1952.Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Dogs have been part of the US Navy since its inception

Officers of the USS Orion pose with the ship's mascot in 1920.U.S. Naval Institute

But it wasn't until World War II that dogs became official Navy members

A member of the US Coast Guard holds onto a sentry dog.U.S. Naval Institute

The canines received payment for their hard work

A ship captain shakes hands (paws) with the boat's mascot in 1942.WATFORD/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images

But every once in a while, Navy dogs would get themselves into trouble

US sailors sit with a small dog.CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Captains had final say over how many dogs could be on board

Scrappy the dog, of the USS Yorktown, poses with a service member.National Archives

Dogs often served alongside cats on Navy ships

Hoy the dog, and Smokey the cat, pose for a photo with a Royal Navy minesweeper.A. R. Tanner/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Dogs were a friend to everyone on board

Sailor Edward Hutton of the US Navy holds his pet puppy 'Swabby', wearing a life preserver made by the crew, ahead of the D-Day invasion in 1944.Imperial War Museums via Getty Images

The fates of many World War II Navy dogs remain largely unknown

Sinbad, of the USCGC Campbell, poses for a wartime photo in 1944.U.S. Naval Institute

Many dogs still serve in the military today

Butch stands guard over an exhausted Marine on Iwo Jima.U.S. Naval Institute

Take a look at Poland's fast-expanding military that aims to become Europe's 'largest land force'

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