MOSCOW, October 1 (RIA Novosti) – Russian conscripts whose dogs are trained for certain activities are welcome to do their mandatory year of military service with their pets, a senior military official said ahead of the autumn draft, which began Tuesday.
“If a conscript and his dog have undergone special training courses and have acquired certain skills, then such specialists are in demand with the Russian armed forces. During our draft we pay attention to a conscript’s request to do the military service together with his pet,” said Yevgeny Burdinsky, deputy head of the General Staff's Chief Organization and Mobilization Directorate.
Contrary to popular belief, German shepherd dogs are not the only ones in demand, he said. “A spaniel, for example, is a hunting dog. It has search abilities and can locate drugs. Such dogs are sought after.”
He added, “The dog’s breed is not important, but its training is.”
