Body Armor Goes to the Dogs, Literally!

Body Armor Goes to the Dogs, Literally!

By Colin Clark Thursday, January 15th, 2009 5:38 pm
Posted in Land

We’ve all heard people grumble that the country is going to the dogs. Well, here’s a new tack on that, courtesy of my colleague Christian Lowe at DefenseTech. What defense contractor or hunter could resist body armor for the dog? Think of all the urban applications! Or just the thing to protect your bird dog from your own bad aim! OK, I’ll cut to the chase since this one is pretty much just for fun. Here’s Christian’s story:

Just when you thought “tactical” had infiltrated every aspect of your life, something new comes along to tip it over into the semi-ridiculous.

Tactical combat vests for dogs? Huh?…


That’s what I thought, until I talked to the folks at Combat K-9 about their really cool Animal Pack Adaptable Carrier, or APAC.

This is essentially a MOLLE webbing rigged carrier that straps fully around the military working dog, allowing operators to use the animal as a demi-pack dog (carrying extra mags and other gear), harness him in enough to repel with the dog down a cliff and even insert Kevlar panels to protect the pooch against shrapnel and other flying debris.

As a dog lover, I was instantly hooked.

The company also offers a high-tech cooling pack that inserts into the APAC, with some high-speed cooling chemicals that can get down to near freezing after being soaked in 50-degree water, says Combat K-9 salesman Jim McGovern.

The company also has an impressive lineup of quick release collars and leashes that allow the handler to keep his attention on a threat, without having to fumble for a buckle.

Anyone who’s been in Iraq or Afghanistan knows how important military working dogs are. With the hundreds of companies and booths here at SHOT Show displaying every conceivable variation of tactical gear for humans, it’s nice to see at least one company paying attention to the needs of man’s best friend.

Join the Conversation

Mike Warner January 16th, 2009 at 10:44 am

I was a dog handler in Vietnam. I know what its like to lose a dog to explosives. I my self wore a flak jacket all the time. Heat was a problem but I learned to deal with it. Even back then, I was trying to figure out some way of developing some type of protection utilizing an old flack jacket.

Max Anderson January 16th, 2009 at 11:25 am

Hello Mike Warner,

This looks acceptible. I like this concept. It gives the dog the capacity to carry a light bomb kit, water, medkit, and possibly extra clips for the user. As long as the jacket does not over fatigue the dog user. I say at training in Tx is where the dog should be famiiarized with this jacket. It is costly to train a dog and it takes several years to gain trust and instruction before the dogs are ready, so yes, it is a good idea to preserve their lives as well. I am surprised no one has mentioned it before. I work with Chris Taggart a body armor designer and a contact at the bomb bots and Darpa funded drones project and I am sure we all would like to see this implemented in in the dog handler division. If you wish I can pass it on to my liasons and see if we can ratify a 2009 budget to keep our war dogs safe!
Best,
Max Anderson
max1mos111@yahoo.com

Jo Rechaglia January 16th, 2009 at 11:29 am

Dogs are equiptment. This should only be employed if the benefits out weigh the costs. Looking at the rig…I’m not sure how that is going to keep a dog in service if he’s hit by shrapnel. However, if the saving of dogs lives improves the performance and moral of the handler I’m for it!

Mike Warner January 16th, 2009 at 12:34 pm

Max,
I agree with you but lets not try to reinvent the wheel. From what I’ve seen in the picture, who ever designed that concept has the dog safty in mind. I’m not so sure about having the dog used as a “pack mule” though. I personally have a problem with putting any type of explosive on the dog but thats just a personal thing. As any dog handler can can tell you, when a dog is assigned to you, its almost the same as a marraige. Your a team that will endure the good and the bad. That may sound crazy to some that has never handled a dog in service but another dog handler will know what I talking about. They are NOT just military equipment.

Daniel S January 16th, 2009 at 2:59 pm

MWD’s aren’t just dogs or military equipment, they’re really hairy people that talk funny. I’m glad to see that a company has finally come up with a way to better protect man’s best friend.

Kirk January 16th, 2009 at 4:20 pm

“Dogs are equipment.” Jo Rechaglia—-

You have got to be kidding! What an asinine statement.

Michael January 16th, 2009 at 4:20 pm

As a backpacker I have seen German shepherds with hikers in some parts of the Eastern Sierra in Calif carrying gear in packs but I never thought of war dogs being outfitted…I can just see Triumph the Comic Insult dog outfitted with gear..I thought he was a Rottweiler but the puppeteer claims he is a “Serbian Mountain Hound…” who likes to smoke cigars with it falling out of his jaws when he counts the number of days until Bush leaves office.…

DensityDuck January 19th, 2009 at 6:16 pm

Of course, the problem with using dogs is that they suicide at their first contact with the Bugs.

DensityDuck January 19th, 2009 at 6:17 pm

Also, people are missing Jo’s point. Jo is saying that the cost to keep the equipment operational is extremely high–so we should find some other, more cost-effective means of doing the job.

wtpworrier January 22nd, 2009 at 3:20 pm

If that is suppose to protect the dog from explosives, think again, his under belly is exposed. Animal weaknesses are the same as humans, the head, chest and mid section. From the looks of this thing the only it protect’s is the dog’s back.

Shovelkicker January 22nd, 2009 at 3:38 pm

Jo is correct to a point. Working dogs are a type of equipment. Equipment that takes a lot of time, effort and money to get to a deployable stage. Not to mention the emotional attachment between dog and handler. Add the fact that the dogs can carry equipment to free up the handlers.. Great idea!

JCitizen January 22nd, 2009 at 4:12 pm

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From what I learned in police K-9 training, it is the suspect(i.e. enemy) that tries to target the dog. The fact that the midsection and back is covered is the main target for an ememy trying to shoot the K-9. Any shrapnel protection is gravy as far as I’m concerned.

Steven Skovranek January 22nd, 2009 at 4:49 pm

that’s what I was thinking about duck

its a good book

Ed Bickel January 22nd, 2009 at 6:42 pm

Sam saved my life.He was 130lb Black Shepard. Sam made thru combat with out a scratch to bad the handlers had to leave them in Nam. The first time I saw Body Armor on a dog It was The FRG road side stop during the red brigade days in germany. My poor mother she did not know what to think a dog in a Flak Jacket, then she realized the cold war was not that Cold SSG Ed

webster pell January 22nd, 2009 at 7:50 pm

any one who have worked with dogs know the are more then equipment they save lives any thing to protect them is money well spent i saw this first hand more then once in country

Capt Pat January 23rd, 2009 at 12:53 am

The idea isn’t to protect from explosives, other than shrapnel from an explosion. Even our own body armor doesn’t do that. Just like the vests we use on law enforcement K9’s, bomb dogs and all, its to give the partner a chance. Most folks do not realize the cost of a trained K9 and handler. (it ain’t cheap…) And as for the dogs ability to carry additional lightweight gear, its been done since World War Two and most likely before. There are histories on working dogs, and many of them are hero’s of the highest calibre. I work with them, I know.

SFC B January 24th, 2009 at 4:37 pm

I think this is great. Just last week here in our small town of Belton, TX, a police office out walking his dog in his pj bottom and slippers shot his neighbors dog four time, three of those shots were while the dog was running away. We are still wonder wear he kept the gun. He is posted at the high school. Can you image what would happend if your child pissed him off

Suzanne February 9th, 2009 at 10:58 am

I certainly don’t think it is ridiculous

Sengira March 25th, 2009 at 6:57 pm

As a Police K9 Handler I can tell you losing a dog you have trained with for years and years is hell on earth. Anything to help protect the dog is money well spend. For a Police K9 it cost about ten thousand dollars for just the dog and a 6 week training course. Then you are looking at at least 1 year of training to bring the dog “up to snuff”. Plus regular training everyday to keep the dog in good working order. It is a lot of money when you break it all down. This piece of gear will not stop everything nothing could ever stop everything but any little bit helps. K9s have been put to the test over and over again and have come out with honors, they are truly mans best.

jen December 13th, 2010 at 2:24 pm

i want to how much it is

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