 The predominate canine selected by the US Military during the Vietnam War was the German Shepherd Dog , which was utilized in the roles of Scout Dogs , Sentry Dogs , Mine Detection Dogs , and the US Navy used Water Dogs to detect enemy under water divers in South Vietnam . The Labrador Retriever was the military 's choice for their Combat Tracker Teams ( CTTs ) . Combat Tracker Teams consisted of one Labrador and four men : the handler , an observer , a security man , and the team leader . Labradors were selected by the military for tracking because of their distinct smelling qualities , and were utilized to locate wounded US servicemen , enemy patrols , and downed allied airmen in Vietnam . The US Army Labrador Retrievers received their combat training at the British Army 's Jungle Warfare School in Malaysia . 
