A dog trained for use in war (formerly, to attack the foe; now, for carrying messages, sentry-work, etc.). Also fig., a fierce warrior (cf. sea-dog); U.S. one whose voice is for war, a ‘war-hawk.’
1813. Columbian Centinel, 23 Oct., 2/1, in A. Matthews Uncle Sam (1908), 28 War-dogs.
1846. Congressional Globe, 18 April, 687/1. The gentleman regarded 54° 40′ men as *‘war-hawks’ and ‘war-dogs!’
1852. Thackeray, Esmond, II. ix. In the hour of battle … the Prince … shrieked curses and encouragement, yelling and harking his bloody war-dogs on, and himself always at the first of the hunt.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Race, Wks. (Bohn), II. 30. But they know where their war-dogs lie. Cromwell, Blake, Marlborough, Chatham, Nelson, and Wellington, are not to be trifled with.
1872. Encycl. Brit., VII. 325/2. Corinth was said to have been saved by 50 war dogs, which attacked the enemy that had landed while the garrison slept.
1894. Daily News, 1 June, 6/7. A type-writing cyclist, who sends despatches back from the front by a war-dog.
1900. United Service Mag., Jan., 425. The umpires decided that the carrying of despatches was the first and indispensable qualification for a ‘war-dog.’
1920. E. H. Richardson (title), British War Dogs, Their Training and Psychology.
