- .Regular Army
- .Find a Role
- .Dog Handler
/)
- medical
- Soldier
- Regular
Dog Handler
Train a dog to Army standards. Go on exercises and operations worldwide and enjoy adventure, challenges, sports and an amazing bond with your hound.
Starting salary
£26,334
Role details
Everything you need to know about the role, requirements and what you’ll gain.
Age
At the time of your application you will need to be between 17 years & 6 months old and 35 years & 6 months old .
Fitness
Mid Thigh Pull 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m
2km run 11 min 30 sec
Education
No formal qualifications required; however desire to work outside, with animals and previous kennel or dog handling experience will be looked on favourably.
Need help?
Unsure about any requirements? Our recruitment team is here to help.
As a Dog Handler, you’ll take Military Working Dogs wherever the Army is deployed. You start by working with protection dogs, making sure that bases and Army sites are safe and secure. Later, you might be chosen to handle specialist dogs that can sniff out arms and explosives. In barracks and on low-level training exercises, you’ll work with colleagues in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. On operations or large-scale exercises, you’ll support troops from every part of the Army, wherever military dogs are needed. You’ll train your dogs to the highest standard and enjoy an incredible bond. Together, you could save lives.
Key responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Work in challenging and hostile environments
Work mostly outdoors
Work outside normal hours looking after animals
Use your patience and a consistent approach to work successfully with animals
Carry out other military duties
Step 1
Initial basic military training teaches you how to be a soldier. This covers everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle. This course takes place at either Pirbright in Surrey or Winchester, Hampshire.
Step 2
Trade training happens at the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray. It’s a seven-week course that includes an induction week, a Protection Handler and Practical Training Assistant course, Field Skills phase, Veterinary First Aid package and a key skills test week. You will finish your trade training by gaining a Class 3 dog handler qualification.
You'll earn £25,200 a year from the start of your training, which will go up as you progress throughout your career.
Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Apprenticeship
Specialist Military Working Dogs (MWD) handling qualifications (based on ability and the needs of the Army)
As your career progresses could also get:
Level 3 Detection and Protection Working Dog Specialist Apprenticeship
Level 4 Animal Trainer Instructor Apprenticeship
/)
More roles like this
FeaturedDriver
