Safegaurding Your Pets Against Air Pollution Vol XII , Issue No 12 , Dec 2019 | Page 22

Dog Breed
CANINE COMMANDO, CONAN,
HONOURED IN A FELICITATION
CEREMONY AT THE WHITE HOUSE
US President Donald Trump recognised and applauded the eff orts of
Conan, the specially trained military service dog who assisted American
commandoes in the raid that resulted in the death of Islamic State (IS) chief
Abu Bakr-al Baghdadi in a felicitation ceremony at the White House.
Baghdadi (48), the world's most wanted terrorist, ended his life by blowing
up his suicide vest in a tunnel following the US raid on his compound in
Syria's Idlib province on October 26, 2019. Conan, a Female Belgian Malinois
military service dog, was injured by live electrical cables during the mission.
The canine has since made a full recovery and returned to duty.
Conan is a four-year veteran of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
Canine Programme. She has been a member of approximately 50 combat
missions. The dog is named after American comedian Conan O'Brien. The
Pentagon had earlier refused to reveal the canine's name to protect her
identity.
The dog, along with her new handler, visited the White House on Monday,
November 25, 2019 and met President Trump in his Oval Offi ce. Conan later
appeared in the Rose Garden for a Special Press Meet along with Trump, the
First Lady Melania and Vice President Mike Pence.
The President introduced Conan to journalists as  "probably the world's
most famous dog", and lavished praise on the canine hero by calling it "so
brilliant, so smart" and "a special animal who helped execute a fl awless
attack." Trump said he had awarded the dog a plaque and a medal to
acknowledge its valorous contribution in the military mission
Trump also described Conan’s Belgian Malinois breed as the "ultimate" at
fi ghting and drug sniffi ng. The same breed had been used in the 2011 US raid
against al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The President announced that the
dog would not be retiring and had more time to serve. Conan appeared to
be extremely calm and composed, during his public appearance.
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Creature Companion | December 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 12 • Noida
BREED CHARACTERISTICS
Adaptability: The Belgian Malinois
adapts exceptionally well to lifestyle
changes. They adjust pretty nicely to
all kinds of living environments.
Energy Level: Belgian Malinois dogs
have an extreme energy level. They
need owners who can spare time
for regular exercise and training.
They tend to exhibit destructive
tendencies if not exercised properly.
Shedding Level: These canines sport
a smooth coat that sheds twice a
year - during spring and fall. Regular
brushing aids in reducing the amount
of hair shed.
Affection Level: These canines are
extremely devoted and harbour a
strong desire to please their owners.
They are independent creatures
who are known to form deep and
unbreakable bonds with their human
companions. They like to be included
in all family activities.
Social Needs: Belgian Malinois
dogs are extremely social and crave
human and canine company. They
do not do very well when left alone
for long durations of time.
Child Friendly: Though the dogs are
child friendly, they are inappropriate
for families with small children as they
require a lot of time for exercise and
mental stimulation. The Belgian Mali-
nois will try to train toddlers to behave
in a certain manner as they would
while herding sheep. They should be
reprimanded even if seen indulging in
playful nipping with young children.
Likewise, children must be taught to
be respectful of domesticated canines.
Parental supervision is necessary for
small children.
Pet Friendly: Belgian Malinois dogs
show average friendliness towards
other dogs they socialise with. They
might be aggressive around new
animals. In spite of that, they do quite
well when raised with other pets
from a young age.