Wardogs- Too powerful or not?

[TheDuck]

I think it wrong to classify wardogs as a fanatsy unit. There is no doubt that dogs were used in ancient warfare in fact its where we get the phrase 'Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war'.

However, I think they were a very specialised unit nad certainly not a major feature of any battle. The historical articles I have read state that their most common usage was against cavalry where they were equipped with vertical blades strapped to their back and trained to run under and between the horses legs thus causing confusion and havoc amongst mounted formations.

The biggest problem however must have been enemy recognition and I suspect that once released wardogs ought to count as 'running amok' after their initial unit contact.

'Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of War' - William Shakespeare (the play 'Julius Ceasar').

Many dog breeders on the internet claim that the Mastiff originated from Wardogs bred in Britian and Europe 2000 or more years ago. Can't find too many references in classical history, but that isn't that surprising, since ancient historians generally didn't focus on the mechanics of battle as muhc as the political/social repercussions of a battle. There are references in classical texts to manuals used by Roman Generals to help train the newer leaders in battlefield mechanics/tactics, but none survive to the modern day.. so much (although not all) of what we know today ends up being the result of educated guessing on our part.

And on the subject of the thread.. I like them myself.. as others have stated, good for a 'distraction' while your main force does its work (since the dogs are completely expendable and you can independently back off the handlers after the dogs are released).

Don't use them alone.. but use them to soak up casualties since they replenish in a turn.