How do War dogs / War hounds gain experience ?

[Shieldmaiden]

I at least used to have a Wardogs unit I called "The Emperor's Hounds" as my faction leader had them all through his decades long campaign through in Central Europe, and they gained 3 gold and the handlers never entered melee.

The dogs are "free" and don't need retraining to full unit size. I'd imagine thats why it changed?

[Caliburn]

Yeah, I can see the logic behind it, and I think it's better this way anyway. Dogs should have a fixed experience anyway, and the handlers can still get exp pretty easily if you use them as flankers.