Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Mexico’s National Guard Welcomes Tiny Chihuahua Recruit Comando
Comando is a very small Chihuahua who has joined Mexico’s National Guard.
He is being trained to help with search-and-rescue work and is also the force’s mascot.
Most of the Guard’s working dogs are much bigger.
Comando was adopted after his former owners could no longer care for him.
He has worn tiny safety gear during training.
He also visits schools and community events.
An officer hopes he will help people feel more comfortable around the Guard.
Comando, a 13-month-old Chihuahua, has joined Mexico’s National Guard as a mascot and search-and-rescue trainee.
He is about 8 inches tall and weighs roughly 15 pounds, making him much smaller than the force’s usual working dogs.
The adopted dog was taken in by the security force around six months ago after his former elderly owners brought him to a rescue centre.
Comando has appeared at school events, civic ceremonies, community outreach programmes and Mexico’s Independence Day parade.
An officer said Comando could help people see a more approachable, human side of the National Guard.
- Who
- Comando, a Chihuahua, and Mexico’s National Guard.
- What
- Comando joined the force as a mascot and search-and-rescue trainee.
- When
- He was adopted around six months before the reports; a training session and parade appearance were also reported.
- Where
- Mexico City; Comando was adopted from the northern state of Chihuahua.
- Why
- He is being trained for search-and-rescue work and used in outreach to present a more approachable image of the force.
Approachable public image
Expanding military role
Comando’s role in the Guard
Approachable public image
Lieutenant Debora Hernandez said Comando could help the public see a more approachable side of the force and remind people that officers are human beings.
Expanding military role
The BBC reported that his mascot role is part of an effort to project a friendlier image as the National Guard’s military role in Mexico continues to expand.
- Age
- 13 months
- Height
- About 8 inches (21 cm)
- Weight
- About 15 pounds (7 kg)
- National Guard canine force
- Around 350 dogs, mostly larger breeds
- Adoption
- Adopted by the security force around six months before the reports
- Previous home
- He lived with an elderly couple who later took him to a rescue centre because they could no longer care for him
- Public appearances
- School events, civic ceremonies, outreach programmes and Mexico’s Independence Day parade