Carrier pigeons were practically the only means of transmitting information faster than through a messenger before the invention of the telegraph or in the absence of a wire connection. The Swiss Army established a carrier pigeon service in 1917, which was integrated into the telecommunications troops in 1951 and had its base at the Army Carrier Pigeon Station Sand-Schönbühl (Canton of Bern). Today, carrier pigeons are almost exclusively kept and bred for sporting competitions. Belgium is the homeland of pigeon racing. Other strongholds include the Netherlands and Germany, particularly the Ruhr area. There, carrier pigeons are also referred to as the racehorses of the common man, and pigeon breeders call themselves "Taubenvatta." Valuable breeding animals can cost several thousand euros. The pigeons require completion of up to 14 prize flights, some of which cover distances of up to 1400 km.