Military Working Dogs

Film - Pacific 1942

More Than a Dog . . . A Soldier, A Partner Military working dogs first entered the service in March of 1942 to serve in the Army’s K-9 Corps. Today, the dogs, who have an actual military service record book assigned to them, are still playing an active role in searching for explosives and seizing the enemy Facts and History on Military Dogs

"Danang, Vietnam, 1969 Muzzled sentry dogs and their handlers ride in the back of a truck as they return from a patrol. R. A. Elder / Hulton Archive / Getty Images"


H.R. 5314 H.R. 5314 - To require the immediate termination of the Department of Defense practice of euthanizing military working dogs at the end of their useful working life and to facilitate the adoption of retired military working dogs by law enforcement agencies, former handlers of these dogs, and other persons capable of caring for these dogs. Full Text

A salute to our Military Working Dogs

I first learned about Military Working Dogs from a Vietnam Veteran. He spoke of how his dog was his best friend and partner and how much he loved that dog. One day in the line of duty Veteran sent his dog into a hole. He said the dog turned and looked at him with love in his eyes. Being the brave soldier with a tail, the dog licked his handlers face and proceeded to do his job. I'll never forget the look on the Veterans face when he shared this story. Decades later Veteran still grieved that moment that changed his life forever when his best friend sacrificed his life to save the Veterans life.

Vets Adopt Pets.org supports Military Working Dogs

He, She, They ain't heavy ... He's, She's, They're our brother, sister, cousin...

Military Working Dogs Save Many Lives From locating improvised explosive devices to identifying weapons caches, these trained dogs assist troops with Operation Enduring Freedom

“People don’t realize how many lives MWDs save,” said Chief Master at Arms RN, kennel master of Naval Station Rota's Security Department. “There are several instances in which MWDs have located explosive-laden vehicles or improvised explosive devices (IED) designed to kill or injure U.S. forces, as well as locating numerous weapons caches of small arms and ordnance used by insurgents and terrorists.”

Master at Arms 1st Class JC, accompanied by MWD Dino, was the first Naval Station Rota dog handler to go to Iraq. “The dog becomes your best friend, because it is with you 24/7,” said C. “The dog loves unconditionally, and that is a great feeling.”

BR, 12, gets a somber kiss from Eli, a bomb-sniffing military working dog, during a retirement and adoption ceremony at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 3, 2011. The Labrador retriever was assigned to Brady's older brother, Marine Corps Pfc. CR, who was killed in Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. BDI. See Movie

ROC, KISMA AND JAMPY - U.S. Air Force military working dogs Roc, Kisma and Jampy pose for a photo at the military working dog kennels on Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2010. The three working dogs, assigned to the 56th Security Forces Squadron, are scheduled to be medically retired April 6, 2010.U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. JC

Air Force Staff Sgt. CQ holds her puppy, which will enter the military working dog program in a year at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The dogs are enrolled in a 60- to 90-day training program, where they are trained in explosive and drug detection, deterrence and handler protection. U.S. Air Force photo by CG

The 341st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base operates a breeding program for military working dogs in support of the Department of Defense Military Working Dog program. These dogs are a vital part of our national defense and serve in Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps units around the globe. You can become part of this important effort by volunteering your home and time to raise a military working dog.