The U.S. military currently has about 2,800 active-duty dogs deployed around the world, with approximately 600 currently in Afghanistan and Iraq. German Shepherd Dogs are still used as war dogs by the American military, but for tandem parachute jumping and rappelling operations undertaken by SEAL teams, the lighter Belgian Malinois is preferred (such as Cairo, the Malinois that helped the SEAL DevGru team capture Osama bin Laden). Labrador Retrievers are also favored by various military organizations around the world.

All Navy SEAL dogs undergo an intensity of training that matches the difficulties of their human counterparts, but only 1% of candidate dogs make the cut for Special Operations Forces training. SEAL Dogs are trained in 5 areas of expertise:

• explosive detection
• tracking search & rescue
• laser target acquisition
• sixth sense training
• bite work

Dogs are required to overcome their instincts and develop complete trust in their handlers. One of the first tests is teaching the dogs to swim past a vision of the shore line, another is become fully comfortable around the sound of gunfire. Due to the extreme nature of Navy SEAL deployments, all dogs are familiarized with riding in, and jumping out of, aircraft.

Fifteen hours a week will be spent by the dogs and their handlers running an obstacle course that resembles a combat environment, and aside from preparing a dog for his or her combat role, the time together builds a strong relationship between the handler and his dog. We’ve read on that SEAL handlers often refer to themselves as the dogs’ ‘dads.’

The Smithsonian Channel has as wonderful 50 minute program taking an intimate look at one of these incredible dogs, “Chopper,”  a black German Shepherd, and his partner, Trevor Maroshek. Now in retirement, Chopper works as a therapy dog helping Maroshek heal from the psychological and physical wounds of war. Maroshek even founded “Seal Dog Foundation” to provide veterans with these K-9 superheroes as service dogs. You can watch the program here.