Meet Staff Sergeant Zzar, a bomb and improvised explosive device (IED) specialist. He’s seen here taking a rest with U.S. Army Sergeant Nathan Arriaga.

Oh wait, you thought Staff Sergeant Zzar was the person?

“Zzar,” a six year old Dutch Shepherd who had the full rank of a Staff Sergeant at the time of the photo, was part of the U.S. Forces Afghanistan K-9 unit working out of the Forward Operating Base Walton in the Arghandab district.  

Another Dutch Shepherd named “Zar,” (different spelling) was the popular member of West Sacramento’s police department when he retired in 2014.  After over six years of service, the former rescue dog – unusual in his line of work –  went to live as a family dog in the home of his former handler, Sergeant Roger Kinney. Zar had participated in around 200 searches. On a “good day” when he found drugs during a search, Zar was rewarded with a “Six Dollar Burger” from Carl’s Junior.

Zar’s Last shift

Zar was also popular on the school circuit through which he won a legion of young student-fans. He served an ambassador for his breed, for purebred dogs, and was a wonderful liaison for the police department.

There isn’t much a Dutch Shepherd can’t do, including work for law enforcement and the military. As an aside, while both Zar and Zzar are black, there was a point in time when there were fawn Dutch Shepherds along with the many different color brindles seen today. This was evident in the Kennel Club Belge stud book from 1933 to 1937.

Photo of the military Zzar found on Pinterest and happily credited upon receipt of information.