War Dogs

War Dogs follows the stories of military working dogs and their handlers during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The book draws from firsthand accounts, interviews, and extensive research to document these K9 teams at work. The narrative tracks several handler-dog pairs through their training, deployment, and return home. Through their experiences, readers learn about the selection and preparation of military dogs, their roles in detecting explosives and other threats, and the intense bonds formed between handlers and their canine partners. Military dogs emerge as critical assets in modern warfare, with their unique abilities saving countless lives on the battlefield. The book examines both successful missions and difficult losses, revealing the physical and emotional toll of war on both human and canine soldiers. The book transcends simple military history by exploring themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the complex relationship between humans and animals in extreme circumstances. The handler-dog partnerships serve as a lens through which to understand broader questions about courage and connection in wartime.

Readers appreciate the detailed accounts of military working dogs and their handlers, with many highlighting the emotional depth of the human-canine bonds described. Multiple reviews note the book strikes a balance between military operations and personal stories. Likes: - Clear explanations of dog training methods - First-hand accounts from handlers - Historical context of military dogs - Quality of research and reporting Dislikes: - Some sections feel repetitive - Technical jargon can be overwhelming - A few readers wanted more focus on the dogs themselves - Some found the structure jumps around too much One reader noted: "The personal stories hit hard, especially the losses of both handlers and dogs." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (100+ ratings) Many reviews mention the book works well for both military history readers and dog lovers, though some military readers wanted more tactical details.

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🐾 Military working dogs were so valuable in Vietnam that Viet Cong soldiers were offered bounties for killing them—sometimes worth as much as the bounty for killing a human U.S. soldier. 🎖️ Rebecca Frankel spent three years researching and interviewing military dog handlers, veterinarians, and trainers while working as a senior editor at Foreign Policy magazine. 🐕 The U.S. Military Working Dog Program was largely inspired by a civilian named Ruth Quinn, who convinced the military to use dogs after reading about their success in European armies during World War I. 💔 When U.S. forces withdrew from Vietnam, many military working dogs were classified as "surplus equipment" and left behind, leading to public outcry and eventual changes in military policy regarding service animals. 🏅 The book follows several specific handler-dog teams, including Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joshua Ashley and his dog Sirius, who served in Afghanistan until Ashley was killed by an IED in 2012; Sirius went on to serve with another handler.