These are the stories we rarely hear—the ones that stay with soldiers long after the war is over.
From the frozen training grounds of Norway to the deserts of Afghanistan, from the jungles of East Timor to the streets of Ukraine, these remarkable dogs have served in every climate and conflict. Trained to detect explosives, track enemies, protect bases, and comfort soldiers under fire, they have saved countless lives while asking for nothing in return.
These pages share the real accounts of soldiers and handlers who trusted their lives to a dog — rescue dogs turned warriors, mascots who became comrades, and special operations canines who leapt into danger without hesitation. What sets these stories apart is not only the dogs’ loyalty and courage, but also the unbreakable bonds they forged with their human partners — bonds that endured long after the battle ended.
Dogs of War is a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering companionship of the four-legged diggers who carried the weight of war alongside those who led them.
Nigel Allsopp has worked with military and police dogs for over three decades, both in Australia and internationally. He has spent many months over the last several years in war-torn Ukraine, training handlers in advanced K9 First aid — continuing his mission to honour the animals who serve beside us.
Royalties will be donated to The Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation.
‘More than heroes, these dogs were lifelines — loyal, fearless, unforgettable.’
David Rees – Monash Memorial Defence Library –
The book is written in an informative, easy-to-read style, with many photos of Australian dogs and handlers. Many stories are included about particular dogs to illustrate the close emotional bond that can be developed between the handler and the dog, especially in the recent war in Afghanistan. In Australia, a few dogs were awarded a Dickin medal or an Animal Distinguished Service Award for their courage, loyalty and unwavering companionship. Many dogs now serve in special ADF canine units, while a few are still used as mascots for some battalions.
Like Australia, many other nations—such as Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, Poland, the USA, Ukraine, Israel, Columbia and New Zealand—use MWDs in their defence forces and have established well equipped K-9 (Canine) units. For example, Britain established one of the first dedicated army MWD regiments in 2010. It was deployed mainly for the detection of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan. That unit included 284 personnel and 200 dogs. The dogs typically ranked one level above their handlers, so as to foster respect for them from the handlers!
Surprisingly, the RAAF is the primary user of dogs in the Australian Defence Force, deploying them for security, emergency response, and crime prevention. The Army follows closely behind, while the Navy employs dogs for cargo searches, personnel detection, and aquatic operations.
This book is a welcomed, as there is little written about the use of military working dogs in war and ‘War Dogs’ certainly fills the gap very well.
David Rees – Monash Memorial Defence Library –
The book is a good historical reference for humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations by the RAAF and Qantas and is an interesting read. It is well supported by a large bibliography, an index and maps of the regions where Australian HADR operations have been conducted.