Dogs at War: Military Canine Heroes

by Connie Goldsmith

While in a war zone, a military working dog (MWD) and its handler live together, eat together, play together, sleep together, and risk their lives for each other every day. The dogs work with handlers in every branch of the US military. They guard military bases, sniff out concealed explosives and other weapons, and alert their handlers to hidden enemies.

Learn how the military selects these special dogs and trains them for the many tasks they perform while on duty. Meet Rex, Clipper, Maci, Iva, Ikar, and other MWDs who have served the US military in conflicts around the world.

Genres: Nonfiction

104 pages, Library Binding

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Brooke Shackelford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This (less than 100 page) book covers everything from the history of Military Working Dogs, to what breeds are best and how they’re trained, to what ways they’re used in the field and how they are retired after their service. It’s interspersed with personal stories from lots of the dogs’ handlers. This is a great non-fiction title that will entice dog lovers and military fanatics alike. I would recommend to my students in 6th-9th grades.

[Brandon]

I can relate to this book in so many different ways. I just want to start off by saying this is one of the best military books I've read all my life. It really explains what these dogs in which I like to call heroes for these soldiers and how much they actually do for these guys and girls in the military. I think the most eye catching parts in this book is when the author starts to talk about how this dog was rescued from being shot at and air care had to come and save him and he was seconds away from dying and he was finally saved from the air care medics. It is also very interesting when I can just read about all the certain and unique things these dogs have and the practice and pain they go through to get where they are today is just incredible. The dogs in who do this have a lot of talent and lots of time and sweat, and tears into these incredible heroes and if I ever had the opportunity to train or just be with one that would be amazing to me and it would mean a lot to me. I would highly recommend this book to someone who is currently in the war or who had one of these dogs. It really comes down to how much of a hero they are to us and how awesome they really are.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Military Working Dogs (MWD) have been used by America’s armed forces since just after WWI. In fact, civilians were asked to lend their dogs to the cause during WWII. Today, most MWDs are bred in Europe or at Lackland Air Force base in Texas, and trained all over the country to find the enemy, detect drugs and explosives, and warn of danger as guards and companions. These dogs are treated like soldiers, given military rank and respect, and are responsible for saving hundreds even thousands of lives. They are war heroes who risk their lives, but seem to enjoy their work. The handlers are also specially trained and work in tandem with these special dogs.

This book tells the stories of some of the individual dogs and their partners, as well as the program that trains and maintains them. A fascinating read with a lot of information, including websites and books for further reading. Full of photographs of the servicemen and their MWDs, the dog lovers and the kids who like military books will enjoy this.


Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going to be popular with a variety of readers.

[Brenda Kahn]

Wonderfully readable and informative! I dare you to read it without crying.