Dogs have played important roles throughout NATO and military history. The MVP (most valuable pup) in search and rescue missions; the nose in explosives detection; or simply wo/man's best friend. This International Dog Day, we'd like to offer you a real treat: a collection of historical and contemporary snapshots that capture the incredible bravery, intelligence and loyalty of service dogs, and the bonds they share with their two-legged friends.
Lord Ismay, NATO's first Secretary General, and his wife, Lady Ismay, 'paws' for a photo with their beloved golden retriever at their official residence, Villa Said, in Paris (1955).
'Paws-itively paw-lar'! A dog waits impatiently for two soldiers to follow him from their snow shelter during an Allied Command Europe Mobile Force exercise in Norway (1960).
NATO's fourth Secretary General, Manlio Brosio, and his wife, Clothilde Brosio, pamper their poodle, Pulpo, who often accompanied them on official visits abroad. During a few 'ruff' occasions, Pulpo misbehaved and the visit had to be shortened (1964).
A dog barks orders while he hounds Portuguese soldiers during a drill exercise (1967).
A Great Dane hunts for his seat at the table at the Situation Centre at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium (1968).
Rata, a rescue dog aboard a Spanish Military Emergency Unit boat is ready to make a splash during Consequence Management Exercise "CRNA GORA - 2016" in Montenegro. Rata can smell humans up to eight metres away in the water, so she's the MVP (most valuable pup) during search and rescue missions!
Latvian National Army photo by Normunds Mežiņš.
Puppy love! Soldiers from the Latvian Armed Forces, together with officers from NATO's multinational battlegroup Latvia, and US troops deployed to Latvia as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, provide support to the animal shelter "Otrā māja" in Daugavpils District, Latvia, by cleaning and repairing the facility and grounds in their spare time (2017).
Photo courtesy of the Spanish Navy
Not a good boy, a GRRREAT boy! A Spanish Marine Infantry dog demonstrates controlled aggression under the guidance of his handler during a training exercise (2016).
Photo courtesy of the Portuguese Air Force
Friends 'fur-ever': a Portuguese soldier and his service dog patrol an airfield during international live-fly exercise Real Thaw 2018, where six NATO Allies improve their flying skills and interoperability during 400 sorties and 600 flying hours (2018).
U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt Brian Kimball
A member of the Norwegian military and her Norwegian Elkhound prowl the grounds of Orland Air Station, Norway to secure Allied aircraft during exercise Trident Juncture 2018. Did you know: the Defence Minister of Norway is empowered to mobilise all privately owned Elkhounds to carry military supplies on sleds over snow during wartime!
U.S. DOD photo by Danette Baso Silvers
'Seas-ing' the day! A US marine and his working dog participate in over-the-beach-bag canine handler training at Naval Air Station Key West, United States (2018).
U.S. DOD photo by Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Oldham
Let's raise the woof! Two members of the US Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team 91101 deploy from an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter during a training exercise near the entrance to the Columbia River in Oregon, United States (2020).
Special operations forces from the Danish Jaeger Corps unleash their combat assault dog, Kaos, during exercise Night Hawk 2021. The exercise, hosted by Denmark, tests Allies'and partners' ability to work together through a series of complex counter-terrorism and hybrid warfare scenarios.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brandt Self
A US military working dog handler assigned to the 39th Security Forces Squadron on paw patrol with his K-9 partner, Nico, before a joint training event at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye (2021).
A Spanish Marine takes a well-deserved break with its human between exercises during Operation Sea Guardian; a year round, standing Maritime Security Operation in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea, which aims to improve maritime situational awareness, counter-terrorism efforts and regional capacity-building (2022).
Photo courtesy of the UK MOD. Crown copyright 2023.
This fetching attack dog is doing its 'paw-triotic' duty, ready to be unleashed by its handler during exercise Joint Viking in Norway (2023). Joint Viking takes place every two years and is the largest military exercise held in Norway, involving NATO Allies and partners.
Photo courtesy of the Royal Air Force. Crown copyright 2023.
Ready for take-off! An Estonian working dog 'em-barks' on a flight on a Chinook with Royal Air Force Odiham. Dogs and their handlers practise rapid embarkation and debarkation drills on aircraft supporting NATO forces as part of NATO's multinational battlegroup in Estonia (2023).
Photo courtesy of the Royal Air Force. Crown copyright 2023.
Having a ball! An Estonian working dog 'em-barks' on a flight on a Chinook with Royal Air Force Odiham. Dogs and their handlers practise rapid embarkation and debarkation drills on aircraft supporting NATO forces as part of NATO's multinational battlegroup in Estonia (2023).
'Bone' appetit! A canine member of the Swedish Air Force Rangers gnaws on a toy while awaiting instructions during a break in Exercise Aurora 2023. The exercise, hosted by Sweden, involves 26,000 personnel from various NATO countries and aims to improve Sweden's defences in case of future attack.
Special fur-ces on standby! A US Air Force Pavehawk helicopter lowers towards Swedish Air Force Rangers and their military dog in a simulated rescue mission during Exercise Aurora 2023. Alongside host, Sweden, participating countries included Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the UK and the US.
A busy day at the 'paw-fice'! Letty, a Belgian Shepherd who works at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, inspects all incoming deliveries, including diplomatic and regular mail. Letty is able to detect any suspicious substances or items… and she'd probably be able to detect treats too!
