Dogs have been serving in the military for thousands of years, and the American armed forces are no exception. They have been included in every single war that America has ever fought, from the Civil War to Vietnam to the Revolutionary War to World War Two. Dogs have detected drugs and explosives, warned troops about mustard gas attacks, helped to catch terrorists, uncovered mines and tracked down all manner of enemies. 

While in days gone by dogs would be cast aside like old rubbish when their career ended, there is a law in place these days that honors their service by guaranteeing them not only a comfortable retirement including rehoming but also the opportunity for their handler to adopt them if they want to. 

Military dogs typically work with a single handler, though of course if their human is sadly killed in action, then they may have to work with a new one - though not all can adapt. Similarly, some military dogs make the ultimate sacrifice, in which instance a poem is read by the commanding officer and the dog's bowl is ceremonially placed upside down. Fortunately, though, most military dogs - like their handlers - come home safe, and live a good retirement knowing that they truly are Uncle Sam's best friend.

Could your dog make it with the best of the best of the best? Let's find out!