Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois

Obviously the news this week has been dominated by one story: the demise of Osama bin Laden. While the grisly details of that affair may not be something you'd typically read about under the Paw Nation masthead, it is worth mentioning that this, like many U.S. military actions before it, involves four-legged, furry heroics.

That's right; the Navy SEAL team that brought down Osama bin Laden counted a single canine unit among its ranks, according to the Huffington Post. The exact identity of the dog, like its Navy SEAL counterparts, remains a mystery. Reportedly the animal was a Belgian Malinois, although reports indicate it may have been a German shepherd.

The dog's role in the raid on bin Laden's compound is unclear, although the use of dogs in the military is nothing new.Belgian Malinois are well-regarded for their intelligence, agility, loyalty, and particularly the sensory abilities that allow them to detect weapons and enemy forces at great distances. It also has been reported that, in addition to their natural gifts, Navy SEAL dogs are given "titanium fangs capable of ripping through enemy protective armor."

Belgian Malinois