In a photo taken on August 30, 2014 a man brushes his dog as he waits to take part in a competition at a dog show in Seoul. Some 2000 dogs took part in the three-day show organised by the Korea Kennel Federation which was celebrating its 58th anniversary. Dog ownership in South Korea is a growing industry widely reported to have passed 10 million in 2013, with private expenditure on pet supplies increasing some 14 percent per year since 2000, according to a report by the Nonghyup Economic Research Institute. (Photo by Ed Jones/AFP Photo)

A Husky dog looks on before a sled and skijoring race in the village of Kadnikovo outside Yekaterinburg, Russia, December 10, 2016. (Photo by Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)

A dog in a purple dress, taken in El Dorado, Arkansas, December 2016. The dapper dogs in clothes are back with a second series, and they’re feeling festive. (Photo by Tammy Swarek/Barcroft Images)

Throughout the course of the long war in Afghanistan, Coalition troops have relied on thousands of military working dogs to help keep them safe, and make their jobs easier. The dogs are trained to detect explosives, to find illegal drugs, to search for missing comrades, or target enemy combatants. Not only are they active on the front lines, but behind the lines they serve as therapy dogs, service dogs, and loyal companions. They also share the same risks as the ground troops, suffering injuries and sometimes death on the battlefields. Gathered here are images of these dogs and their handlers in Afghanistan and back home, from over the past several years, part of the ongoing series here on Afghanistan.

Disabled dogs outfitted with wheelchairs walk at an animal rescue center on July 12, 2008 in Chengdu of Sichuan Province, China. The center has adopted over 100 stray dogs and cats from quake-struck areas. Those who were hurt or disabled are outfitted with a cart to help support they're body and make them mobile. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

Mushers and their huskies practice at a forest course ahead of the Aviemore Sled Dog Rally on January 24, 2016 in Feshiebridge, Scotland. Huskies and sledders prepare ahead of the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain 34th race taking place at Loch Morlich this weekend near Aviemore. (Photo by Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)

Ugly dog contestants Sweepee Rambo and owner Jason Wurtz celebrate in winning the 2016 World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, USA, 24 June 2016. (Photo by Peter Dasilva/EPA)