Melissa Stewart's team competes in the official restart of the Iditarod, a nearly 1,000 mile (1,610 km) sled dog race across the Alaskan wilderness, in Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S. March 6, 2017. (Photo by Nathaniel Wilder/Reuters)

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)

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.

Evelyn Ramirez and Juan Manuel enjoy posting adorable photos of their pit bull on Instagram. However, their photos seem to be gaining traction online, thanks to their pet’s dapper get-ups.

Spunky runs during the third heat of a dog race Monday, September 1, 2014, at Canterbury Park, in Shakopee, Minn. Canterbury Park hosted their annual Labor Day Wiener Dog Wars in which dogs competed in seven races on the horse track for the title of Grand Champion. (Photo by Jeff Wheeler/AP Photo/The Star Tribune)

Photographer Lucy Ray says she has been scratched by the pooches who are diving underwater to try and catch a tennis ball. Their wide-eyed desperation has been captured by a specialist underwater photographer who admits she has been bitten and scratched by the pooches who only had eyes for the ball. Lucy Ray, 34, said: “A dog could have the cutest face on land but as soon as they get in the water they can be terrifying. Their eyes bulge and teeth shoot out of their mouth just like an alien as they try to catch the ball”. (Photo by Lucy Ray)

The “Doggie moms” are women (and sometimes men) carrying dressed up toy dogs in purses everywhere they go. Through their dogs, they meet regularly, often for animal-related charity events, and for each occasion have their dog wear hundreds of dollars in bedazzled outfits.