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.

Four-year-old Chinese boy Huang Yang plays with five-year-old beluga whale Xiao Xin at the Qingdao Ocean World on November 3, 2007 in Qingdao of Shandong Province, China. Huang Yang began swimming as a baby and fell in love with the whale after watching its performance. On the International Children's Day, June 1 this year, the Qingdao Ocean World has made the boy's dream come true when they allowed Huang Yang to swim with the beluga whale. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

Three-month old cheetah cubs make their public debut at the Smithsonian National Zoo on July 24, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick)

“George Stubbs (25 August 1724 – 10 July 1806) was an English painter, best known for his paintings of horses”. – Wikipedia

Photo: LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Christie's employees stand beside a painting entitled “Gimcrack on Newmarket Heath, with a Trainer, a Stable-Lad, and a Jockey” by George Stubbs on April 6, 2011 in London, England. The painting is expected to sell for in excess of £20M GBP, making it one of the most expensive Old Master paintings ever sold at auction when it goes on sale at the 'Old Masters and British paintings evening sale' at Christie's auction house on July 5, 2011. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

After being rescued as a young fox cub, Todd the 11-month-old fox is getting along just fine as a domestic pet together with his owner, Emma D’Sylva. Todd goes for walks on a leash, plays with D’Sylva’s two other dogs, and wags his tail when it’s time to eat. He was rescued by D’Sylva when he was 4 months old from other owners who could no longer care for him.

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)

A photographer has created a series of paw-traits of hungry dogs pulling hilarious faces as they try and catch treats. Using a unique technique, the shots are captured at the exact moment the adorable pooches attempt to catch an airborne piece of food. The dogs appear surprised, happy, sad, confused – and sometimes even so blasé they miss the treat entirely. The images were taken by Christian Vieler, a photographer from Waltrop, Germany. Here: A labrador retriever. (Photo by Christian Vieler/Caters News)