ardam, formerly CDK9 Raw, pauses each ANZAC Day to honour the animals who served alongside Australian and New Zealand forces. Dogs have stood beside servicemen and women for over a century, offering protection, companionship and, in many cases, quite literally saving lives. This is a tribute to some of those four-legged heroes and the loyalty they represent.
Sergeant Stubby: an early pioneer
Sergeant Stubby, a Boston Terrier mix, served during the First World War and became one of the most recognised dogs in military history. He was known for alerting soldiers to incoming gas attacks, helping locate wounded personnel for medics, and earning recognition for his service. Stubby's story is often cited as one of the earliest examples of the genuine value dogs brought to military life, well beyond companionship alone.
Caesar: comfort on the battlefield
Caesar was one of several Red Cross dogs deployed during the First World War to assist wounded soldiers. Trained to carry small medical supplies and locate injured personnel, Caesar also provided something harder to quantify: comfort and companionship to frightened, injured men in some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. His story reflects the emotional as much as the practical role dogs have played in service history.
Sarbi: resilience under extraordinary circumstances
Sarbi, an Australian Special Forces explosive detection dog, served in Afghanistan and became widely known after going missing for fourteen months following an ambush, before being found and reunited with her handler. Her story captured national attention and became a powerful symbol of resilience, both for the dogs who serve and the handlers who form such deep bonds with them.
Gunner: an unlikely early warning system
Gunner, a Kelpie-cross, served with the RAAF in Darwin during the Second World War. He became known for detecting approaching aircraft before conventional equipment could, effectively serving as an early warning companion for the crew stationed there. Gunner's story is a reminder of how a dog's natural senses, properly supported and trusted, could make a genuine difference under real pressure.
Kuga: courage in the field
Kuga, a Belgian Malinois attached to Australian Special Forces, served in Afghanistan and was recognised for bravery during a mission where his actions helped protect his team. Kuga's service is a reminder of the trust built between working dogs and their handlers, and the risks these animals face alongside the people they serve with.
The bond between handler and dog
Beyond the specific missions and awards, many of these stories point to something deeper: the profound trust built between a working dog and their handler. Handlers often describe the relationship as a genuine partnership, built over months or years of training, shared experience and mutual reliance. This bond is part of why so many handlers have advocated strongly for the wellbeing and recognition of the dogs they served alongside, and why organisations continue to document and honour these partnerships today.
It is also worth recognising that not every story ends in celebration. Many working dogs faced injury, trauma or loss alongside the people they served with, and their contributions carried real risk and real cost. Remembering that fuller picture, rather than only the triumphant stories, is part of giving these animals the genuine respect they are owed.
Their legacy continues today
The roles working dogs play have evolved, but their contribution continues. Detection dogs still serve alongside personnel today, therapy and support dogs help veterans navigate the challenges of adjusting to civilian life, and search-and-rescue dogs continue to save lives following natural disasters across Australia and around the world. These dogs do not wear uniforms or receive medals in the way people do, but their loyalty and impact remain just as real.
Why we take a moment to remember
At ardam, we believe in celebrating the deep bond between dogs and the people they support, whether that is a family pet, a working dog, or an animal who served in far more demanding circumstances than most of us will ever know. ANZAC Day is an opportunity to reflect on service and sacrifice more broadly, and we think it is fitting to include the animals who stood alongside servicemen and women throughout that history.
If reading these stories has you thinking about the bond you share with your own dog, we would gently point you toward a few resources: our feeding quiz can help you understand your dog's nutritional needs, and our sample pack is a simple way to explore raw feeding if you are curious. But today is really about remembering.
Remembering the everyday alongside the extraordinary
Not every dog who serves does so in dramatic circumstances, and that is worth remembering too. Many working dogs spend careers in quieter, steady roles, detection work, patrol support, or simply providing calm companionship to personnel far from home. Their contribution matters just as much as the more widely told stories, even if it rarely makes the history books. On ANZAC Day, we think it is worth holding space for all of it, the dramatic rescues and the quiet, steady service alike.
A Sydney and Australian perspective
Sydney and cities across Australia mark ANZAC Day each year with services and commemorations that reflect on the sacrifices made by service personnel and the animals who served alongside them. For more detailed histories and further reading on the role of animals in Australian military history, the Australian War Memorial maintains an extensive archive well worth exploring.
How you can take part in remembering
You do not need any special connection to the military to take a moment on ANZAC Day to reflect on the animals who served. Visiting a local memorial, reading further on the Australian War Memorial's archives, or simply sharing these stories with others are all meaningful, accessible ways to keep this history present. Many local RSL branches and community groups also hold services that welcome public attendance.
A quiet thank you
There is something fitting about pausing to think of dogs on a day set aside for remembrance. They cannot tell their own stories, so it falls to the people who served alongside them, and to those of us learning from a distance, to keep those stories told with honesty and respect. Every dog mentioned in this article, and countless others whose stories were never recorded, gave something real in service of the people around them.
Wherever you are today, we hope you will take a quiet moment to appreciate the dog, or dogs, in your own life, and to remember that the loyalty and bravery we admire in these historical stories is often present, in smaller everyday ways, in the dog curled up beside you right now. If you would like to read more about the dogs and history mentioned here, the Australian War Memorial holds a detailed archive. You are also welcome to browse our full range if you are looking after a working or family dog of your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did dogs really serve in the Australian military?
Yes. Dogs have served in various roles alongside Australian and New Zealand forces for over a century, including detection, search-and-rescue, companionship and support roles.
What happened to Sarbi?
Sarbi, an Australian Special Forces explosive detection dog, went missing for fourteen months after an ambush in Afghanistan before being found and reunited with her handler, becoming a widely recognised story of resilience.
Who was Sergeant Stubby?
Sergeant Stubby was a Boston Terrier mix who served during the First World War, known for alerting soldiers to gas attacks and helping locate wounded personnel.
Do working dogs still serve today?
Yes. Detection dogs, therapy and support dogs for veterans, and search-and-rescue dogs continue to serve important roles in Australia and internationally today.
Where can I learn more about animals in Australian military history?
The Australian War Memorial maintains detailed archives and resources on the role of animals, including dogs, throughout Australian military history.
Why does ardam write about this topic?
We believe in honouring the deep bond between dogs and the people they support, in every context, including the extraordinary service of working dogs throughout history.
How does Sydney commemorate ANZAC Day?
Sydney holds services and commemorations each year reflecting on the sacrifices of service personnel, with growing public recognition of the animals who served alongside them.
Reviewed by the ardam team.
