Breeders Battle for Right to Claim Hero Navy SEAL Dog

It's been reported that a military dog accompanied the Navy SEAL team that took out Osama bin Laden. But what kind of dog? What kind of dog? Well, it was probably a German shepherd or a Belgian Malinois, breeds that boast "the best overall combination of keen sense of smell, endurance, speed, strength, courage, intelligence and adaptability to almost any climatic condition," according to a military fact sheet cited in The New York Times. The dog was no doubt awesome, but knowing the exact breed is very important to breeders who are eager to claim the hero canine as one of their own:

Suzanne Belger, president of the American Belgian Malinois Club, said she was hoping the dog was one of her breed “and that it did its job and came home safe.” But Laura Gilbert, corresponding secretary for the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, said she was sure the dog was her breed “because we’re the best!”