NATIONAL DOG MONTH: In honor of National Dog Month, we are sharing some facts about the Belgian Malinois, a breed chosen by police departments nationwide to help with upholding the law.

— The Belgian Malinois (pronounced “mal-in-wa”) was developed in the Belgian city of Malines and was thus named for its birthplace.

— The Belgian Malinois is actually one of four breeds of Belgian sheepdogs that were all bred for herding and were developed in different parts of the country. Over the last century, the Mals have expanded their resume far beyond herding and have proven themselves to be extremely versatile.

— The Belgian Malinois started its military career during World War I when they served as messengers and assistants to the Red Cross. According to some accounts, they also pulled ambulance carts and carts carrying firearms.

— Today, the Belgian Malinois are incredibly important members of the U.S. military. Most of the dogs that work with the elite Navy SEALS are Mals, including Cairo, the brave canine that helped SEAL Team 6 take down Osama bin Laden in 2011. SEAL dogs like Cairo are given their own special body armor and even get their own night-vision goggles.

— One of the reasons Belgian Malinois are favored over German Shepherd Dogs for many military operations is that Malinois are better skydivers. Malinois are lighter than German Shepherds, so it’s easier for military parachutists to do tandem jumps with their dogs strapped to them. Mals can even be trained to jump on their own, which is safer for the dogs when they land in water.

— Actress Eva Mendes depended on her Belgian Malinois, Hugo, to keep her feeling safe and secure when she had to get a restraining order against a stalker in 2011. Malinois are extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs.