Horrie the War Dog

The Story of Australia's Most Famous Dog

By: Roland Perry

Narrated by: David Tredinnick

In the harsh Libyan desert in the middle of the second world war, Private Jim Moody, a signaller with the First Australian Machine Gun Battalion, found a starving puppy on a sand dune. Moody called the dog Horrie. Much more than a mascot, Horrie's exceptional hearing picked up the whine of enemy aircraft two minutes before his human counterparts and repeatedly saved the lives of the thousand-strong contingent.

When the war was finished and Horrie smuggled back home, quarantine officers pounced and demanded that the dog be put down, prompting a huge public outcry. Was Horrie, the gunner's hero, condemned to die or could Moody devise a scheme to save him. In the finest ANZAC tradition, Horrie the War Dog is a story of intrigue and illusion, and of sacrifice, courage and loyalty.

©2013 Copyright © Roland Perry 2013. (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

Perry's work must be rated the first great read about the victories of the Australian cavalry in Arabia.' - Paul Ham, The Australian (for The Australian Light Horse)

G'Day Horrie!

Would you consider the audio edition of Horrie the War Dog to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print edition, so I don't know which is better. For myself, though, I am very auditory, so I like to hear a story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I would have to say Murchisen (spelling??). He is portrayed as this gruff, tough guy, but when he is around Horrie, he is mush. I love his devotion to Horrie and Horrie's growing devotion to him.

Have you listened to any of David Tredinnick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I have heard him and I absolutely LOVE his performance. I will definitely be listening to more from him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It is towards the end, so I won't spill too much of the beans, but when Horrie is back in Australia and is made a member of one of the veteran's groups.

Any additional comments?

For anyone who enjoys reading stories about the military and about animals, this is the perfect marriage of the two! This true story of Horrie and his hooman is full of adventure, suspense, laughter, and love, and really gives the listener/reader a sense of just how profoundly the presence of an animal, especially a dog, can affect the outlook of people who are experiencing difficult situations, like war. This is just such a fun story, and DAvid Tredinnick's narration is spot on!

More than a story about a dog

This was a rock solid book about company of Aussies and their faithful companion. While the story about the dog is key, the book could also stand on it's own as a story about the lives of the ordinary Commonwealth soldier during WWII.

Anyone interested in furthering their knowledge of the history concerning ordinary soldiers during this historic period should consider this work. Of course, if you're after a good dog story it has that too.

Fun, masculine and heartwarming moving...

This is such a cool book about a extraordinary dog and his wonderful human mates....very well written and top notch narration....enjoy...

horrie hero

What made the experience of listening to Horrie the War Dog the most enjoyable?

the mateship and the banding together of the men in conflict

What other book might you compare Horrie the War Dog to and why?

bill the bastard another good story of friends and animals in the war

Which scene was your favorite?

yes he has done his research well

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

nothing david tredinnick is a very good storyteller and make it interresting to listen too