Dogs In History

Newfoundland dogs are renown for their friendliness, love of children and for their rescuing abilities. Since the breed was developed in Newfoundland over a hundred years ago, there have been many stories told of Newfoundlands saving passengers from sinking ships and rescuing children in trouble while playing in their favourite swimming holes. But there is one Newfoundland that showed bravery and loyalty beyond what is commonly credited to the breed. His name was Gander and he gave his life protecting Canadian and other Commonwealth soldiers on the beaches of Hong Kong Island during World War II.
In 1940, Gander was the family pet of Rod Hayden, a resident of the town of Gander in Newfoundland. The dog's name at that time was Pal. He was well known in the town, but often mistaken as a bear by pilots landing at the airport. This gentle giant was loved by the neighbourhood children who used him to tow their sleds during winter. One day, while greeting a group of children, Pal's paw accidentally scratched the face of a six year old. Concerned that the dog might have to be "put down", Mr. Hayden gave Pal to the 1 st Battalion of the Royal Rifles of Canada as a mascot. His new owners called him Gander, after the military base they were responsible for protecting during the war.
Gander and the Royal Rifles were sent to Hong Kong Island in 1941 where they joined other Commonwealth troops to defend the island against attacks by the Japanese. During the Battle of the Lye Mun, Gander displayed great bravery protecting his "newfound" friends. When the Japanese landed near the Canadian section of the beach, Gander greeted the enemy with threatening barks and attempts at biting their legs. On another occasion as Japanese troops were nearing a group of wounded Canadian soldiers, Gander surprised the enemy by charging them. For some reason, the Japanese were unwilling to shoot the dog. Instead, they changed their route and the lives of the wounded soldiers were saved.
Gander showed his greatest and last act of bravery and loyalty during another Japanese attack. During the battle, an enemy grenade landed near a group of Canadian soldiers. Probably out of concern for his friends, Gander grabbed the grenade in his mouth and carried it to where it would do no harm. Unfortunately, the grenade exploded in Gander's mouth, killing him instantly. He had given his life saving the lives of the Canadian soldiers.
The story of Gander's bravery, once well-known and told many times by residents of his town, was almost forgotten. In a conversation between Mrs. Eileen Elms, who knew the dog as Pal and whose sister had been scratched by the dog, and local historian Mr. Frank Tibbo, Gander's act of bravery was mentioned. Through their efforts, Gander's story was revived and his act of bravery recognized.
Gander, the Newfoundland dog, was posthumously awarded the prestigious Dickin Medal, equivalent to the Victoria Cross given to soldiers of the British Commonwealth for their acts of bravery. Gander was awarded the medal in August, 2000 at a Hong Kong Veterans of Canada reunion in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

FOUND IN THE JUNGLES OF NEW GUINEA IN 1944, SMOKY, a four-pound Yorkie, was bought by Bill Wynne for $6.44 American. He taught her many tricks, and she entertained troops in camps and hospitals from Australia to Korea. It was not long before she became a hero .You can check out the book here: Yorkie Doodle Dandy: Or, the Other Woman Was a Real Dog

Balto (c. 1919 - 14 March 1933) was a Siberian Husky sled dog (although some sources incorrectly state that he is an Alaskan Malamute) who led his team on the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome, in which diphtheria antitoxin was transported from Anchorage, Alaska to Nenana, Alaska by Train and then to Nome by dog sled to combat an outbreak of the disease. The run is commemorated by the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Balto was named after the Sámi explorer Samuel Balto.

For Siberian Husky sled dog items,Click Here

The movie Lassie hasdone more for the the Collie breed than any other single dog.
Although the movie is about a single collie, Lassie, many more than one dog have plaed the part of Lassie, so really there are a large number of "lassies" who have actually acted in the movie. The collie breed has become thought of as courageous, loyal, intelligent, protective and great with kids, all because of the Lassie series of movies. How many of us grew up watching Lassie on television or in the movies, fully convinced that we had to someday own a Collie? What kid doesn't come up to your dogs and say "There's Lassie". Thanks to Lassie the Collie breed is universally known and loved!

Visit the Lassie shop

The following excerpt is taken from: http://www.chelsea-collies.com/lassie.html"

"Lassie Come-Home" written by Eric Knight, was first printed as a short story in 1938. Two years later the book was published in an expanded version of the story. The book which became a popular best seller, paved the way for an overnight sensation! Several perfectly timed events completed the scenario. In 1941 MGM, one of Hollywood's major studios, decided to make a movie out of the popular story. They purchased the movie rights for $10,000--a move considered risky at best, since dog movies weren't necessarily big moneymaker. At about the same time, an errant Collie named "Pal" was giving his owner fits! He couldn't be cured of chasing motorcycles as well as several other bad habits. Mix in a respected Hollywood dog trainer by the name of Rudd Weatherwax, who acquired Pal when his previous owners gave up and a legend was born! The movie titled Lassie Come Home premiered in 1943, starring the infamous "Pal". It was beautifully photographed, in gorgeous Technicolor, and was the story of a loyal Collie who crossed hundreds of miles of rough terrain to return home to the boy she loved. The critics and public loved it! It made the "Ten Best Movie" list at the end of the year. The movie featured two youthful stars, Roddy McDowell and Elizabeth Taylor. It was a huge box office success and the public demanded more. MGM turned this enormous success into a series of movies whose appeal has spanned five decades.

In 1947 the Lassie radio show hit the air waves, followed by the television premier in 1954. Lassie was as big a hit in the infant stages of TV as she was in the movie theaters. The original television show ran for seventeen years, winning Emmys in 1954 and 1955 for "Best Children's TV show." Indeed it wound up one of the longest running programs in television history. Lassie who came to represent traditional American values such as family and home, courage, loyalty and honesty, soon became an American institution, famous the world over! She has reigned supreme since then as the undisputed canine hero.

Because of Lassie's tremendous, enduring popularity, a lot of merchandise has been produced over the years, in an attempt to promote Lassie to the public. Many of these objects have become collector's items and "collecting" has become a nation-wide obsession. The name Lassie evokes warm childhood memories and is especially meaningful to children who grew up in the 1940's on the movies and the children who grew up watching the television show in the 1950's and 1960's. Add to this a whole new generation of Lassie fans thanks to cable television and the recent release of the first Lassie movie in twenty years. Today many of these same children, in an effort to recapture those childhood memories, are now collecting items that were important to them in their youth.

(end quote)