Real Life DogsSorted by Venue (including starting word "The") |
 Togo The lead dog in the famous 1925 Serum Run to Nome, also known as the "Great Race of Mercy." (More about Togo.) BREED: Siberian Husky YEARS: Dog: 1913-1929. Famed run:1925. |
 Trakr Rescue dog that discovered the last survivor of the 9-11 attacks in New York City in 2001. Later produced five cloned pups. (More about Trakr.) BREED: German Shepherd YEARS: Dog: 1994-2009. |
 Peritas Favorite dog of Alexander the Great who accompanied him during his military exploits. (More about Peritas.) BREED: Unknown YEARS: Dog: 4th century BC |
 Pudsey Ashleigh's dog in the TV team Ashleigh and Pudsey made famous on Britain's Got Talent, 2012. Ashleigh said her other dog, Sully, would take Pudsey's place. BREED: Mixed breed (part Border Collie, Bichon Frise and Chinese Crested Dog) YEARS: Dog: 2005-2017. TV fame: 2012. |
 Gelert The dog of legend associated with the village of Beddgelert in Wales made famous in a poem by William Robert Spencer. (More about Gelert. Image shown is a painting by Richard Ansdell.) BREED: Irish Wolfhound YEARS: Poem: 1800. Dog: 13th Century. |
 Higgins (See also character Benji) Dog actor known mainly for his role as Benji in films and as the uncredited dog who played the character of "Dog" on the television sitcom Petticoat Junction. (More about Higgins.) BREED: Mixed breed YEARS: Dog: 1954-1975. |
 Spitsy Nate's dog in the comic strip Big Nate; about the adventures of a spirited and rebellious sixth-grader along with his best friends; created by Lincoln Peirce. BREED: Generic YEARS: Comic strip: 1991- now. |
 Brownie (The Wonder Dog) Film star dog in silent films such as Brownie's Little Venus. His fame was linked to child star Baby Peggy. BREED: Mixed breed YEARS: Dog: 1919-1924. |
 Spuds Mackenzie (Also known as Honey Tree Evil Eye) In advertisements for Budweiser beer one of the Anheuser-Busch brands played by a dog named Honey Tree Evil Eye. (More about Spuds.) BREED: Bull Terrier YEARS: Ads: 1987-1989. Dog: 1983-1993. |
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 Cameo Appearing in many early films, she was a dog actor in such films as Penrod and Sam; born as Camisole. BREED: Unknown YEARS: Dog: probaby 1922-1934. |
 Snuppy The first cloned dog, born in Korea thanks to researchers led by biomedical scientist Hwang Woo-Suk.... (More about Snuppy) BREED: Afghan Hound YEARS: Dog: 2005-2008. |
 Laika A Russian stray who became the first dog in space and who died within hours after launch. (More about Laika.) BREED: Mixed breed YEARS: Dog: 1954-1957. Flight: 1957. |
 Blair Director Cecil Hepworth'sfirst dog movie star and who played Rover in the movie Rescued by Rover. BREED: Collie YEARS: Dog: 1904-? Movie: 1905. |
 Horand von Grafrath The first German Shepherd; developed in Germany by "Captain" Max von Stephanitz. (More about Horand von Grafrath.) BREED: German Shepherd YEARS: Dog: 1895-1899. |
 Millie (Also known as Mildred Kerr Bush) (See also Barney) Pet dog of First Lady Barbara Bush. (More about Millie.) BREED: English Springer Spaniel YEARS: Dog: 1985-1997. |
 Chinook An historic dog, first of the sled dog breed of that name derived from Husky and Mastiff and developed by Arthur Treadwell Walden. He led Byrd's 1929 Antarctic Expedition. The dog breed is also the official state dog of New Hampshire. BREED: Chinook YEARS: Dog: 1917-1929. |
 Huddersfield Ben The first Yorkshire Terrier who won many prizes as a show dog and in ratting contests. (More about Hudderfield Ben.) BREED: Yorkshire Terrier YEARS: Dog: 1865-1871. |
 Axelrod In advertisments for Flying A Service Station; owned by Tidewater Oil Company. BREED: Basset Hound YEARS: Ads: 1965-1966. |
 Edgar (See also Farley) The second family dog in the comic strip For Better or Worse; about a regular Canadian family; created by Lynn Johnston. Since 2008, the strip continues as reruns. Edgar appears in 1995 after first dog Farley died. BREED: English Sheepdog YEARS: Comic strip: 1979- now. Dog: 1995. |
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 Farley (See also Edgar) The first family dog in the comic strip For Better or Worse; about a regular Canadian family; created by Lynn Johnston. Since 2008, the strip continues as reruns. Edgar appears in 1995 after first dog Farley died. BREED: English Sheepdog YEARS: Comic strip: 1979-1995. Dog: 1979. |
 Willie (formerly Punch; apparently the dog was not named after "William the Conqueror" as suggested in the movie Patton) Companion pet for George S. Patton; the American general, devoted dog lover, acquired a terrier puppy in Europe during World War II. The dog folowed him around everywhere. The character Willie also appeared in the movie Patton. BREED: Bull Terrier YEARS: Dog: 1943-1955. Movie: 1970. |
 Barry The mountain rescue dog who saved 40 lives at the Great St. Bernard Pass. (More about Barry.) BREED: St. Bernard YEARS: Dog: 1800-1814. |
 Cerberus (Also Kerberos) A monstrous multi-headed dog of Greek mythology, often called the "hound of Hades", it guards the gates of the underworld preventing the dead from leaving. (More about Cerberus.) BREED: Unknown YEARS: Dog: ancient. |
 Bobby The loyal dog of John Gray, also known as Greyfriars Bobby, a dog who became famous in 19th-century Edinburgh for supposedly spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he died himself. (See Greyfriars Bobby.) BREED: Skye Terrier YEARS: Dog: 1855-1872. |
 Hachiko (2009 movie  ) (Also known as Hachi)A Japanese dog remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner and in the children's book Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog; written by Pamela S. Turner; and in the movie (2009). (More about Hachiko.) BREED: Akita YEARS: Dog: 1923-1935. Book: 2004. Movies: 1987, 2009. |
 Zorba (Aicama Zorba of La-Susa) Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the heaviest dog in the world at over 343 lbs (155 kg). BREED: English Mastiff YEARS: Dog: 1981-1989. |
 Phiz (aka St. Thomas) Pet of Helen Keller, a blind and deaf American author, political activist, and lecturer (June 27, 1880-June 1, 1968.) Later in life Miss Keller had a French Bull Terrier named Kaiser and an Akita named Kenzan-go, the first in the United States. BREED: Boston Terrier (some say it was a Pit Bull) YEARS: Dog: 1900-1904. |
 Nemo Sentry dog for the 377th Security Police Squadron of the U.S. Air Force and hero war dog in vietnam; injured in December, 1966 while on duty. BREED: German Shepherd YEARS: War bravery: 1966. Dog: 1962-1972. |
 Jason In advertisements for Hush Puppies, a brand of casual shoes by Wolverine Worldwide. BREED: Basset Hound YEARS: Ads: since 1985- now. Dog: 1979-1990. |
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 Fanny, the Wonder Dog The canine sidekick to British comedian Julian Clary. During the late 1980s she performed with Clary in major British theaters including the London Palladium, Hackney Empire and Edinburgh Playhouse. BREED: Whippet mongrel YEARS: Dog: 1980-1999. |
 Gin Kate's dog in the TV team Kate and Gin, made famous on Britain's Got Talent 2008. BREED: Border Collie YEARS: Dog: 2001. TV fame: 2008. |
 Lad (Real-life dog ) The author's dog in the movie Lad: A Dog; starring Peter Breck; based on a series of short stories by Albert Terhune about his real-life Rough Collie. BREED: Rough Collie YEARS: Dog: 1902-1918. Book: 1919. Movie: 1962. |
 Lampo (Statue ) Elvio's dog in life and in the book Lampo, the Traveling Dog. The dog rode trains by himself to various parts of Italy and always returned. Station workers everywhere would tie rail ticket stubs to his collar showing where he'd been. His statue is at Campiglia Marittima Station. BREED: Mixed breed YEARS: Dog: 1953-1961. Book: 1963. |
 Pal Dog actor in many films such as the Lassie Come Home and in the television series Lassie with actor Tommy Retig. (More about Pal.) BREED: Collie Rough YEARS: Dog: 1940-1958. |
 Seaman (Also known as Dog of Discovery) The dog that accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition across America at the beginning of the 19th century. (Picture by Anne Mainman.) BREED: Newfoundland YEARS: Dog: perhaps 1804-1806. |
 Marley (Children's book ) The Grogan family dog in the movie and the book Marley and Me; about a man and and his family's life during the thirteen years that they lived with their dog; written by John Grogan. Also, a series of illustrated children books, the first of which was Marley's Big Adventure. BREED: Labrador Retriever YEARS: Book: 2005. Movie: 2008. Children's book: 2009. Dog: 1991-2003. |
 Hank Unofficial mascot of the Milwaukee Brewers major league baseball team beginning in 2014. (More about Hank.) BREED: Mixed breed (perhaps part Bichon Frise) YEARS: Dog: 2014- now |
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 Spike Rescued from a shelter by animal trainer Frank Weatherwax, the dog actor played many roles including Old Yeller; A Dog of Flanders and as Brown in the television series The Westerner. (More about Spike.) BREED: Labrador Retriever and Mastiff mix YEARS: Dog: probably 1954-?. |
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 Bobi The world's oldest dog (until his death) according to Guinness World Records, born May 11, 1992. (More about Bobi.) BREED: Rafeiro do Alentejo (Translated from Portuguese as "mongrel of the Alentejo region".) YEARS: Dog: 1992-2023. |
 Wheely Willy The paraplegic chihuahua on wheelsfrom Long Beach California who became a celebrity as the subject of two bestselling children's books How Willy Got His Wheels. (More about Wheely Willy.) BREED: Chihuahua YEARS: Dog: 1991-2009. Book: 1998. |
 Fido Pet dog of President Abraham Lincoln. The dog was assasinated by a drunk shortly after the death of Lincoln. The president also had a dog named Jip. (More about Fido) BREED: Unknown YEARS: Dog: 1855-1864. |
 Bo (Another ) Pet dog of President Barack Obama's family. Companion Portuguese Water Dog Sunny joined family August, 2013.) BREED: Portuguese Water Dog YEARS: Dog: 2009-2021. |
 Dash Pet of President Benjamin Harrison; the president had a fancy dog house built next to the White House for Dash. BREED: Collie mixed breed YEARS: Dog: 1889-1893. |
 Major and Champ Pet dogs of President Biden's family, Major being adopted from a shelter, while Champ had been in the White House before when Biden was vice-president. BREED: German Shepherd YEARS: Major: 2018. Champ: 2008-2021. |
 Buddy Pet dog of President Bill Clinton, died after being hit by a car. Clinton's next dog was Seamus, pronounced "shay-muss" the Gaelic form of James. (More about Buddy.) BREED: Labrador Retriever YEARS: Dog: 1997-2002. |
 Rob Roy Pet of President Calvin Coolidge. Also the President had Collie Prudence Prim, Wirehair Fox Terrier Peter Pan and 8 othere dogs. BREED: Collie White YEARS: Dog: 1923-1929. |
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 Fala Pet dog of President Franklin Roosevelt. The president also had dogs German Shepherd Major, Scottish Terrier Meggie, Llewellyn Setter Winks, English Sheepdog Tiny, Great Dane President and Bullmastiff Blaze. (More about Fala.) BREED: Scottish Terrier YEARS: Dog: 1940-1952. |
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 Barney (See also Millie) Pet dog of President George W. Bush. Also the president had English Springer Spaniels Spot Fetcher and Scottish Terrier Miss Beazley.(More about Barney.) BREED: Scottish Terrier YEARS: Dog: 2000-2013. |
 Liberty Pet dog of President Gerald R. Ford, given to the president as an 8-month-old puppy by his daughter Susan Ford and new White House photographer David Hume Kennerly. Also there was dogs Lucky and Misty. (More about Liberty.) BREED: Golden Retriever YEARS: Dog: 1974-1984. |
 Feller Pet dog of President Harry S Truman. Since no one in the White House wanted the puppy Truman decided to give him to the White House physician. There was also Irish Setter Mike. BREED: Cocker Spaniel English YEARS: Dog: 1947-1961. |
 King Tut Pet of President Herbert Hoover. While King Tut was Hoover's favorite dog, there were Fox Terriers Big Ben and Sonnie, Scotch Collie Glen), Malamut Yukon, Setter Eaglehurst Gillette, Irish Wolfhound Patrick, German Shepherd Pat, and Elkhound Weejie. BREED: Belgian Shepherd YEARS: Dog: 1929. |
 Caruso Pet of President Howard Taft, reportedly a small, white dog who was gifted to Helen by famed opera singer Enrico Caruso. BREED: Mixed breed YEARS: Dog: 1909-1913. |
 Grits Pet dog of President Jimmy Carter's daughter Amy, a gift from her teacher. The dog was given back shortly afterwards. Also there was Afghan Hound Lewis Brown. BREED: Mixed breed YEARS: Dog: 1978-1980. |
 Pushinka Pet of President John F. Kennedy, a gift to daughter Caroline as a sign of friendship and a peace offering from Soviet Premier Khrushchev. The dog was the puppy of a Russian space dog Strelka and she and Kennedy's other dog Charlie had four pups together. Also there were six other dogs. BREED: Mixed breed YEARS: Dog: 1961-1963. |
 Him and Her Pet dogs of President Lyndon Johnson. Her died at the White House in November 1964 after she swallowed a stone. Him died in June 1966 when he was hit by a car while chasing a squirrel. Also the president had Collie Blanco, Beagles Edgar and Freckles, and mongerl Yuki. BREED: Beagles YEARS: Dog: 1963-1966. |
 Checkers Pet dog of President Richard Nixon, famous because of the Checker's speech. Also the president had dogs Irish setter King Timahoe, Terrier Pasha and Poodle Vicki. BREED: Cocker Spaniel YEARS: Dog: 1952-1964. |
 Rex Pet of President Ronald Reagan. The president also had an older dog a Bouvier des Flandres named Lucky had grown too large and had to be moved to Reagan's Rancho del Cielo estate in California; Golden Retriever Victory, Irish Setter Peggy, Siberian Husky Taca, and Belgian Sheepdog Fuzzy. BREED: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel YEARS: Dog: 1984-1998. |
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 Pete Pet dog of President Theodore Roosevelt who ripped off the French ambassador’s pants. Also the president had a Chesapeake Retriever named Sailor Boy, a Manchester Terrier Black Jack (Jack), a mongrel Skip, and a Pekingese Manchu. BREED: Bull Terrier YEARS: Dog: 1907. |
 Laddie Boy Pet of President Warren G. Harding. (More about Laddie Boy). Also in the White House was a Bulldog Old Boy BREED: Airedale Terrier YEARS: Dog: 1920-1929. |
 Bruce Pet of President Woodrow Wilson. The president also had an Airedale Davie and Geyhound Mountain Boy. BREED: Bull Terrier YEARS: Dog: 1918. |
 Seamus Pet owned by Presidential candidate in 2012, Mitt Romney, known for the 1983 family vacation where Romney transported Seamus on the roof of an automobile for twelve hours. BREED: Irish Setter YEARS: Dog on car incident:1983. |
 Red Dog (Originally named Tally Ho) The dog who unites the people of Dampier, Western Australia, in the movie Red Dog; based on the book Red Dog written by Louis de Bernières which was based upon a real life dog called Red Dog. BREED: Kelpie-Cattle Dog mix YEARS: Dog: 1971-1979. Book: 1993. Movie: 2011. |
 Jim the Wonder Dog (Statue ) A dog alleged to have a variety of remarkable abilities, among them, he seemed to have the ability to guess the sex of an unborn baby. A memorial park in his name is in Marshal, Missouri. BREED: Llewellin Setter YEARS: Dog: 1925-1937. |
 Chalky Pet of popular English chef Rick Stein who often appeared on television with his dog. (More about Chalky.) BREED: Jack Russell Terrier YEARS: Dog: 1989-2007. |
 Just Nuisance (Statue ) Only dog to be enlisted in the Royal Navy, serving at HMS Afrikander, a Royal Navy shore establishment in Simon's Town, South Africa where a statue honors him. BREED: Great Dane YEARS: Dog: 1937-1944. |
 Flame Dog actor in the series of 1940s movies about Rusty, gaining fame in the 1946 movie My Dog Shep and father of Golden Boy Jr. who played Rin Tin Tin II. BREED: German Shepherd YEARS: Dog: 1940s. |
 Balto The dog who led a team on the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome. A statue of Balto sculpted by Frederick Roth was erected in NYC's Central Park on Dec. 17 1925. (More about Balto.) BREED: Siberian Husky YEARS: Dog: 1919-1933. |
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 Endal Famous English service dog who helped people with mental disabilities including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and severe depression; and in the book Endal by Allen and Sandra Parton. (More about Endal.) BREED: Labrador Retriever YEARS: Dog: 1995. Book: 2009. |
 Stubby (Real dog ) Robert Conroy's companion in the animated movie Sgt._Stubby:_An_American_Hero; about a stray dog who becomes a hero of the World War I; based on the real life of a dog named Stubby, the 1st dog promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the US Army and most decorated in American history. (More about Stubby.) BREED: Bull Terrier YEARS: Dog: 1917-1926. Movie: 2018. |
 Dolce Sinfonia In advertising and a Show dog champion, a model used by some dog fashion companies and advertising for Eukanuba dog food. BREED: Yorkshire Terrier YEARS: Dog: 2002. |
 Jo-Fi Pet of Sigmund Freud to whom he was greatly attached as the dog frequently stayed in his office during psychoanalytic sessions. BREED: Chow Chow YEARS: Dog: 1926-1937. |
 Bob the Railway Dog A dog in the folklore of South Australian Railways in the later part of the 19th century and was known widely to railwaymen of the day. (More about Bob.) BREED: Collie mix YEARS: Dog: 1881-1895. |
 Kleberg Dog in the painting Study of Kleberg, by Jamie Wyeth. The Wyeth dog was named by Mrs. Wyeth after her friend Robert Kleberg breeder of Yellow Labs. BREED: Labrador Retriever YEARS: Portrait of the dog: 1984. |
 Ricochet One of the original Surfing Dogs that started the dog surfing circuit. She also helps people with disabilities through surfing and community outreach; raised and trained by Judy Fridono. Also Ricochet has been the subject of several books and media appearances. BREED: Golden Retriever YEARS: Dog: 2008-?. Book: 2014. |
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 Ace the Wonder Dog Dog actor in the movie The Adventures of Rusty and many others from 1938-1946 including the 1943 serial The Phantom. (More about Ace.) BREED: German Shepherd YEARS: Dog: 1937-1947. Movies: 1938-1946. |
 Nipper In advertisements for The Gramophone Company, then RCA. (More about Nipper.) BREED: Terrier mix YEARS: Dog: 1884-1895. Ads: early 1900-1977. |
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 Pickles Hero in finding the soccer World Cup trophy and a character in the British movie The Spy with a Cold Nose; about a dog is fitted with a covert listening device then passed between agents of the Russian and British intelligence branches; starring Laurence Harvey. (More about Pickles fame.) BREED: White Collie YEARS: Movie: 1966. Dog: 1962-1067. |
 Bobbie The Wonder Dog The dog famous for traveling 2800 milesfrom Indiana to Oreon to return to his owners. (More about Bobbie.) BREED: Scotch Collie #NAME? YEARS: Dog: 1921-1927. Ordeal: 1923. |
 Faith The dog with only two legs. She was born with three, but one had to be amputated. She received much publicity including a book detailing her story entitled With a Little Faith. BREED: Mixed breed YEARS: Dog: 2002-2014. |
 Sinbad The mascot of the U.S. Coast Guard and in the book written by George F. Foley Jr. Sinbad of the Coast Guard. (More about Sinbad.) BREED: Mixed breed YEARS: Dog: 1937-1951. Book: 1945 |
 Owney In advertisements for the U.S. Postal Office. (More about Owney.) BREED: Mixed breed terrier YEARS: Dog: 1888-1897. |
 Jean (The Vitagraph Dog) Dog actor known as the Vitagraph Dog that performed title roles in early silent films. The Vitagraph Studios was the most prolific American film production company in 1907. BREED: Border Collie YEARS: Dog: 1905-1916. |
 Sensation (Another ) Representative dog image for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. A dog named Don which had won bench championships in England in 1875 and 1876, became the symbolic image for the Kennel Club because of the 1935 steel engraving of “Sensation” by artist J. Wellstood. From 1980-1982, a head study of the dog gained popularity. (More about Sensation.) BREED: Pointer YEARS: Dog: 1870s. In Kennel catalog: 1936- now. |
 Strongheart (Born as Etzel von Oeringen) Dog actor in the movies such as White Fang in 1925. (More about Strongheart.) BREED: German Shepherd YEARS: Dog: 1917-1929. Movies: 1921-1927. |
 Fay Ray (See also Man Ray) The second dog model in the famous photos of photographer William Wegman, named after the film actress who starred in the original film King Kong. BREED: Weimaraner YEARS: Dog: 1985-1995. Photo: 2011. |
 Man Ray (See also Fay Ray) The first dog model in the famous photos of photographer William Wegman, named after the American artist born Emmanuel Radnitzky. BREED: Weimaraner YEARS: Dog: 1970- 1982. |
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 Rags Dog serving with the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I who became the mascot of the U.S. 1st Infantry Division BREED: Mixed terrier YEARS: Dog: 1916-1936. |
 Rin Tin Tin A frightened pup found by an American soldier in France during World War I and ended up in Los Angeles where he starred in silent films and became a famous dog actor. He was named for a French child's toy. (More about Rin Tin Tin.) BREED: German Shepherd YEARS: Dog: 1918-1932. |
 Bamse The heroic mascot during World War II of the Free Norwegian Forces. (More about Bamse.) BREED: St. Bernard YEARS: Dog: 1937-1944. |
 Chips The most decorated war dog of World War II. Also in the movie Chips the War Dog. BREED: German Shepherd mix with Collie and Husky YEARS: Dog: 1940-1946. |
 Gander (Originally called Pal) A dog with the Royal Rifles a regiment of the Canadian Army during World War II who was killed saving the lives of several wounded Canadian soldiers in 1941. (More about Gander.) BREED: Newfoundland YEARS: Dog: 1940-1941. |
 Horrie (The Wog-Dog) Mascot of the Second Australian Imperial Force in World War II acting as a guard dog and giving early warning of enemy aircraft. (More about Horrie.) BREED: Terrier mix YEARS: Dog: 1941-1942. |
 Judy Mascot of the Royal Navy in World War II, only dog to be taken as a prisoner of war by the Japanese.... (More about Judy) BREED: Pointer YEARS: Dog: 1937-1950 |
 Smoky Dog who served as a in World War II in the South Pacific with the Air Force and flew 12 rescue and photo reconnaissance missions. (More about Smoky.) BREED: Yorkshire Terrier YEARS: Dog: 1943-1957. |
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The number of Real Life Dogs is 97 The contents of this page are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license and the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL). Also see: Dogs in Comics, Dogs in Movies, Dogs in Books, Dogs On TV, Complete List |
First Venue on each page
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| 1. | 1925 Serum Run to Nome (Togo) |
| 2. | dog actor (Cameo) |
| 3. | For Better or Worse (Farley) |
| 4. | Julian Clary (Fanny, the Wonder Dog) |
| 5. | oldest dog (Bobi) |
| 6. | President George W. Bush (Barney) |
| 7. | President Theodore Roosevelt (Pete) |
| 8. | service dog (Endal) |
| 9. | The Spy with a Cold Nose (Pickles) |
| 10. | World War I (Rags) |
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