
A new “SuperDogs Live” event launches on 17 – 18 May in Earls Court One, London. Selected dogs from all over the UK will get their chance to shine in one of three categories: Strictly Doggy Dancing, Most Talented Dog or Heroic Hound. TV Presenter Ben Fogle has been leading the search to find the UK’s most entertaining, talented or heroic dog to be featured in the show which is supported by the RSPCA.
We all think our dog’s the best. Dog shows and talent contests are not a new phenomena. The first ever UK dog show was held in Newcastle in 1859. There are over 530 regional or local dog shows this year alone. In the spirit of Super Dogs we’re taking a look at some of our all-time favourite entertaining, talented and heroic dogs in history.
Entertaining
Who can forget the iconic His Master’s Voice dog, Nipper, born in Bristol in 1884, a true mutt – part bull terrier with a trace of fox terrier. His oil painting by Francis Barraud in 1898 became synonymous with HMV’s brand which has lasted 115 years.
From Scraps the dog in Charlie Chaplin’s “A Dog’s Life” in 1918, German Shepherd “Ace the Wonder Dog” who starred in 16 films from 1938 to 1946, and Lassie, one of the longest running TV series from 1954 to 1973 to Marley and Me filmed in 2008 as an adaptation of John Grogan’s bestselling memoir about an incorrigible Labrador Retriever – dogs have inspired and entertained us in films, on TV and in literature.
In 2012 17 year-old Ashleigh and her dog Pudsey made history by becoming the first ever dog trick act to win Britain’s Got Talent. In case you missed it, here’s their winning routine.
Talented
There’s “Jumpy” an amazing cattle dog whose training antics went viral, “Betsy” who knows over 340 words and Doberman Pinscher “Donnie” who was featured on the National Geographic Channel “Dog Genius” show because he can arrange his toys in geometric forms. “Scout” can stack anything on his head and exhibits extreme patience with his owner and resistance to food stuffs. And then there’s “Ozzbert Humpledink” who can walk a tightrope!
Heroic
The German Shepherd-Collie-Siberian Husky “Chips” was the most decorated war dog in World War II, but throughout history dogs have been saving lives and averting hidden dangers to protect their owners. Take American 7 year-old Golden Retriever “Brutis” he took a near-deadly bite from a coral snake in 2004 whilst trying to protect a young child. He was awarded the National Hero Dog Award for his bravery.
Dogs have saved a lot of babies over the years, German Shepherd “Jade” from Birmingham, England saved an abandoned baby in a park; a free-ranging dog “La China” in Buenos Aires found an abandoned baby and carried her to sit with her litter of puppies; “Mkombozi” a stray in Nairobi also found an abandoned baby and collected her, returning her to her litter of puppies and two-year old male Thai Bangkaew Dog “Pui” found a baby in a plastic bag on a roadside dump in Ayutthaya, Thailand and carried the newborn baby girl to safety. And Sigmund Freud’s dog “Jo-Fi” a Chow Chow helped keep patients calm in Freud’s therapy sessions.
Claim to Fame
We’re all a bit biased when it comes to our dog. If you think you’ve got a Super Dog free to find us on Facebook and tell us all about him or her!
For more information on the SuperDogs Live event click here.