Top Five Real-Life Rin Tin Tins

In 1918, a Corporal in the Army Air Service named Lee Duncan came upon a damaged kennel in France that had been used to supply German Shepherds. Inside was a mother dog and her litter of week-old puppies. Duncan rescued them, keeping two for himself — a boy and girl — named Nanette and Rin Tin Tin. They were cared for by a woman who trained police dogs in New York before Duncan returned to Los Angeles, where Rin Tin Tin (and his progeny) later began to star in dozens of popular films, promoting the breed not only as a popular pet, but also an important law enforcement and military companion.

Here are five canine heroes you need to know:

1. Maxx

Retired dog won’t quit

When police dog, Maxx, finally hung up his collar, he thought he would live out his days lounging around the backyard and receiving belly scratches. Instead Maxx helped his family survive a house fire. Knowing family members were still trapped inside the house, Maxx led firefighters to each of the family members. Because of his brave actions, the two children were saved.

2. Nicky

Fallen hero

Nicky had just returned back to duty after being knifed. While out on medical leave, Nicky could not wait to get back on the job. The six-year veteran fell from friendly fire after his handler confronted a suspected murderer.

During his time on the force, Nicky apprehended 99 suspects and was posthumously awarded the K-9 Purple Heart and Medal of Honor.

3. Max

Explosive Dog

Many of the police dogs are able to retire to comfortable farms. Max is one of those dogs. He retired to a farm after a storied career. He detected 8kg of RDX outside of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and 25 grenades inside the hotel during the Mumbai attacks. He also found explosives in the 2011 Zaveri Bazaar blasts.

4. Maverick

Saves boy with Autism

Maverick was called in to help when an eight-year-old boy with Autism went missing one night in Oregon. After only twenty minutes in dense forest, Maverick rescued the boy. After becoming stranded in a swift, freezing-cold creek, the boy was on the verge of being swept under or becoming hyperthermic. Thanks to Maverick’s quick nose, the boy was returned home with no injuries!

5.Lucas

Saves his partner

Deputy Todd Frazier left his car to inspect a car. At that point two other people came out of the woods, grabbed the deputy, and began beating him. One of the suspects told the deputy that they were going to kill him. Somehow the Deputy managed to activate the button that opens the door to his vehicle and released his dog, Lucas. Lucas then attacked the three individuals and saved his partner’s life.

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Do you have any stories about other four-legged heroes? We would love to hear about them in the comments!

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