German Shepherds On The Big Screen – Strongheart
German Shepherd - Strongheart
One of the first canine film stars was a German Shepherd named Etzel von Oeringen, better known as Strongheart. Initially trained in Germany as a police dog he was taken to the United States by a husband and wife film making team.
Since Strongheart was previously trained as a police dog he had to undergo socialisation and re-trained so make him more adaptable to his new career. It is said though that he never forgot his original training and often suddenly pursue a passerbye who later were found to have a not so innocent pastime.
Strongheart truly became a star and as such was awarded celebrity treatment, was met with adoring fans where-ever he went and had a dog food named after him (that dog food ‘Strongheart Dog Food’ is still being produced today) as well as two books written about him “Letters to Strongheart” and “Kinship with All Life.”
Strongheart’s filmography includes:
• The Silent Call (1921)
• Brawn of the North (1922)
• The Love Master (1924)
• White Fang (1925)
• The Return of Boston Blackie (1927); thought to be the only Strongheart movie still in existence
Strongheart and his mate, Lady Jule, had many offspring and their line survives to this day. Strongheart’s grandson “Lightning” was a canine movie star in the the 1930′s, appearing in “A Dog of Flanders,” “Wings in the Dark,” and “When Lightning Strikes.” Another grandson, “Silver King,” also appeared in the movies and made personal appearances as part of a safety program for children.
