The life of Rin Tin Tin was remarkable from the very beginning. From his birth in a distinguished German Shepherd bloodline in 1918, to his life as a top motion picture starin America, audiences everywhere loved Rin Tin Tin. The original Rin Tin Tin died in 1932 but his bloodline continues today as one of the oldest existing bloodlines.

It was World War I and the city of Lorraine had been bombed. Foraging through the rubble, Corporal Lee Duncan found a mother German shepherd and her five-day- old puppies. Duncan selected two dogs for himself and the other three were taken back to camp. Duncan trained his dogs enlisting the help of skilled dog handlers and he investigated their bloodline. Their parents were Betty des Flandres and Fritz de la Chasse royale.

After the war, Duncan took his dogs, which he had named after French puppets, Rin Tin Tin and Nenette, home to the US. However, Nenette who became ill on the 15-day ocean voyage died shortly after reaching New York.

Upon return to the US, Rin Tin Tin and Duncan made their home in Los Angeles where the dog performed impressively in dog shows. Duncan believed Rin Tin Tin was an exceptional dog and went about trying to find a job with filmmakers. Turned down many times, Duncan finally found a small studio that accepted the dog after allowing him to perform in a difficult scene. His first film in 1922 was a western titled, Man From Hell's River.

The following year Rinty, as Rin Tin Tin was known, signed on with Warner Brothers Studio. It was later said that Rin Tin Tin saved Warner Brothers Studios from failure. During his lifetime, Rin Tin Tin made numerous films for Warner Brothers and received in excess of 10,000 fan fan letters each week. He had a long and successful career in films exhibiting discipline and talent for dramatic scenes.

When he died, Rin Tin Tin junior replaced him as the beloved canine film hero.

The Rin Tin Tin bloodline wasn't all about celebrity and films however Rin Tin Tin III helped in the next war effort with help in training 5,000 dogs and handlers for World War II. Duncan continued to train the dogs and develop the bloodline through strict breeding rules. The dogs were developed for intelligence and structure.

In 1954, Rin Tin Tin II and IV starred in the television series, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. The popular series ran until 1959. Since the TV series ended, Rin Tin Tin has been forgotten by most but is fondly remembered by seniors who watched and loved the Rin Tin Tin heroic TV series. He was beauty and grace in action.

When Duncan learned he had bone cancer, he made arrangements with Jannettia Brodsgaard Propps to continue the Rin Tin Tin bloodline. She had acquired a pup from Rinty IV in 1957 and became the only person chosen to develop the bloodlines from her Bodyguard Kennels. When Propps died in 1988, her granddaughter Daphne Hereford who shared the work continued to develop the bloodline, as she does to this day.

Rin Tin Tin was one of the most famous dogs in films and his bloodline continues to this day. German Shepherds are famous for their service, work ethic, beauty, and intelligence. Rin Tin Tin, and his descendants embody the finest qualities for which German Shepherds have come to be known.

Learn more about this author, Mona Gallagher.
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