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Rin Tin Tin (often billed as Rin-Tin-Tin in the 1920s and 1930s) was the name given to several related German Shepherd dogs in film and television.

The first of the line (c. September 10, 1918 – August 10, 1932) was a shell-shocked pup found by American serviceman Lee Duncan in a bombed-out dog kennel in Lorraine, France, less than two months before the end of World War I. He was named for a puppet called Rintintin that French children gave to the American soldiers for good luck. The dog returned at war's end with Duncan to his home in Los Angeles, California.

Nicknamed Rinty by his owner, the dog learned tricks and could leap 11 feet 9 inches. He was seen performing at a dog show by film producer Charles Jones, who paid Duncan to film Rinty. Duncan became convinced Rin Tin Tin could become the next Strongheart. The dog's big break came when he stepped in for a recalcitrant wolf in The Man From Hell's River (1922). Rin Tin Tin would be cast as a wolf or wolf-hybrid many times in his career, though not looking like one. His first starring role, 1923's Where The North Begins, playing alongside silent screen actress Claire Adams, was a huge success often credited with saving Warner Brothers from bankruptcy. It was followed by Shadows of the North (1923), Clash of the Wolves (1925), A Dog of the Regiment (1927), Tiger Rose (1929) and The Lightning Warrior (1931). His financial success for Warner Brothers inspired several imitations from other studios looking to cash in on Rin Tin Tin's popularity, notably RKO's Ace the Wonder Dog, also a German Shepherd.

Between 1930 and 1955, Rin Tin Tin was heard in three different radio series, beginning April 5, 1930 with The Wonder Dog, in which Rin Tin Tin did his own sound effects until his death in 1932 when Rin Tin Tin, Jr. took over. This 15-minute program was broadcast Saturdays on the Blue Network at 8:15 p.m. until March 1931 when it moved to Thursdays at 8:15 p.m. In September 1930, the title changed from The Wonder Dog to Rin Tin Tin. Don Ameche and Junior McLain starred in the series, which ended June 8, 1933. With Ken-L-Ration as a sponsor, the series continued on CBS from October 5, 1933 until May 20, 1934, airing Sundays at 7:45 p.m.

The final radio series was broadcast on Mutual from January 2, 1955 to December 25, 1955 a 30-minute program heard Sundays at 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by National Biscuit for Shredded Wheat and Milk Bone, the series featured Rin Tin Tin's adventures with the 101st Cavalry. The show starred Lee Aker as Rusty, James Brown at Lt. Rip Masters and Joe Sawyer as Sgt. Biff O'Hara.

Following Rin Tin Tin's death in 1932 in Los Angeles (in the arms of actress Jean Harlow according to Hollywood legend). his owner arranged to have the dog returned to his country of birth for burial in the Cimetière des Chiens, the renowned pet cemetery in the Parisian suburb of Asnières-sur-Seine. Rin Tin Tin was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1623 Vine St.

Though Rin Tin Tin's abilities were well received, contemporary dog actors are viewed as superior, delivering far more believable performances due to advances in dog training techniques.

COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA