Strongheart

Etzel von Oeringen (October 1, 1917 – June 24, 1929), better known as Strongheart, was a male German Shepherd who became one of the earliest canine film stars. After being trained in Germany as a police dog and serving in the German Red Cross, he was brought to the United States at the age of three by husband and wife filmmakers Laurence Trimble and Jane Murfin, who had previously worked successfully with Jean, the Vitagraph Dog.

Strongheart appeared in several movies, including a 1925 adaptation of White Fang. Some of these were highly successful, and did much to encourage the popularity of the German Shepherd breed. A beloved celebrity in his day, Strongheart paved the way for the much better remembered Rin Tin Tin. Strongheart and his mate, Lady Julie, had many offspring and their line survives to this day.

Death

In 1929, while being filmed for a movie, Strongheart accidentally made contact with a hot studio light and was burned. These burns caused a tumor to form, which ultimately caused his death that year. "God bless you, Strongheart, God bless you," were the words of the dog's eulogist and former trainer, Laurence Trimble.