Dogs have long been known to be among the oldest domesticated animals, being by humanity’s side since prehistoric times.
Once in a while, a dog becomes famous in their own right – think Hachiko from Japan or Balto in the U.S.
So were there any famous dogs in European history?
You bet there are – plenty, as it turns out!
Keep reading to learn about these extraordinary canines and their remarkable stories.
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History of Dogs in Europe
Recent research points to evidence that the domestication of dogs may have occurred in Europe some 15,000 or more years ago. Dogs were found in ancient graves buried alongside humans, and canine images appear in prehistoric cave art. (It was also thanks to a dog that Lascaux, the most famous ancient cave art, was discovered.)
Dogs lived and worked side by side with humans throughout the millennia, helping us hunt, herd livestock, guard us and our property, go to war, cook (in medieval times dogs were used to turn the spit), rescue us, entertain us, and just be our loyal companions.
Evidence of the close relationship between humans and dogs can be found on Greek vases, Roman mosaics, medieval tapestries, oil paintings, statues, and photographs.
Some of Europe’s most famous figures were dog lovers:
- Alexander the Great had Peritas, who accompanied him on his conquests
- Robert the Bruce had Donnchadh, who, after leading the English forces to Robert’s hiding place, turned and attacked the pursuing soldiers
- Prince Rupert had Boye, who was trained to pee whenever he heard the name of the enemy commander
- Queen Elizabeth II was known for her devotion to corgis and had several throughout her long life
But no matter how dogs were used, or how many breeds came into existence, one thing remained constant – our love for each other.
So without further ado, here are some of the most remarkable dogs in Europe’s history!
1. Greyfriars Bobby
Known for: Faithfully staying by his Master’s grave for 14 years
Country: UK (Scotland)
Breed: Skye Terrier or Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Lived: 1855 – 1872
Perhaps Europe’s most famous dog, Bobby stayed by the grave of his former owner at Greyfriars Kirkyard for 14 years.
Rumor has it that the real story is not quite as heartwarming. One theory is that a couple of businessmen fed the dog, then concocted the story to go viral, 1800s-style. Another is that stray dogs would hang around the graveyard and were fed by visitors, with Bobby being singled out in a news story from the era, making him famous.
Whatever the truth, Bobby’s story of faithfulness has become legendary. In the years since his death, he’s been the subject of one novel and two movies (including one starring Christopher Lee).
Where you can see Bobby today: Bobby’s statue is a landmark of Edinburgh, located at the corner of Candlemakers Row and George IV Bridge. Touching his nose is said to bring good luck (which if you’re short, may involve standing on your tiptoes like I had to). You can also see his collar at the Museum of Edinburgh.
Want to see some of Edinburgh’s other famous animals? Check out my article here!
2. Nipper
Known for: His Master’s Voice, one of the world’s most famous trademarks
Country: UK (England)
Breed: Terrier mix
Lived: 1884 – 1895
Nipper lived a quiet life in England. After his original owner died, he was taken in by one of his former owner’s brothers, Francis Barraud.
Three years after Nipper’s own death in 1895, Francis painted a picture of Nipper listening to a phonograph. The phonograph was later modified to depict a gramophone, was sold to a gramophone company, and subsequently became one of the best-known trademarks in history.
Where you can see Nipper today: Nipper is buried in Kingston Upon Thames, London. Although his burial place is now a parking lot, the nearby Nipper Alley is named for him and a blue plaque commemorating him can be found in Piccadilly.
3. Barry
Known for: Rescuing humans in the Alps
Country: Switzerland
Breed: forerunner of the modern St. Bernard
Lived: 1800 – 1814
Barry’s story begins long before he ever wandered his high, snowy mountain home.
For many centuries, a community of monks lived at a hospice in the Great St. Bernard Pass in the Alps, aiding travelers attempting the dangerous crossing.
Around the 16th or 17th century, the monks acquired large working dogs – the forerunner of the modern St. Bernard – whose wide bodies carved a path in the snow and whose keen sense of smell were able to detect and often save people who were buried by avalanches.
The system was rather ingenious. When an avalanche occurred, the monk would send out teams of 2 or 3 dogs to scour the mountains. Upon detecting a human scent, the dogs would dig the victim out. One would then stay by the person’s side, providing much-needed, life-saving warmth, while the others returned to the monks for additional help.
The most famous of these remarkable dogs was Barry, known as “Barry der Menschenretter” or “Barry the Man-Saver.” During his time on the mountain, he was credited with saving 40 lives, including that of a young boy who had fallen asleep in an ice cave.
Where you can see Barry today: His body is preserved at the Natural History Museum, Bern, Switzerland.
4. Pavlov’s dogs
Known for: Their contributions to psychology
Country: Russia
Breed: Various
Lived: late 1800s
Ivan Pavlov was a physiologist conducting research related to the digestive system when he noticed something strange – his dogs would begin salivating at the sight of his assistants, who provided the dogs with food.
Instead of thinking the dogs were looking at the assistants as food, Pavlov, being the scientist he was, wanted to find out the cause of his dogs’ salivation. So, he decided to conduct an experiment. He sounded a bell – and the dogs didn’t react.
Pavlov then decided to ring the bell, and immediately give the dogs food. The dogs then began salivating at the sound of the bell, even without the food being given: the dogs had begun to associate the sound of the bell with food.
This phenomenon, when a neutral stimulus (such as the bell) is paired with a physiological stimulus (such as food) to produce a response, is known in psychology as classical conditioning.
Pavlov and his dogs had, inadvertently, provided the basis of behavioral psychology.
Thanks in part to this discovery, Pavlov (but not his dogs) won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1904.
Where you can see Pavlov’s dogs today: One of the dogs is preserved in the Pavlov Museum, Ryazan, Russia, with its cannula, the instrument used to measure its saliva, still attached.
5. Caesar
Known for: being owned by King Edward VII
Country: UK
Breed: Wire Fox Terrier
Lived: 1898 – 1914
Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t the only British monarch who was a keen dog lover. Her great-grandfather, Edward VII, had Caesar, whose collar read: “I am Caesar. I belong to the King.”
After the king’s death in 1910, Caesar captured the world’s imagination by taking part in Edward’s funeral procession, where he was given a place of honor directly behind his master’s coffin – and ahead of the other monarchs in attendance, much to the consternation of German emperor Wilhelm II.
Where you can see Caesar today: Caesar is buried at Marlborough House, but he is also immortalized in the tomb effigy of Edward VII at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, where he lies at Edward’s feet.
6. Sergeant Stubby
Known for: Most decorated war dog of WWI and the only dog promoted to sergeant through combat
Country: USA
Breed: Terrier
Lived: 1916 – 1926
Ok, ok. So Sergeant Stubby is an American dog. But he achieved his most famous accomplishments in Europe during the First World War and therefore deserves a place on this list.
Stubby got his start in the U.S. army by hanging around a group of soldiers in training. When the soldiers were shipped out to France, Stubby was smuggled aboard. Eventually discovered by the commanding officer, he was allowed to stay after performing a salute.
Stubby took part in 17 battles, including the Battle of Marne and the Battle of Chateau-Thierry. His superior sense of smell and hearing allowed him to warn his fellow soldiers of impending gas and artillery attacks. He also provided some much-needed moral support to the troops.
Once, Stubby even caught a German spy, and held him in place by his pants until the other soldiers arrived.
Eventually, Stubby was promoted to the rank of Sergeant – the only dog to be promoted to this rank through combat – and became the most decorated war dog in history.
Sergeant Stubby’s life has inspired a kids’ movie and there’s even a full-length biography of him.
Where you can see Sergeant Stubby today: Sergeant Stubby isn’t at Arlington National Cemetery, where many American veterans are buried. Instead, you can find him preserved at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
7. Bamse
Known for: Mascot of the Free Norwegian Forces during WWII
Country: Norway
Breed: St. Bernard
Lived: 1937 – 1944
Bamse was an official crew member of the Norwegian vessel HMS Thorodd. The ship, with Bamse in tow, escaped Norway during WWII as the country fell to the Germans.
Finding refuge in Britain, Bamse kept up the moral of his fellow Norwegians. The iconic photo of him wearing a Royal Norwegian Navy sailor’s cap cemented him as the symbol of Norway’s Free Forces.
Bamse also received medals for saving the lives of two men – the Norges Hundeorden and the PDSA Gold Medal. On one occasion, Bamse saved a man from a knife attack. On another, he jumped into the water to save a sailor who had fallen overboard and couldn’t swim.
Bamse died in Scotland in 1944. His life was later immortalized in a best-selling book.
Where you can see Bamse today: Bamse’s grave and statue can be found in Montrose Harbour, Scotland. A duplicate statue can be found in Honningsvåg, Norway, Bamse’s hometown.
8. Swansea Jack
Known for: Rescuing 27 people from the docks and riverbanks of Wales
Country: UK (Wales)
Breed: Retriever
Lived: 1930 – 1937
Jack’s first rescue was a 12-year-old boy. He went on to save 26 more people from drowning in the River Tawe. Among the recognitions for bravery he was given were a silver collar, a silver cup from the Lord Mayor of London, and two bronze medals from the Dogs Trust.
Where you can see Jack today: Jack’s memorial can be found on the Promenade in Swansea.
9. Fido
Known for: Faithfully waiting for his master for 14 years
Country: Italy
Breed: Italian crossbreed, half pointer
Lived: 1941 – 1958
Another dog famed for his loyalty (his name literally means “Faithful”), Fido probably started life out as a street dog. He was adopted by a man named Carlo Soriani. Every evening, Fido waited at the bus stop for his human to return home. When Carlo died during an aerial bombing in WWII, Fido continued to wait at the bus stop every day for the next 14 years.
Where you can see Fido today: A statue of Fido is located in the Piazza Dante, Borgo San Lorenzo, Tuscany, Italy.
10. Laika
Known for: The first animal to orbit the earth
Country: Russia
Breed: Mixed
Lived: 1954 – 1957
Laika’s story is a sad one. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev wanted to launch a spacecraft in celebration of the Russian Revolution’s 40th anniversary. It was decided a dog would be launched into space as well.
After training a group of strays, Laika was selected for the mission.
On November 3, 1957, Sputnik 2, with Laika on board, was launched into space. Although she wasn’t expected to live through the mission, she survived long enough to orbit the earth. She died from overheating shortly thereafter, and her body disintegrated 5 months later when the ship reentered the earth.
One of Laika’s doctors and trainers later expressed regret over sending Laika into space.
Despite the apparent cruelty of the mission, and in spite of the many recognitions Laika later received (including books, websites, movies, and even a Martian crater), her most significant contribution was to provide critical data to show that life in space is, in fact, achievable.
Where you can see Laika today: A statue of Laika is located in Star City, Moscow, the training facility for cosmonauts.
11. Gabi
Known for: Preventing a jaguar from escaping the Belgrade Zoo
Country: Serbia
Breed: German Shepherd
Lived: 1980s
Gabi was adopted by the Belgrade Zoo, where she became a member of the security team. One night, a jaguar escaped from its enclosure. Gabi fought the animal long enough for police to be called, preventing the jaguar from escaping the zoo and saving the life of her human companion.
Where you can see Gabi today: Gabi’s statue can be seen at the Belgrade Zoo. The inscription reads, “Dog Gabi, her heart was stronger than a jaguar.”
There you have it! Which loveable canine is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!
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