Mixed Breed Dog Heros

With the Holidays fast approaching us, we like to add a touch of the *heart-warming* to go along with the *hearth-warming* atmosphere in your home. Best Friends likes to recognize the heroes of our furry world. Here's a list of our mixed breed heroes that may not have gotten the national recognition they so fully deserve for their gallant efforts.



In the melting pot of the world, mixed breed dogs are the most popular pets. They have proved time and again that they are just as good as purebreds. In fact, many ‘shrug’ dogs have performed some pretty impressive deeds.


Just a sampling of the dogs who recently earned titles through NAMBR (North American Mixed Breed Registry) are an Irish Wolfhound/terrier named Cassidy who earned the Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title in obedience in 2006, a Hound mix named Quincy who earned a Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX) title in 2006, and in 2004, a Border collie/terrier cross named Cheeta, earned her Utility Dog Obedience Trial Championship (OTCH) title, the highest level of obedience. These are only a few because there are too many to name them all.


Mixed breeds have been known to perform some pretty heroic deeds too. In 2004, in Winnet MT, Smokey Joe, a Blue Heeler/Aussie/Border collie mix received recognition for bravery in saving his owner from an angry cow. Smokey Joe, who was much smaller than the cow, attacked and diverted her attention while the owner escaped.


In 2001, in Richmond Dale Ohio, an Australian/wolf cross named Biyou, pulled her owner from an icy creek preventing his drowning and exposure.


Chips, of ‘Chips, the War Dog’ movie fame, was actually a German Shepherd mix. He was one of many mixed breed heroes of WWII’s Army Dogs for Defense program, who saved the lives of many soldiers.


Another particularly heartwarming story is that of Foxy, an ordinary 7 year old brown and white All-American mixed breed who was hit by a car and taken to a shelter where she underwent 3 surgeries and waited 16 long months for a home. At long last a lady saw something special in her and rescued the little mutt from the shelter. They lived happily until one night, in 2002, on their way out for the nightly walk, the lady fell down the steps and broke her hip. In spite of the waving flashlight beam, help did not come. Foxy and her lady lay in the cold for 1 and ½ hours. Foxy never left her side, and cuddled close to keep her warm. Finally Foxy began to bark incessantly until a neighbor heard the ruckus and came to investigate. Later the County legislator rightfully awarded Foxy with a bag of dog treats and a county proclamation in recognition of her heroic actions.


Another impressive story was told on the news, in December 2006, of an elderly couple who run a wildlife sanctuary in New York. On a particularly snowy night, they went to the outbuildings to check on the animals. The massive snowstorm felled several large trees while they were outside, blocking their path back to the house. That’s when Shana, a German Shepherd/wolf cross who they had rescued seven years earlier, came to their rescue. The huge dog dug and clawed through the brush, which took several hours to tunnel all the way to the house. She then went back, grabbed the couple by the legs, pulled them through the tunnel, under the trees and through an opening in a fence to the house. By then it was about 2 a.m. and power was out. Shana threw herself on top of them to keep them warm until rescuers found them the next morning.


Pretty impressive, indeed. And these are just everyday mutts like yours and mine, proving themselves in a pinch. Doesn’t that make you want to go hug your dog?


Courtesy of Joy Butler