Here at Dream Dogs, we’ve been looking at celebrity dog owners. All of the pets that we have looked at have been famous by dint of the fact that their owners are famous, but what of dogs that are famous in their own right, standing on their own four paws?

Centuries of domestication and selective breeding have made the dog our closest pal in the animal kingdom. Of course, some would argue that cats are, but have you ever seen a cat wag its tail when you get home from work? Whether it’s someone who is lonely finding companionship in their pet, a child whose dog is his best playmate or a riot policeman, looking on in pride as his German shepherd sinks its teeth into a tie-dye shirt wearing climate protester, it’s not for nothing that we’re known as a nation of dog lovers.

Those with a close relationship to their pet sometimes find that their dog is very protective towards them. For some, this simply entails a daily barking session at the mail dropping through the letterbox, but for others it means them throwing life and limb in harm’s way to defend their master. Let’s have a look at the top five dogs that have done just that.

Rats

Known as the Soldier Dog of Ulster, Rats was an unassuming white and brown mongrel. He accompanied British troops out on manoeuvres day and night, including helicopter missions, and much front line action.

In fact, Rats became such a morale booster that he became a target for the IRA. He was run over, blown up, had his leg broken, was shot and had shrapnel lodged in his spine, but it didn’t stop him in the slightest. He had a nose for danger, and on many occasions he warned a patrol that something was wrong, saving lives in the process.

Rats was eventually given an army number. He was awarded a medal inscribed with ‘Rats, Delta 777’ in a ceremony attended by his whole company and a piper, who in his honour played Scotland the Brave. The plucky pooch was eventually retired to (more…)