YOU’VE got to hand it to these five pooches, they knew how to get around. From the bleak expanses of England to Australia’s dusty red soils and the Canadian wilderness these five dogs have been winning hearts and minds for generations in books, on television and on the silver screen. Some took buses, others jumped aboard time machines but they all seemed to have one thing in common: a love of the open road.
Red Dog
Red Dog could become the most famous Australian dog of all time. The movie of the same name, which is based on his adventures, has already taken home a swag of awards including best dog in a foreign film at the Golden Collar Awards in Los Angeles. Red Dog also won Best Film at the Australian awards in 2011. The real Red Dog on whom the movie is based was quite the traveller and wandered at length through Western Australia’s remote and dusty Pilbara region – he was nicknamed after the colour of the soil in that region. Winning hearts everywhere he had a statue erected in his honour in Dampier, one of the towns he frequented.
Pic: wikimedia.org
Littlest Hobo
The Littlest Hobo is the star of a Canadian television series that ran from 1963 to 1965 and again from 1979 to 1985. The stories revolved around a German Shepherd who wandered around helping those in need. Unlike Lassie, he didn’t stay put with anyone and always headed off at the end of the episode once he’d done his good deeds.
Pic: wikimedia.org
Lassie
Lassie, a fictional collie dog, is perhaps the ultimate traveling canine. The original dog that inspired the films and television episodes saved the life of a sailor during World War I. But the first fictional character made a long and rough overland journey to be united with the family she loves. A remake of this famous film, Lassie Come Home, was made in 2005.
Original poster. Pic: wikimedia.org
Toto
Another dog children have loved since he first came to light in 1900 is the fictional dog Toto from the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy’s faithful companion, Toto who travels with her in a tornado to Oz where she must journey further in order to return home. Toto remains at her side until she finally is able to click her heels and they return home together.
Dorothy and Toto from the Wizard of Oz
K-9
There aren’t many dogs that get to travel in time, but this robotic canine, a side kick of famed television time lord Doctor Who, takes it all in his mechanical stride. K-9 first appeared in 1977 alongside Tom Baker and was a feature until 1981. But he also returned for one episode with David Tenant in 2006 and had featured in The Sarah Jane Adventures offshoot (2007-11) and K-9 (2009-present).
Pic: K-9, wikimedia.org
If you love dogs [or even cats!], and travel, check out Lonely Planet’s excellent guide on bringing your pet on the road.
