These Famous Dogs Left Their Mark on the World

Dogs are much more than just pets. They are steadfast companions who offer unwavering emotional support during the darkest times, bring joy when needed most, and shower us with unconditional love throughout their too-short lives. While many dogs hold a special place in their humans’ hearts, others have left a lasting mark on the entire world. Here are just a few examples of the extraordinary dogs who have bravely risked their own lives in service to the humans they love.

1. Judy

Only one dog has ever been registered as an official “Prisoner of War.” Judy was a mascot aboard the HMS Grasshopper when Japanese aircraft attacked in 1942. Miraculously, Judy and much of the crew survived and made it to a deserted island in the South China Sea, where Judy helped them find freshwater. Eventually, however, they were captured and taken prisoner by the Japanese.

One of the prisoners, Leading Aircraftman Frank Williams, cared for Judy. She returned his friendship by distracting the Japanese when they came to beat the men. Later, when the Allied prisoners were transferred to a ship bound for Singapore, they trained Judy to jump into a rice sack and remain still for hours so they could carry her with them. However, the next day the ship was torpedoed and hundreds of men died. Yet again, Judy survived and spent many hours helping others swim to safety.

After being recaptured, the Japanese planned to execute Judy. However, instead, the former commander of their prison camp officially registered the dog as a “Prisoner of War.” This gave Judy legal protection against execution and even made her eligible for rations. After the war, Williams brought Judy home with him. The famous dog was awarded the Dickin Medal for Gallantry.

2. Balto

Balto is famous for his role in delivering life-saving antitoxin to Nome, Alaska, during the severe diphtheria outbreak in 1925. Isolated from the outside world, Nome lacked sufficient antitoxin to treat its residents. Unfortunately, more medicine couldn’t be flown in as the harsh winter conditions made it too dangerous. Instead, a dog sled relay team, consisting of 20 mushers and over 150 dogs, transported the life-saving medicine 674 miles from Nenana to Nome. The journey was incredibly dangerous, marked by constant Arctic darkness, hidden crevasses, and blizzard winds that drove temperatures down to -85°F.

Leonhard Seppala, a legendary Alaskan musher, provided several dogs and led his own team for the largest portion of the journey. Gunnar Kaasen, one of Seppala’s employees, ran the final leg. As a last-minute addition to the relay, Kaasen rotated the lead dog on his team throughout his portion of the run. Consequently, it’s unclear which dog was actually leading when the team arrived in Nome on the morning of February 2, 1925. However, a staged press photo later that day featured Balto as the lead dog. Since then, Balto has been immortalized in films, books, historical accounts, and a statue in New York City’s Central Park. While Balto played an undeniably important role in the 1925 Serum Run, he only ran the final (and arguably easiest) leg. Though a courageous dog in his own right, much of the credit Balto received rightfully belongs to another extraordinary canine: Togo.

3. Togo

A lesser-known hero of the 1925 Serum Run, Togo ran the longest and most perilous stretch of the journey. Born in 1913, Togo was a relatively small Siberian Husky, weighing only 50 pounds. Despite his size, by the time he was eight months old, he became the lead dog of Leonhard Seppala’s team. Togo and Seppala faced brutal conditions during the 1925 Serum Run, traversing a remarkable 264 miles across the frozen Arctic — a distance more than two and a half times that covered by any other team in the relay, each of which averaged around 31 miles.

Their remarkable journey included navigating the treacherous Norton Sound. Thanks to Togo’s incredible instincts, the team shaved 42 miles off their intended route by crossing an ice pack. Togo skillfully guided the team through the darkness, sensing weak points in the shifting ice floes. At one point, Seppala tied a rope to Togo’s harness and threw him across the freezing water toward the shore to bridge the gap between two ice floes, allowing the rest of the team to cross to safety. When the line broke, Togo fearlessly plunged into the frigid water to retrieve it, ultimately rescuing his entire team. What makes Togo’s feat even more astonishing is that he was 12 years old at the time, an age when many sled dogs are already retired from service. He lived another four years, passing away at the age of 16.

4. Greyfriars Bobby

In the 1850s, John Gray, a night watchman, and his loyal Skye Terrier, Bobby, were a familiar sight patrolling the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland. Tragically, their constant companionship was cut short when Gray contracted tuberculosis and died in February 1858. Despite his master’s passing, Bobby’s devotion remained unwavering. Gray was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, and every day, Bobby faithfully stood vigil by his master’s grave. Bobby’s incredible faithfulness soon made him a local legend, drawing visitors who wished to witness the dog’s remarkable devotion.

In 1867, a new law in Edinburgh mandated that all dogs be licensed. Sir William Chambers, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, personally purchased a license for Bobby. For fourteen long years, Bobby continued guarding John Gray’s grave. The loyal dog died in 1872 and was buried near his master in Greyfriars Kirkyard. Today, a statue of this famous dog stands opposite the kirkyard as a lasting memorial to his extraordinary devotion and loyalty.

5. Sergeant Stubby

Sergeant Stubby, a Boston Terrier or Bull Terrier mix, was a famous hero dog of World War I, serving with the 102nd Infantry Regiment. Stubby’s story began when he wandered into a training camp in 1917. He quickly became the unofficial mascot, learning drills and bugle calls alongside the soldiers. He even learned to salute with his paw! When it was time for the 102nd to deploy for France in October 1917, the soldiers hid Stubby in an overcoat and smuggled him onto the S.S. Minnesota. Stubby helped boost morale by visiting soldiers in the trenches and offering comfort and companionship. He became an early warning system for the men, barking and biting sleeping soldiers to alert them to gas attacks and even approaching German troops.

In April 1918, shrapnel from a grenade injured Stubby, but he continued to cheer up other wounded soldiers in the hospital. He developed an uncanny ability to locate wounded men in the dangerous area between opposing trenches, barking to guide medics and leading lost soldiers to safety. Stubby even captured a German spy and held him until American soldiers arrived. After surviving 17 battles, Stubby was smuggled back to the United States. His wartime service earned him a lifetime membership to the American Legion, the Red Cross, and the YMCA. He became a very famous dog and marched in parades, attended conventions, and even met three U.S. presidents: Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, and Calvin Coolidge.

6. Belka and Strelka

In 1960, two mixed-breed dogs from Russia, Belka and Strelka, made history as the first dogs to survive an orbital trip into space aboard Sputnik 6. Initially, neither dog appeared to be moving when they reached orbit. However, Belka eventually began to vomit, and both dogs soon woke up. Their vessel completed 17 revolutions around the Earth, spending 27 hours in orbit with Belka and Strelka, along with a rabbit, two rats, some fruit flies, and various plants. These famous dogs helped pave the way for future human astronauts to safely travel to space.

After their groundbreaking journey, Belka and Strelka quickly became international celebrities, appearing in magazines, newspapers, and on TV. Strelka later gave birth to six puppies, one of whom played a unique role in Russian-American diplomacy. The puppy, named Pushinka (“Fluffy”), was sent to the White House with her own Russian passport after a tense meeting between President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Khrushchev. Pushinka lived with the First Family and even had puppies with another White House dog named Charlie.

7. Hachikō

One of the most famous examples of a dog’s unwavering loyalty comes from the story of Hachikō, a Japanese Akita Inu born in 1923. In January 1924, Hachikō came to Tokyo to live with Professor Hidesaburo Ueno. The journey to Tokyo was brutal on the young pup, but Ueno and his wife dedicated the next six months to nursing him back to health.

The bond between Hachikō and Ueno quickly deepened. Every morning, Ueno and Hachikō would walk to the train station for the professor’s daily commute. Then in the evening, Hachikō would return to the station to greet him. Sadly, this route was cut short after just a year and a half when Professor Ueno suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and passed away. Hachikō was visibly heartbroken and even crawled under Ueno’s casket during the wake.

Hachikō’s devotion to his original master never wavered. For 10 years, Hachikō continued his daily pilgrimage to Shibuya Station, standing faithfully outside the gate. In 1932, Asahi Shimbun wrote an article about Hachikō’s inspiring loyalty, and visitors from all over Japan came to see the famous dog. Hachikō’s faithful vigil continued until his death in March 1935. Today, a statue of Hachikō stands outside Shibuya Station, and a memorial service is held every year to commemorate his extraordinary devotion.

8. Smoky

While it’s pretty easy to imagine German shepherds and Belgian Malinois bravely serving in the military, one very special 4-pound Yorkshire Terrier defied all traditional “war dog” expectations during World War II. Smoky’s journey began in March 1944, when a soldier discovered her in a foxhole. Corporal William A. Wynne purchased her from a fellow soldier for around $6 (the equivalent of about $109 in 2025). Wynne then trained the small pup and taught her over 200 commands and hand signals.

Smoky became Wynne’s constant companion, sleeping in his tent, traveling in his backpack, and even sharing his C-rations. She was officially inducted into the 5th Air Force’s 26th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron. During her service, Smoky survived 12 missions and 150 air raids in New Guinea, a typhoon in Okinawa, and numerous Japanese kamikaze attacks aboard a ship. She even warned Wynne during an attack on his landing craft, which tragically killed several men nearby.

When the war ended, Wynne hid Smoky in his oxygen mask bag and smuggled her back to the United States. Smoky lived a full life with Wynne, passing away at the age of 14. In 2022, Smoky was posthumously awarded the Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal for her role as a World War II mascot. She also became known as the world’s first recorded therapy dog.

9. Roselle

The unbreakable bond between Michael Hingson, who has been blind since birth, and his guide dog, Roselle, was put to the ultimate test on September 11, 2001. Hingson was on the 78th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center when a hijacked jetliner crashed just 18 floors above him. Hingson and Roselle descended 78 flights of stairs through falling debris, smoke, and crowds of panicking people. During their descent, the pair encountered a woman on the verge of giving up. Hingson, Roselle, and others rallied around her, offering support and encouragement. Roselle even provided comforting “doggy kisses” to help calm the distraught woman.

Miraculously, Roselle and Hingson emerged from the North Tower just moments before Tower Two collapsed. As the cloud of dust and debris engulfed them, Roselle courageously guided Hingson through the chaos, leading him to safety as they ran during the subsequent collapse of Tower One. In the aftermath of 9/11, Hingson moved to California and began working for Guide Dogs for the Blind, the very organization that trained Roselle. Roselle also received the Award for Canine Excellence (ACE).

10. The Hero Dogs of 9/11

After the Twin Towers fell on September 11, 2001, more than 300 search and rescue dogs worked tirelessly through the aftermath at Ground Zero. These dogs, expertly trained in “nose work” to detect hidden items and people, climbed through burning debris and smoke, working in grueling 12-hour shifts atop unstable piles of rubble and amidst toxic air. For the first 27 hours, they pulled survivors from the wreckage, including Genelle Guzman-McMillan, who was the last living person to be rescued. Trapped beneath 30 feet of steel and cement, Guzman-McMillan was located by Trakr, a dedicated search and rescue dog.

Even as hope for finding living survivors diminished, the search and rescue dogs continued their work, locating victims who had perished. They also provided invaluable comfort and emotional support to stressed, devastated, and grief-stricken workers and family members. For many responders, the dogs’ comforting presence was the only thing that helped them get through the day.