Strongheart was a German Shepherd who rose to fame in the 1920s as one of the first canine stars of the silver screen. His real name was Etzel von Oeringen, and he was born on October 1, 1917 in Germany. He had a powerful build and an impressive pedigree, descended from a carefully bred line of German Shepherds.
Trained as an attack dog, Strongheart weighed 125 pounds (57 kg) and stood 26 inches (66 cm) tall at the shoulder. He was known for his strength and agility, which made him well-suited for action films. He starred in six silent films between 1921 and 1923, including The Silent Call (1921), Brawn of the North (1922), and White Fang (1923).
In addition to his film career, Strongheart also became a popular public figure. He appeared on magazine covers and toured with vaudeville shows. He even wrote an autobiography called Strongheart: The Story of a Wonder Dog (1927). The book detailed his life story from his humble beginnings in Germany to his rise to fame in Hollywood.
Strongheart’s popularity continued until 1929 when he died suddenly at age 12 due to complications from heart failure. His death was widely mourned by fans around the world who had come to love him as their favorite four-legged movie star.
Though he is gone now, Strongheart’s legacy lives on through his films and books that continue to be enjoyed by generations of fans today. He paved the way for other canine stars such as Rin Tin Tin and Lassie, making him one of the most beloved dogs in Hollywood history.
