The top dogs
★ BARMY TV pooch Prince could only say “sausages” with help, according to the former That’s Life! hosts.
We revealed yesterday how the “talking” dog which found fame on the programme in 1979 only “spoke” because its owner Paul Allen was gently squeezing its throat as it growled.
★ But never fear, JAMES MOORE has unearthed more tales of paw-mazing mutts to keep you believing in the “Rex factor”…
Clever boy: An American Border Collie called Chaser was once dubbed the “world’s smartest dog” as it could identify 1,022 toys – by name. Another US dog, a Jack Russell named Maggie, appeared to be able to add and subtract. Britain has its own canine genius, a Shih Tzu called Cooper. He can solve shape sorters as well as a toddler.
Leading the pack: A US dog called Halo became a YouTube star after showing he could stand on two legs to sink balls on a pool table using a cue. Hanzo, a German Boxer, learnt to surf in California, while Tre T, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier from Ukraine, can do parkour.
Flying fur real: For a 2016 reality TV show called Dogs Might Fly, Shadow a rescue dog, learned how to pilot a plane. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier-Collie cross, pictured, even managed to pull off a figure-of-eight at 3,000ft while accompanied by a human instructor. Highway hounds: In an experiment by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New Zealand, three dogs Monty, Ginny and Porter were taught to drive a specially adapted Mini Cooper, managing to stop, go, steer and change gears.
Pedalling pooch: Norman the Briard from South Carolina, in the US, made headlines after learning how to ride a bicycle in 10 weeks. Also famous for gliding about on a scooter, he mastered the ability to push each of his back legs down to begin the pedalling motion.
Meet the paw-cassos: A one-eared American rescue dog with an uncanny ability to paint was named Van Gogh, after the famous Dutch artist. The Pitbull-mix master has produced 60 impressive works and sold some. Banksy, right, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, from Bristol, raised £500 with his paintings. They included a version of Banksy’s famous “dog and cat” piece.
She’s a keeper: Footballing Purin, above, a Beagle from Japan, has been known to save 14 shots on goal in a minute and holds the record for the fastest 10metres travelled by a dog on top of a ball.
Pup there with the best: A rescue crossbeed called Alfie, of Cheltenham, Glos, has been nicknamed Ronaldog for his ability to dribble, balance a football on his head and even sidestep a ball to confuse opponents. Howl’s that? In 2015 a dog called Lady Xena on Belgium’s Got Talent TV show, wowed the audience by crooning along to Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You.