7. Nemo, the German Shepherd

Next on our list of the most famous dogs in history is Nemo. During the Vietnam War, the US Armed Forces used more than 3,500 military dogs to alert soldiers in case enemies were close.

Security Police K-9, Nemo A534, was among the dogs stationed at the Tan Son Nhut Air Base as part of the security detail. Often, these sentry dogs lost their lives doing their jobs.

In 1966, Nemo and his handler suffered several wounds after an encounter with two Vietnamese communists. The dog was shot in the eye, and the bullet left the side of his snout. Despite being hurt, Nemo kept any potential attackers away by lying across the body of his injured handler until military paramedics arrived.

Sadly, Nemo would never again be able to see with his right eye. Shortly after, the military retired Nemo, decorating him as a war veteran. At his death in 1972, the brave dog had inscribed on his tombstone, “The true measure of man’s Best Friend.”

Not only is Nemo one of the most famous dogs in history, but he’s also considered one of the greatest war veterans.

If you liked our article on the most famous dogs, you may also want to read 5 Best Police Dog Breeds That Stay Loyal to Their Owners.