There are many outstanding dogs in my family, and lots more I’ve known about, but I don’t expect there’ll ever be another like Skidboot.

Skidboot is a mixed breed (Blue Heeler and some unknown mix) who appeared one day on Animal Planet, and I, for one. will never forget him. What a dog!

Skidboot’s owner was a captivating, bow-legged, plain-speaking cowboy named David Hartwig, who had had no previous dog training experience. When Skidboot first came into his family in Texas, David’s wife, Barbara, resisted putting up with Skidboot’s then naughty behavior, but David wanted to give him another chance. And the rest, as they say, is history.

David’s communication with Skidboot was straightforward, and delivered in conversational English.  Sometimes, when David was instructing Skidboot as to what he wanted the dog to do, he would get down on the ground or floor and SHOW him.

This is from one of their TV appearances; this one was on Animal Planet.

Skidboot later went blind, but David continued working with him and enjoying his company. Skidboot finally died in 2007 at 14 years old, and he was buried on the ranch his celebrity helped his owners build.

A production company has bought the rights to produce a movie about Skidboot, and I hope they will unveil a blockbuster worthy of this magical dog and his remarkable owner.

In case you’re figuring out where your own dog(s) fit on the intelligence scale, here’s a list I saw recently that cites the 10 smartest, and the 10 least smart breeds using info and observations from obedience classes:

* The Ten Most Intelligent Breeds

Border Collie
Poodle
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Doberman Pinscher
Shetland Sheepdog
Labrador Retriever
Papillon
Rottweiler
Australian Cattle Dog

* Least Intelligent Breeds
Afghan Hound
Basenji
Bulldog
Chow Chow
Borzoi
Bloodhound
Pekinese
Beagle
Mastiff
Basset Hound

So there you have it. Intelligence is one of the best attributes a doggie can have, but you may have discovered there are others as well – like comic style, entertainment, courage, faithfulness, loyalty, and friendship.   Whatever the breed, enjoy your dog. Bow Wow!