Swansea Jack

In dog lore, we often hear of canine heroes. We have a whole genre of literature devoted to them, as well as “family films.” But the truth is there are real dog heroes out there.

One of these was a flat-coated retriever born in Wales in 1930. He was known as “Jack,” and his owner lived near the River Tawe, a perfect place for an aquatic dog like a flat-coat. There were docks nearby, and the dog had a perfect place to enter the water.

In 1931, when Jack was only about a year old, he saved a 12 year old boy from drowning. Less than a month later, he saved another person who had fallen from the docks. This rescue happened in the view of a large number of the public. He received a silver collar from the city government.

Swansea Jack.

It was said that he would leap into the water any time he heard someone calling for help from the water and haul them in. In his short life, he is rumored to have rescued 27 people. He was named Bravest Dog of the Year by the London Star in 1936, and he received a silver cup from the Lord Mayor of London and two bronze medals from the National Canine Defense League.

Unfortunately, like too many good dogs, his life was cut short. In 1937, he consumed rat poison, and the Swansea docks no longer had their guardian.

This is his burial monument:

Today, the people of Swansea are sometimes called Swansea Jacks. Supposedly, they get this name from this heroic dog.