Lassie and Rin Tin Tin-Can: One of Their Decedents Can Join Your Family
The Answer is Both Yes and No
Be careful, though. There is only one place to get a Rin Tin Tin decedent and one place to get one who can claim Lassie as his or her ancestor. Anyone else saying they have a true Lassie or Rinty decedent is, to put it mildly, stretching the truth.
The current Rin Tin Tin line is a closed breeding program which means if you get a pup, you agree to have it spayed or neutered and to never breed the animal. This is to keep the blood line as pure and problem free as possible. Any new blood line brought into the breeding program has to pass a rigorous examination including DNA testing to make sure the animal does not have genetic problems. As of now, the line is being carried on by Rin Tin Tin X, who is identical to the original Rinty. Rin Tin Tin XI is the son of Rin Tin Tin IX and was born in July 2009.
Getting a Rin Tin Tin puppy is not easy. As a matter of fact, you have to register way in advance and wait for the puppies to be born. You have to fill out a questionnaire stating why you want a pup and describing your home. You also need to be able to travel to Crockett Texas to pick up the pup and sign a contract where you agree not to breed the dog.
As for Lassie, the current one is Lassie ten, a direct decedent of the original Lassie, who's real name was Pal, and yes, she was really a he. There are no plans to breed the line in the near future. The only reason a Lassie decedent is bred is to create a successor, to keep the line going. The Lassie line does not meet the qualifications for and AKC dog either. They are bigger than the breed regulations allow. Lassie is a tradmarked name and the only dogs that get to carry the name have to have the same physical characteristics as the original- a sable and white collie with 4 white feet, a full white collar and a white blaze up the nose. Once in a while, dogs are available and as with Rin Tin Tin, you have to agree not to breed the animal, have to pass a test and there is a long, long waiting line.
Published by Regina Sass
I have been writing, editing and doing advertising online for 10 years. I have been a gardener for more than 50 years. I am a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. View profile
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