I’m not from the generation who saw the original air dates of The Littlest Hobo, but I was—and still am—a huge fan of the reruns! It’s such a nostalgic and comforting show that takes place in what seem to be simpler times. There are definitely some unrealistic situations and cheese, but that makes it all the better!
If you’ve never seen the show, it follows a German Shepherd who travels the prairies helping people. He has no owner and is known only as The Hobo. The original TV show ran from 1963–1965, but the most famous run was from 1979–1985. Many celebrities guest‑starred on the show, including a young Mike Myers!
It starred London (the dog), along with a few other identical relatives. The training was pretty remarkable—even today. These dogs were smart! They were trained by a guy named Chuck Eisenmann, who was known for his incredible talent in teaching dogs to complete and remember multiple tasks!
Here are some of the most outrageous things The Hobo pulled off!
Parachuted an antidote into a town to save a poisoned child
Season 1, Episode 1
“Smoke”
Helped a Russian ballerina defect from the Iron Curtain
Season 1, Episode 4
“The Defector”
Exposed “Sasquatch” as a guy in a gorilla suit
Season 3, Episode 2
“The Secret of Red Hill”
Stole artwork from a mafia boss’s safe
Season 1, Episode 13
“Big Al and Sam Strawberry”
Exposed a con artist by finding written evidence
Season 2, Episode 10
“Fast Freddie”
Stopped hypnotic mind control by an evil therapist
Season 2, Episode 17
“Mystique”
Saved a child from a poisonous snake, an electrified car, and an earthquake
Season 4, Episodes 7 & 8
“The Spirit of Thunder Rock” (Parts 1 & 2)
Moved unstable WWII munitions before they exploded near children
Season 6, Episode 18
“Pandora”
Forced a hit‑and‑run driver to confess by marshalling evidence
Season 1, Episode 6
“Silent Witness”
Delivered a baby
Season 2, Episode 1
“Back to Nature
It will be forever an iconic Canadian classic show! Now please enjoy the amazing opening song….
