Rajah (dog) facts for kids
Rajah was a famous German Shepherd Dog from New Zealand in the 1930s. People called him "Methven's Wonder Dog." Rajah was special because he was the first unofficial police dog in New Zealand. He became well-known across the country for his amazing acting and for helping the New Zealand Police find things. He worked in many places on the South Island of New Zealand.
Rajah's Early Life and Training
Rajah was owned by Constable John Robertson. Constable Robertson was the only police officer in the small town of Methven back then. Rajah helped him with his police duties, even though he wasn't officially a police dog. This makes Rajah the very first police dog in New Zealand, even if it wasn't official.
Constable Robertson and his son, Ian "Robbie," trained Rajah. They taught him using a "search-and-find" method. This training made Rajah very good at finding hidden objects. This skill was super helpful for his future work.
Rajah's Important Work
Rajah's main job was finding things like hidden items. Sometimes, he also helped to locate missing people. During his time helping the police, Rajah only failed once to find what he was looking for. This was when he searched for a person believed to be lost near a railway line that was still being built. Years later, it was discovered that the person's body had been hidden inside a concrete pillar, which is why Rajah couldn't find it.
In 1932, a famous dog named Rin Tin Tin passed away. A movie company, Fox Film Corporation, thought Rajah was so talented that they asked if he could replace Rin Tin Tin. However, Rajah's family decided not to take the offer. They felt it was too big a change for them. Instead, they chose for Rajah to perform in shows around New Zealand, including in cities like Christchurch and Timaru. Rajah also continued his important work as a police dog.
Remembering Rajah
In 2008, the Ashburton District Council helped to start a fund. The idea was to build a monument to honor Rajah. The community loved the idea. On February 8, 2015, a bronze statue of Rajah was officially revealed. You can find this special statue outside the Mt Hutt Function Centre in Methven. It helps everyone remember the amazing "Wonder Dog."
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