the first Rin Tin Tin , found in a bombed out whole in the ground had registration papers handy?
this was in a kennel providing dogs for the German effort , based in Lorraine - a hot potato of a bordering area that had been ceded back and forth between Germany and France since the 9th century.
Part of the ever changing map of Europe being redrawn even in our modern day.
Qoute---
After Rin Tin Tin died in 1932, the name was given to several related German Shepherd dogs featured in fictional stories on film, radio, and television. Rin Tin Tin, Jr. appeared in some serialized films but was not as talented as his father. Rin Tin Tin III, said to be Rin Tin Tin's grandson but probably only distantly related, helped promote the military use of dogs during World War II. Rin Tin Tin III also appeared in a film with child actor Robert Blake in 1947.
Duncan groomed Rin Tin Tin IV for the 1950s television series The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, but the dog performed poorly in a screen test and was replaced in the TV show by trainer Frank Barnes's dogs, primarily one named Flame, Jr., called JR, with the public led to believe otherwise. Instead of shooting episodes, Rin Tin Tin IV stayed at home in Riverside. The TV show Rin Tin Tin was nominated for a PATSY Award in 1958 and in 1959 but did not win.
in my opinion -- not perpetuating the original line -- which was so early in the day almost all GSD would have had close , tight , genetic connections as one would expect in the beginnings of a "new" breed .
in my opinion -- perpetuating the benefits of a trade marked name .
GSD History
this said previously about detection ability is a complete contradiction
quote "but it's a rare thing that nobody really breeds for -- yet any dog with a good nose and a good mind can do it."
I see no evidence on the Rin Tin Tin web site where there is any effort made for any ability - the focus is colour and image,
sable, silver grey, white and black , black and white .
the original Rin Tin Tin was a dark sable .
enjoy this youtube with footage of the ORIGINAL
- the dog representing the "line" now , shown opening the day at the Stock Exchange is not even close to the original --
my opinion