WTF Happened to The Littlest Hobo (1979-1985)?

The Littlest Hobo is one of the craziest TV shows of all time. If you grew up in Canada during the ’80s and ’90s, you were undoubtedly raised on the adventures of this nameless German Shepherd, who trotted along from town-to-town, helping those in need. Throughout six seasons, the dog (billed as London in the credits, but actually at least four separate dogs) rescued children in danger, foiled a Soviet spy plot (yes - he fought the Cold War), prevented a plague outbreak, solved murders and helped innocent folks prove their innocence and more. Here’s the kicker - the dog didn’t have any magic powers or anything dumb like that. He was just a VERY good dog, albeit an incredibly intelligent one. It’s a fun piece of Canadian camp nostalgia that’s gained a significant cult following in the U.S. Tons of seventies and eighties character actors show up in various episodes, including Leslie Nielsen, DeForest Kelly, a VERY young Mike Myers, Michael Ironside and many more. And who can forget that classic theme song? “There’s a voice that keeps on calling me….”
In this episode of Gone But Not Forgotten, written by Jessica Dwyer, narrated by Travis Hopson and edited by Michael Robenault, we dig into this cult classic and explain why the Hobo is arguably movie and TV’s greatest dog ever!
For more MOVIE NEWS, visit: www.joblo.com
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#TheLittlestHobo #gonebutnotforgotten
00:00 Introduction
01:44 What is The Littlest Hobo?
05:00 The first - and possibly craziest - episode
10:08 Is that dog going to jump from the plane?
11:42 The Littlest Hobo Guest Stars
13:53 Hey - is that Mike Myers?

[@JoBloOriginals]

Hey guys! This episode of GBNF was made from suggestions from fans who emailed us demanding this show be covered on this series. If you want to make suggestions for future episodes of GBNF then e-mail [e-mail] and maybe we’ll cover your show!

[@ferox965]

Canadian here. You play that theme song to any of us in the 30 to 50 age range and you get tears. Busts me up every time I hear it.

[@ChristopherSimpsonEditor]

And if you play that theme to any of us in the 60 to 70 age range and we'll say, "What the hell is that? That's not The Littlest Hobo theme! :)

[@HeatherMcSwayde]

I think part of the reason the show will live in my heart forever is because it was a rare show that I could watch as a kid alongside my father. RIP Dad.

[@AduderReviews]

Can still remember the theme tune to this day. I'm 41 now. And must've watched it when I was about 5.

[@TheDreamfinder99]

There’s a voice…….

[@AduderReviews]

@@TheDreamfinder99 keeps on calling me, round the bend is where I'll always be. Every stop I make. I'll make a new friend can't stay for long just turn around and I'm gone again 😆 Maybe tomorrow..

[@bendyfanlol1]

MAYBE TOMORROW

[@starlord1637]

Me to 👍

[@jamiehalifax4954]

I'll want to settle down....

[@MustachePrince]

I always used to cry at the end, when he wonder off.

[@hadithi]

This show was a childhood favorite here in Kenya. I think of it often. Catchy theme song too. Thanks for this informative and nostalgic video essay.

[@keithmichael112]

that's what I came in to say, great theme song, up there with cheers and dr who

[@ferox965]

Canadian here. Didn't know that the Littlest Hobo reached that far. All the best from Canada.

[@Whiteshell204]

it played in Kenya...coool

[@SamtheCanuck]

Loved The Littlest Hobo as a kid. I was born in the early 80’s in Canada. Awesome unexpected video.

[@JayMeDee]

SAME!

[@quietprofessional]

Same here too. Love that pup.

[@808v1]

me too!!

[@tannerdowney2802]

Hope he finally got to settle down.

[@kikib8434]

Ditto - born in '80 in B.C. Loved this show as a kid, and the theme song slapped 😁🖤.

[@morelenmir]

He was very prominent on kids television during the 1980's in England as well! I think he could have been at least partially responsible for why Alsatians were such a popular dog to have in those days.

[@charliezobel511]

This has actually brought tears to my eyes, the wonderful childhood memories of watching the show more than 40 years ago here in the UK and the fact that our pets have always been an integral part of our family it’s impossible not to get emotional. Thank you for a wonderful video ❤

[@alexkelly8131]

Another Brit here. This song still has me in bits every time.

[@charliezobel511]

@alex kelly all the more poignant now as we adopted a rescue from Skopje, North Macedonia last week. And though she's very much a 'Heinz 57' mongrel she's definitely got a huge chunk of German Shepherd in her looking at her coat and build but she also some serious Husky in there too, as she's got those amazing piercing bluey white eyes the Siberians have.

[@lornbaker1083]

I'm thirty five and I still remember that tune. I can't even whistle the first few bars without breaking out into tears.

[@HadesandPoseidonpouchie]

Im 44 and this still makes me tear up. I used to watch this with my mom and Id be crying at the end of every series. I just wanted him to have a home xxxx

[@canuck21]

I'm Canadian and this show reminds me of home.

[@ReZerO100]

man, i remember watching this as a kid, i loved this show, 42 now and that theme song never fails to bring a smile. thanks for covering it.

[@NaneelQueenOfDarknes]

Of course! the theme song still makes me bawl like a baby XD Childhood fav.

[@hannahb6753]

As a 70's kid in the UK this definitely has a place in my memory hole

[@lloydevans9236]

As a Canadian, I grew up on this show. My eyes always get wet when watching dog shows, and I end up going through a few boxes of tissues. I loved the Hobo!!!

[@rowanchandler6841]

They need to put this version on as a DVD complete set.

[@Mithrandir39]

I watched the original series as a young kid in the 60's. Loved the show. Thanks for covering it. I have even seen the original movie you talk about many many moons ago

[@yourafatboyshadow]

Brings me back! Black and white TV, laying on the floor watching...

[@tbasparagi]

Me and my brother watched this religiously as kids back in Trinidad & Tobago. Because of the theme song we would call it "The Tomorrow Show"🤣

[@JenniferBealeunleashpr]

This is wonderful background on the show - thank you for sharing. The way Chuck trained his dogs was unique. There's only a few trainers who still continue this thinking dog approach.

[@robertmartin7726]

I had a big smile on my face, watching this and remembering. Great video!

[@Tonyal2012]

I'm 66 years old and sometime in my adult years I started asking people if they remembered a show called "The Littlest Hobo" and until I saw the reruns on KZbin I had never come upon anybody that could confirm my remembrance of my favorite dog here of my young childhood. Everyone in my class in grade school would talk about watching Lassie, but for me Hobo was my hero. I liked Lassie but loved Hobo. Thanks for your video. Tony.

[@shaider1982]

I watched this as a kid when I still had my first dogs with me. I like the lyrics of the intro in this show.

[@davidravenscroft1641]

Absolutely loved it....still whistle the theme tune most days now! Lol.

[@TheFearlessDave]

I used to watch this show in South Africa as a kid in the 80s. I'm 48 and the tune just popped into my head - played it and it brought a good ol tear to the eye. I was wondering what happened to Hobo - I always wondered where he came from, where he was running off to, etc... sad to learn that it's all a mystery.

[@squirrelgirl0612]

Childhood favourite for me. The theme song is on my playlist haha! The Canadian show Hudson and Rex is carrying on it's tradition quite well!

[@paddington1670]

You remember "The Racoons" too? that cartoon family of racoons

[@squirrelgirl0612]

@@paddington1670 Yes I do and it was another favourite of mine! Watched it every weekend I believe!

[@lazydaze3134]

I was born in 82 and never saw this. Gonna have to check it out. I love finding old shows from that time period I've never heard of.

[@TheDreamfinder99]

Best theme tune you’ll ever hear. Proper gets you right in the feels x

[@bobhill3941]

The littlest hobo was rerun starting in 2010 (when I discovered it) and it's still on now, still broadcast on CTV I'm a Canadian from Ontario and where I live, I'm close to all the locations and remember them. I just fell in love with the series, it was just so relaxing, cute, and well done. The film quality is still pretty good and I love the original ending from early '79.❤😊🇨🇦 Thanks for doing this, well done, a great review and critique. I agree, it should come back with Keifer and Donald Sutherland, Ryan Reynolds and the like.

[@user-bb2fi1im1r]

I'm 69 years old and I will always remember watching this show growing up and for the song I love it ❤❤❤ I would love to see the littlest hobo come back 💜 ♥ ❤ 💕

[@Charlie_Duz]

I had no idea there was a movie and a 60s series. Bloody loved the theme tune. Still know all the words.

[@FallenAngel9979]

I’m English and remember this show. Especially the catchy theme music…. Damn. So emotional.

[@davekennedy6315]

Ahh man, I still even remember the theme tune!

[@Cazameilia]

I watched re -runs of this in late 80s and 90s as a child. Benji and Lassie were the main other two canine stars of my childhood who I still adore along with London. Also watched a show based in Australia with a German shepherd main character called Kelly, never seen it mentioned anywhere since though.

[@hypasteve]

This was one of my favorite shows as a kid. So happy that you did a joblo on this 👍

[@ronatola]

Watched alot of this in the 70s as a kid. Also watched alot of The Incredible Hulk. They have a similar storyline, moving around and helping people and solving crimes. I wonder what it would be like if they got together!!!!

[@chuckynickolodean8420]

Absolutely, bring the littlest Hobo back, so I can show my two daughters, 17 and 21...

[@CountryBwoy]

I know of TLH thanks to one of my favorite canadian sitcom Corner Gas. Thank You Hank Yarborough

[@joeyank2451]

Me to

[@virgil3241]

Im from Canada, of course I remember this.🙂 We have a local radio station that plays the Theme song by Terry Bush every Friday morning. The main dogs name was London. Watching this video was just a rush of childhood memories coming back.

[@anotherpeasant]

I randomly sing the theme song all the time even still lol Theres a voice, keeps on calling me...

[@nickg1789]

Yes, yes and yes i'd love to see a remake. ..but just keep it as authentic to the original as possible 😊

[@chrishince8947]

Fantastic review!! A truly classic show, modern television can take a lesson from this series.

[@pawthecowboycorgi]

The original series was from the 60's. One of the original theme songs was from Jerry Scoggins - Road Without End. A brilliant theme song.

[@alexandrareyes1752]

I always cried at the end when the Little Hobo would say goodbye 😅❤ Great show 🩵

[@dickeysbar]

I absolutely LOVED this show as a kid

[@isolated_lizzy]

Grew up watching reruns on TV with my family and I'll always have the song buried into my head and I'm not mad about it 😂🩷

[@CaptainRetroStation]

As a Canadian kid from the 70s, this show holds a special place in my heart. What a pleasant, non-pretentious program! Simple, and sweet! However, I have lived long enough to become very cynical at the thought of "remakes". If they made this show today, the dog would have a backstory, complete with his birth, and separation from his family & owner (who gives him a name), thus explaining his journey across the country... to be reunited with his family.... because it's all about family. (ugh) It would be loaded with on-the-nose, ham-fisted political narratives, and far too many celebrity cameos. Nope. Don't do it. Leave it alone. Don't smudge his (non)name. Leave it as the charming Canadian show it is. Let modern audiences discover something from the past for a change. Come up with a new dog, if you want new adventures of a canine doing wondrous things in todays climate. See if PETA allows it. But, if you want the same, sweet thing... just watch the originals. Not a damn thing wrong with them.

[@ferox965]

It was a remake itself.

[@martyniner8893]

I agree 100%!

[@FrankBullitt390]

It could be done properly and the cameos as well as long as they were kept authentic to small Canadian TV show style about the dog and not them. The characters would be just that, characters but they'd just happen to be A listers there because they love the littlest hobo. Only doing it that way would work.

[@cholakuany5989]

I'm an immigrant from South Sudan and I love the Littlest Hobo, the best lonely dog that reminds me of me. Thanks for that great comment friend.

[@sarahh2072]

I watched this show a ton when I was a kid, it was on in the early mornings before school so it was one of the best options to pick when eating my garbage cereal lol

[@roddymac998]

As a child London was my hero. It was only as I grew into a teen I realised that everybody has got it completely wrong. They all used to be like aww I wish he had a home and generally people would talk about it sad. I didn't get this and argued what are you talking about it even says in the song the whole world is his home. Go with him grab a bag that's hobo style. Now this amazed me this idea of going and doing wotever you want in Ur own terms and time. Helping others but still being happy being true to itself. He is the littlest hobo and he isn't sad. He's well travelled smart caring and completely free. I guess he still is my hero haha

[@williamfarrell4754]

Loved this show 49 now and ive just playlisted series 1-6 and am wztching series one... U.K. says maybe tomorrow 😊

[@fatboydim.7037]

As a Brit I remember the Littlest Hobo, and the Kids of Degrassi Street. Top notch Kids import TV.😁

[@mattday2656]

I love this show, the theme song is etched into my genetic code from watching it so much as a kid, Littlest Hobo and Kids in the Hall imprinted on me in a big way.

[@StephenLeGresley]

Thank you so much for doing this video, I loved this show as a kid and still love dogs to this very day because of it :). Can you please do another pet themed video about the Canadian TV show "Katts and Dog"?

[@paulsandhu]

As a Canadian born in the 80s; of course I do. We all do.

[@mrboogedy7682]

London was such a good boy!

[@E_l_l_i_e]

The fact that he doesn't have a name is making me cry. The sad music at the start isn't helping.

[@JoBloOriginals]

Haha- he gets a new name every episode. Everyone wants to keep him, but he belongs to everyone and no one.

[@ferox965]

Canadian here. You play that theme song to any of us from between 30 to 50, you'll get us to cry.

[@btetschner]

Looks like a show I would like, very interesting concept. I am going to check out this show. Thank you for the video.

[@ferox965]

Us Canadians grew up on it. The theme song is enough to makes us break into tears.

[@btetschner]

@@ferox965 Sounds like a winner!

[@chimarleywai]

Best tv theme tune of all time

[@Sadet1991]

eps still get randomly played on TV where I live

[@Old-ded-memes]

Littlest hobo gives off Gandalf energy

[@bauhausbastard]

Yea the Littlest Hobo, one of those evergreen TV themes, there was a few from that period, but yes I always saw "the Hobo" (who's real name was London if my memory serves me right) was definitely an angel in K9 form, that theme tune man, always brings a tear to my eye, even as a kid I related to London.

[@HoboRoadrunner]

Being a hobo my self , awesome video. Something that should be pointed out too is all the dogs from the 58 film up to the end of the he 80s version of the show , were related to one another as they all came from the same trainer.

[@billr3053]

I'm glad you covered the original series 1963-1965, the black & white one. It's the one I fondly remember. One of the first TV shows I saw when I was 8-9 yo, just arrived in Toronto Canada from Germany. Another favourite was The Forest Rangers 1963-1965. I learned English by watching a lot of TV. The later colour Littlest Hobo ones were OK but their weird, cheap, blurry direct-to-video look turned me off. The dog looked less German Shepherd and more like an Alaskan Malamute or Siberian Husky. It looked like his face was touched up with paint.

[@jamesfrench7299]

It had such a low key style to it that drew you in. It was screened each afternoon on one of the commercial networks in Australia in the early 80s. Part of my childhood.

[@davidmcmahon4633]

Thanks for this. I've never heard of the movie or the shows. Guess it never made it to the channels I watched.

[@cyberfrank-bx2nv]

I liked that show, I had no idea it came from my country. yeah, I d see a new version as a good thing too. good show!

[@lesleyduckworth2415]

Dear Hobo so endearing and may the Lord bless your future efforts Les

[@MikeD974]

Hobo was 1 of the best shows when I was a kid still has awesome theme music I always thought the dog was called London

[@williamfarrell4754]

No that was his real name😊

[@MikeD974]

​@William Farrell the dog was called London says it on the credits

[@williamfarrell4754]

@@MikeD974 yes his real name... starring London.... he had no name in show he was called whatever he was called per series... in the forest fire they called him smokey etc

[@HelenCarberry-qo5hw]

Bring back this show very very good

[@joannewatts9892]

Wonderful commantary on ~ The Littlest Hobo . 🐕‍🦺 I've owned so many wonderful pets (me & my family )through the years , but I had a dog that looked almost dead ringer to Hobo , except Tasha was a female .🐺🐴🐕‍🦺Happy New Year from a new subscriber 🐰& happy year of the rabbit. !

[@1emmajones]

I just watched this the other day. Love it.

[@antdude]

Never heard of it. I watched Lassie back then in USA.

[@alisonauton4064]

BEST SHOW EVER.

[@ilcugginocanadese]

I was an avid fan growing up and I literally just had a OOOOOHHH moment about the 1958 Littlest Hobo! OOOOOOOOOH....

[@WilliamHaisch]

Never saw it. I always think of Hank Yarbo of Corner Gas when he calls a wandering dog “the littlest hobo”. Fun times.

[@joeyank2451]

Luv Corner Gas

[@ShaunSevon]

When Shows Had The Best Theme Songs..👌🏾#24Sev #Bosh

[@janetkizer5956]

The Hobo was definitely an angel, no question about it. :-)

[@kevincharbonneau5953]

Should a show like that come back? YES!

[@cholakuany5989]

We, Humans do need great friends like dogs to help us navigate this mean World. I love that show, 'The Littlest Hobo". I'm a former lost boy of Sudan and never TV before, but when I saw the Manchester United class off 1992 and the Littlest Hobo, I instantly fell in love. _Dear Humans, our World is what we make it. Money does not really make the World go round. I can see the point made by the likes of H. Musk and others that money is everything. The farmers are everything. Keep up the great work my dear farmers, because your products fuel our hungry, selfish cities across the Globe.

[@ferox965]

Canadian here. Grew up with this show. Had no idea this show reached that far. All the best from Canada.

[@debralerner8298]

i have always liked the original littlest hobo love the song from that era it has always stayed in my mind🙂

[@KingJamesBibleBeliever-de9fy]

I say YES bring back the littlest Hobo! Would have to get new German Shepards, cause the 80’s dogs are all gone by now.

[@user-nw9mz3vu3s]

This show used to make me 😢 cry 💦 i used to feel so bad for the dog. cause he did have a home 🏡 of his own..i know that's the point, but still (hey, i was a kid)..i wanted him to find a home..& a 👪 family 🐶..

[@TheCivilizedAnimal]

🇨🇦 Canuck here - His name was London ❤😊😊 black and white series had multiple dogs - London OD’d in 1987 after a decade of cocaine abuse ( more then likely he ate household medicine ) 😞😞

[@alankelly1001]

Ah, low budget Canadian television at its best. During the series run, I lived near the Rouge Valley area east of Toronto where the series was frequently shot (the area borders the city of Pickering and the former city of Scarborough, which was later absorbed into the city of Toronto). I even got to meet one of the dogs once.

[@kaycollins5885]

I was just a girl and loved watching the original series which was featured on our black and white TV. I didn’t know another version in colour was made as it wasn’t shown in Australia😊

[@TheHonoredMadman]

A show about a wandering dog that solves crimes? I should've been born a Canadian. I wish I would've watched this growing up

[@JulieS261]

I remember this show. It came on at 7pm on the station I watched here in Australia. It was good family entertainment.

[@exidy-yt]

Great choice. Born in Canada in the early 70s, I was the perfect age for the Hobo and it always seemed to be on when nothing else worthwhile was on the dial in the early 80s.

[@lemauntory2951]

I was born in 03, and sometimes I wish I was born in the 70s to really witness the hype and popularity the show had. But nevertheless, I’m glad I got the opportunity to watch the re runs CTV would show regularly on the weekends.

[@TheForgottenMagpie]

It was never a mystery what the littlest hobo was to me. He represented my favourite dog ..The German Shepherd, such intelligent heroic dogs!

[@patrickwhitaker5341]

There is a improv group here in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, at the moment that are reading synopsis of episodes then acting out the episodes.

[@dukey03]

I loved this show as a kid! Fun Fact: there actually is a 2 part episode called The Genesis Tapes where this scientist theorizes that Hobo is some sort of Meta-Canine and has all the paperwork and information to prove it. Hobo promptly destroys all the evidence and puts a stop to his experiments. My theory is that Hobo was part of Canada’s Weapon X Project

[@Whiteshell204]

*Animal Planet was playing it Mon-Fri in the afternoons in 2023..but now they've taken it off :/*

[@DeltaDemon1]

I thought this show only played in Canada. My father would love pouting out that there were different dogs used during a show. The show was kept going in reruns for years as I know people born in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and even the early 90s who loved that show as a kid.

[@Kiss_From_A_Rose]

Whyyyyy does the theme song ALWAYS make me cry though? every.time.

[@romariofaldes1036]

You gotta do ‘Little House On The Prairie’☺️ absolute classic show

[@gregmeyer9595]

I expected when you started about an interview with Vice from 2015 Hobo said "Woof.. woof woof, woof"

[@uremawifenowdave]

In the early 90s this would be on UK TV early on a weekend morning. It was just on after the Australian TV series “Prisoner of Cellblock H”. We would come in from clubbing, make a cuppa and watch The Littlest Hobo. Perfect viewing while the Speckled Doves, Mitzis or Snowballs were still making your eyeballs vibrate. Epic theme tune and happy, loved up weekends.😍😍😍

[@40g33k]

Had this in South Africa, even named my first dog Boomer.

[@WaterborneCamper]

Thanks so much for this one! I friggin loved this show when I was a kid! It's so cheesy in all the right ways. I'd love to see a video on another Canadian show, 'The Odyssey'! That one creeped me out growing up.