We knew them as “the lads,” but as individuals, they were “Zeus” and “Apollo,” everyone’s favorite TV Doberman Pinschers. The pair were played by several different Dobies throughout the show’s run, this according to Larry Manetti’s book, “Aloha Magnum.”
In the beginning of Season One, three local Doberman Pinchers portrayed “the lads:” Two bitches named “Cola” and “Nohea”, and a male named “Joe.” When their trainer, Karl Lewis Miller, left the show mid-season, professional Hollywood animal trainer Scott E. Hart was brought in as the official animal supervisor for the show and he eventually eventually brought in his own dogs, two males named “Whiskey” and “Brutus,” and a female named “Dominique.”
At the beginning of Season Four, Scott was told that the dogs were being written out of the script because they were too expensive, but the “Lads” were saved by Tom Selleck and John Hillerman who didn’t want the show to go on without them. In 1987, two of the dogs were featured in a public service announcement bringing awareness to the dangers of leaving dogs in a hot car. You can see that PSA here below:
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Who owned those beautiful dobies
Good question, Margaret. At the time of the writing, we didn’t know, but perhaps we’ll be luckier if we try to find out again.