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Bellybutton the Diving Dog Wants You to Celebrate National Dog Day

1 minute read

On National Dog Day, those who cherish their slobbering, four-legged friends take a moment to offer their companions an extra chin rub. Those who lack a puppy of their own can resort to the next best option: the treasure trove of dog photos that is the Internet. Even decades-old archives have much to offer, including these images of a 3-year-old German shorthaired pointer named Bellybutton, who captured LIFE Magazine’s attention in 1966 with his underwater agility.

Bellybutton was unique not for his swimming abilities, but for his willingness to dive to retrieve an object. Most dogs retrieve sticks and balls from the water’s surface, but Bellybutton would go as deep as 20 ft. and remain submerged for up to 15 seconds. He even practiced his skill on his own—one day, LIFE reported, “he dived unbidden into a lake and fetched his master a 10-inch catfish.”

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.

German pointer Bellybutton diving for a rubber bone in swimming pool.
Caption from LIFE. Bellybutton began swimming as a puppy but didn't take up skin diving until last May. He now will swim underwater for distances up to 20 feet. Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
German pointer Bellybutton diving for a rubber bone in swimming pool.
German pointer Bellybutton dives for a rubber bone in a swimming pool.Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
German pointer Bellybutton diving for a rubber bone in swimming pool.
Bellybutton reaches the pool's bottom to retrieve the bone.Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
German pointer Bellybutton diving for a rubber bone in swimming pool.
Caption from LIFE. A submarine bone-chaser.Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
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Bellybutton approaches the surface with his treasure.Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
German pointer Bellybutton diving for a rubber bone in swimming pool.
Bellybutton races against a human swimmer to capture the bone.Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
German pointer Bellybutton diving for a rubber bone in swimming pool.
Bellybutton exits the pool via the stairs.Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
German pointer Bellybutton diving for a rubber bone in swimming pool.
Caption from LIFE. On his way up from the bottom he surfaces with rubber bone.Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
German pointer Bellybutton diving for a rubber bone in swimming pool.
Caption from LIFE. Shakes himself dry.Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
German pointer Bellybutton diving for a rubber bone in swimming pool.
Caption from LIFE. Luxuriates in a triumphal rubdown.Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
German pointer, Bellybutton after a swim.
Bellybutton after a swim.Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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Write to Eliza Berman at eliza.berman@time.com