Viking Dog Names

Bamse was a Norwegian dog that personifies the very definition of what it means to be a Viking dog. The Norse pooch was fearless and won the hearts and admiration of those around him. During World War II, Bamse was the mascot of the Norwegian ship Thorodd. His name, Bamse, translates into ‘Teddy Bear’. The dog was a beloved companion of Captain Erling Hafto. 

When Norway looked as if it was about to fall under the onslaught of the German military forces, Captain Hafto and Bamse escaped with the crew aboard the Thorodd. They set sail for the UK. The ship would be used as a minesweeper off the coastline of Scotland.

Bamse grew very fond of the crew and when the ship was under fire the fearless dog could be found standing by the front gunners wearing a steel helmet. During downtime, when the crew was allowed to go ashore for a bit of rest and relaxation they would insist on taking Bamse. Bamse would wear a sailor's cap and stroll beside his crewmates. They even purchased him a bus pass so he could ride in style beside them. He loved riding the bus and would often board it by himself. He would always climb to the top deck so he would have a bird's eye view.

The large dog with Viking ancestors was not like most dogs. He enjoyed frequenting the local pubs beside his crewmates. While at the pub, he would sit at the bar and enjoy a beer. If a brawl broke out that involved his humans, he would silently warn the aggressor by placing both of his paws on the man’s shoulders. He even saved the life of a crewman who was attacked by a man wielding a knife. Bamse pushed the man into the water to protect his human friend. Once, while the boat was at sea, a crewman fell overboard and Bamse bounded over the rail following him. The large, strong dog kept the man afloat until the crewmen could get both the sailor and the dog back into the boat. 

Captain Hafto was assigned to a new ship but the crew of the Thorodd pleaded with the captain to leave their canine friend with them until the war ended. It was agreed that Bamse could remain aboard the ship until the war’s end and then he would be returned to the captain. Bamse lived until 1944 when he suffered a major heart attack. He was buried with full military honors on the sand dunes of Montrose. The local school even closed so everyone could attend the funeral of the great and beloved Norse canine. Everyone wept at the dog’s funeral.

Evelyn Le Chene wrote in her book Silent Heroes, “There could not have been a more loving bond between two peoples, the Norwegians and the Scots, then that which Bamse created.”